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Mingle Brings Magazine Professionals Together

By Craig Gustafson, editor, InnoVision Health Media

Richness of state’s industry provides energy at 2012 event

If the lights along Washington Avenue in Minneapolis seemed a little brighter last night, you can bet it had something to do with the energy in the air at the Loft.

The atmosphere was nearly electric as ideas, experience, and opportunities flew between the magazine professionals and freelance writers in the room.

In fact, the room was so engaged that moderator Hervey Evans of Erazmus, Inc., had a hard time quieting the crowd to give away the door prizes.

Tatum Fjerstad, a copywriter for Thompson Rueters who came looking to gather information about the industry and make contacts for freelance assignments, had a successful night. “I talked to about four or five people that I picked out of the crowd or had the matchmakers help,” she said. “The matchmakers were awesome. I felt like I was able to make eye contact, engage with the people, get a card, and get a feel for where their publication was at. Everyone was really honest and open.”

The matchmakers she referred to were a new idea for this year’s Mingle. A cast of established MMPA veterans acted as designated matchmakers. Even though the editors in attendance were identified and given an opportunity to introduce themselves and their publications, the matchmakers served as a continuous resource for providing introductions throughout the evening.

“The matchmaker concept worked beautifully,” said Susan Niemi, publisher at IFAI and co-chair of the event. “We were looking for better ways for people to break the ice, and there was incredible energy in the room tonight as a result of the matchmakers. I don’t think I saw anyone standing by themselves all night.”

Other attendees also gave the event high marks. “I was at this event last year,” said Ellington Miller, editor of Rochester Women Magazine and MMPA Board Member, “and I ended up with a couple of writers that I used over the course of the year, and I think that is going to happen again. This is always such a positive event, and my voice actually hurts—I don’t think I have stopped talking for two hours!”

At the end of the night, Marlenne Peterson, a writer from Rochester, Minnesota, summed up the event: “I learned more about Minnesota magazines in two hours than I could have in two days at the library.”

All photos Copyright 2012 DaisyMaeDesign