The Long Island Marketing Networking Group Continues To Grow

During October 2008, several out-of-work Long Island marketers got to know each other at the employment center in Hauppauge. They informally discussed their situations and tried to assist each other with support and job leads.

Larry Drago of Smithtown then moved this informal gathering to the next level, creating the Long Island Marketing Job Seekers Group that met monthly to share ideas and provide support. After all these years, Drago remains a driving force behind the organization and he has spearheaded its evolution into the Long Island Marketing Networking Group. Membership continues to grow by word of mouth, through LinkedIn and other social media, and by welcoming both displaced and employed marketing, advertising and public relations professionals.

As the economy improved through 2016, Drago noticed that attendance began to dwindle at the monthly daytime job seeking group meetings. Since he always had planned to adjust the group’s focus from a gathering of job seekers to a broader all-inclusive marketing networking organization, Drago felt that a robust economy was the appropriate time to put his plan into action.

Transformation Benefits Everyone

The meeting schedule was changed from daytime to evening gatherings to allow working members to attend. The monthly gatherings feature guest speakers who provide their insights about timely topics that include global marketing, branding and the power of storytelling. From its first day through today, the Long Island Marketing Networking Group does not charge a membership fee or meeting fees.

The group has recruited new members from corporations and marketing/public relations agencies. Business owners also have joined to network and to learn more about marketing, advertising, public relations and other communications topics.

Members now number more than 200 professionals. They are associated with a broad range of organizations, including Altice USA, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, CA Technologies - a Broadcom Company, Canon USA, Globecomm and Hain Celestial Group. To support the growing membership, Drago created a Facebook group to complement the LinkedIn group.

Fun And Bonding

Besides the monthly meetings, The Long Island Marketing Networking Group hosts quarterly after-work networking events at local area restaurants. These events allow members to enjoy themselves while bonding and learning. Drago also has aligned the group with other industry related organizations on Long Island, including the well-attended joint networking events/mixers with the Social Media Association this past September and February.

To assist with group functions, operations and growth, Drago appointed Kevin Simms, a marketing and communications veteran, as the organization's vice chairperson.

“Over the years, I’ve truly enjoyed and benefitted from great content and conversations at the meetings as well as those that extended out into the parking lot and beyond,” said Simms. “I’ve forged valuable business and personal relationships with many talented people as a result.”

Drago is very pleased with the new direction for the group. The meetings and events have received positive responses from current members and many prospective members.

“Marketing professionals on Long Island need a forum to collaborate, learn and share their experiences,” emphasized Drago. “The level of talent in the group is astounding, and members are more than happy to learn, share and help each other. I look forward to spearheading the charge to keep the group on a growth pattern and provide a conducive environment for all marketing, advertising, public relations and communications professionals of all levels.”

To learn more about the Long Island Marketing Networking Group, contact Larry Drago at limarketingng@gmail.com .

_______

Mike Virgintino is the author of Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History, the story about America's theme park located in The Bronx. Published by Theme Park Press, it can be found on Amazon, eBay and Goodreads.