Challenge
ACG Chicago is the premier association and leading authority on mid-market strategic corporate growth, providing information and insight about corporate development, mergers/acquisitions and other growth trends in the Chicago metropolitan area. The group was looking to elevate its name recognition as the preeminent organization for the M&A professional and drive attendance to its largest annual conference, the Midwest ACG Capital Connection.

Among other communications tactics, ACG Chicago relies on its annual conference and monthly event publicity to build awareness and establish ACG Chicago as a resource for information on strategic corporate growth.

Our Solution
KemperLesnik created a 12-month strategic communications plan to: utilize local and national media to raise awareness and understanding of ACG Chicago among Chicago area mid-market dealmakers; position ACG Chicago spokespeople in the media as thought leaders on strategic corporate growth; and act as a media resource, disseminating opportunities as a member benefit. For the Capital Connection, Dr. Alan Greenspan was announced as conference keynote speaker to great fanfare and limited media access.

Results
The result of the yearlong campaign, including the successful promotion of the Capital Connection that generated articles in Reuters, AP, Bloomberg, the Chicago Tribune, Crain's Chicago Business and others, yielded print and online media impressions in excess of 70 million.