Oakland University’s chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) held its Social Media Agency Spotlight & Conference Prep Meeting on Nov. 18 from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 234 of the Stinson Center, bringing together marketing students for an afternoon of entrepreneurship, planning and networking. The AMA chapter at OU provides hands-on professional development for students interested in marketing, business strategy and digital branding. Participation in national events is considered highly valuable for members seeking internships and industry connections.
Students gathered over brunch and heard from Chris George, co-founder and CEO of SubSummit, the largest conference dedicated to direct-to-consumer subscriptions. George, who has founded and acquired multiple ventures, including Moonlight Bingo and Gentleman’s Box, shared insights from his work in subscription marketing and social media management.
He spoke on the continued appeal of subscriptions among younger consumers, noting that the flexibility and personalization aspects of subscription models are considered major drivers of growth. George also described how building strong online communities can help maintain subscriber engagement and foster rapport, encouraging students to think creatively about how brands can adapt to shifting market demands.
George tied his advice directly to one of the meeting’s main focuses: preparation for a student trip to the upcoming 2026 AMA International Collegiate Conference in Chicago on March 12-14.
This year, the chapter hopes to bring 15 to 20 students to the conference. To qualify for funding and discounted pricing, students must complete a Google Form concerning travel and pay the $29 student membership fee by Dec. 1. According to the chapter, travel will likely be arranged by train at an estimated cost of $100 to $150 per person, with students sharing rooms in groups of four. Conference offerings include competitions like Perfect Pitch, which organizers emphasized as a low-pressure opportunity for students to practice public speaking and make industry connections.
A major portion of the meeting focused on fundraising for the trip. The chapter has set a $4,000 goal to support travel, lodging and registration costs, with each student aiming to raise between $250 and $300. George led students through a workshop on how to make effective fundraising appeals.
He said that asking for donations can feel uncomfortable, but by sharing personal goals and explaining how the opportunity could shape students’ futures, the request becomes more persuasive and meaningful. Students also discussed how the conference could help them network with professionals and gain practical marketing experience, brainstorming how to incorporate those strengths into fundraising pitches.
The chapter is planning several initiatives, including an influencer-style social media campaign, a sidewalk sale featuring donated items and an annual giving push with sharable QR codes. A December fundraising night is also being organized to allow students to support one another as they make calls, draft messages and track donations together.
AMA leaders encouraged chapter members to start developing fundraising strategies over the holiday season and to communicate early with friends and family who may be willing to contribute.
The meeting closed with reminders of upcoming deadlines and an invitation to continue discussing ideas over brunch. With entrepreneurial advice from George and a clear roadmap for travel and fundraising planning, the AMA chapter is positioning itself for one of its strongest conference showings yet.
