In the afternoon the group took an unexpectedly cold tour of the spectacular Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square followed by a Peking Duck dinner.

Tuesday's business meeting started off with an extraordinary presentation of the latest in digital marketing techniques by Chris Schaumann of Nokia.  This is the third time Chris has presented to ICOM and each time it is different and better.  Then I introduced the Boulder Digital Works as a resource that members could use to get and keep up to date on the digital marketplace.  I will get back to the members with specifics for BDW workshops.  DeAnna Moxley followed with a preview of the new ICOM web site.

After the "One Rino" coffee break, we spent the rest of the morning on new business.  I reviewed some recent global research about how agencies pursue new business with contributions from the members.  Peter Krivkovich and Karen Seaman of Cramer-Krasselt Chicago then gave a review of their winning pitch for the global Crocs account.  This is the first worldwide win by the ICOM agency network and could grow to involve many member agencies.

The afternoon found the members scrambling up The Great Wall.  Certainly one of the great wonders of the world when you realize it goes on for 5000KM.  After a credit card bashing at the Jade Factory the group had a Chinese dinner and a psychological evaluation by Dr. Vergani from Milan.

Wednesday started off with a report on our membership development in Africa by EMEA Regional Director, Patrick Walhain and Wale Adeoye-Famosa of Ghana.  Africa is a new and growing "frontier" for the ICOM network.  This was followed by a round table session of "What I learned from the Recession" lead by Bob Morrison of Atlanta.

The final business session was the Annual General Meeting where members discussed various ideas for improving attendance at our international meeting.

In the afternoon the group visited the iconic Olympic Village and the Silk Factory. 

The group departed Beijing impressed by all that is China and looking forward to next year's meeting in Toronto hosted by Quarry Communications.

You can review the presentations given in Beijing at the Members Only side of the ICOM web site in the Library section.  And, you can see photos of the event taken by the members at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rollinsville-CO/ICOM/36669414731.