AIIP to Donate Children's Books to Baltimore Literacy Organization in Give-Back Campaign at 28th Annual Conference in April

Baton Rouge, LA (PRWEB) March 31, 2014

The Association of Information Professionals (AIIP, http://www.aiip.org) has selected the non-profit The Maryland Book Bank (http://www.marylandbookbank.org) for its 2014 conference give-back initiative. Each year, the association selects a charity in the host city for its conference. Last year, AIIP conference participants raised more than $2,000 in cash and in-kind donations for the Denver chapter of Dress for Success.

This year's event, "Chart Your Course in Charm City," will be held from Apr. 2 to 6 at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore on the Inner Harbor Baltimore, MD. AIIP members—business owners whose firms focus on information research and consulting services—will contribute to the essential work of The Maryland Book Bank with a children's book drive and donations.

The Maryland Book Bank is a nonprofit organization committed to providing vital educational resources to children and schools throughout Maryland. The Book Bank distributes more than 90,000 free books to children, teachers, schools and organizations each year. They work with more than 660 organizations to ensure that disadvantaged children have the books they need to become reading proficient from pre-K to the 12th grade. The Book Bank began as a component of Baltimore Reads, a nonprofit focused on adult literacy and education; it became an independent organization in March 2014.

For the second year in a row, AIIP President Jocelyn Sheppard has announced that her firm, Red House Consulting (http://www.redhouseconsulting.com/), will match up to $500 in cash donations received by April 1. This goal was reached in mid-March, so The Maryland Book Bank can expect to receive at least $1,000 in cash contributions from AIIP members.

"AIIP provides resources info-entrepreneurs need to thrive and remain independent for as long as they wish. With its focus on literacy, The Maryland Book Bank is a kindred organization. We’re pleased to be supporting them this year through our annual give-back initiative," says AIIP President Jocelyn Sheppard.

Donations from outside sources also are welcome. To make a donation, visit http://www.marylandbookbank.org/donate.html.

About the conference

AIIP's 28th annual conference features high-profile keynote speakers, plenary and panel sessions, as well as networking and social events for current and prospective information professionals.

Confirmed speakers include:

•     Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project and winner of AIIP’s 2014 Roger Summit Award
•     Paul Zurkowski, past president of the Information Industry Association, presenting a keynote address on information literacy
•     Karyn Greenstreet, president of Pennsylvania-based Passion for Business (http://www.PassionForBusiness.com), speaking on business-to-business marketing.

Plenary sessions include:

•     How to Remain Relevant and Maintain Value to Your Clients
•     Distilling Complex Data Into Effective and Informative Visuals
•     How the Convergence of Online and Offline Worlds Are Creating New Opportunities for Marketing

Panel sessions include:

•     Tips For Communicating Effectively With Busy People; How to Present Proposals and/or Findings in Ways that Keep Top Level Executives Engaged and Listening
•     The Infopro’s Early Years: Valuable Insights, Experiences, Lessons Learned as They Launch Their Businesses
•     Going International: Tips for Navigating Sources and Cultures When on Internationally Scoped Projects

In addition to the learning sessions, there are optional social outings and a volunteer meetup, pre-conference workshops on Wed., Apr. 2., free vendor training sessions on Apr. 3., and interactive roundtables and tips sessions.

"The conference is an investment in one’s business, in one’s network, in one’s skills," explains Ulla de Stricker, president of de Stricker Associates (http://www.destricker.com). "It pays off in spades. Money cannot buy the kind of bonds made at annual AIIP conference—bonds that turn out later to be life changing and pivotal for business."

For more information about the conference, contact Linda Stacy, conference chair, at conference@aiip.org. To register for the conference, visit http://aiip.org/discover/conference.

About AIIP

The Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP, http://www.AIIP.org) consists of more than 400 business owners from around the world whose firms provide research and consulting services across a wide variety of industries. Business research, competitive intelligence, market analysis, database development, training, and information management consulting are just a few of the areas in which AIIP members specialize. Some of the vertical industries AIIP members serve include scientific, medical, pharmaceutical, regulatory, information technology, education, financial services, manufacturing, nonprofits, and life sciences.

To serve its members, AIIP offers a Vendor Discount Program featuring more than 30 information industry partners and affiliates, hosts a members-only discussion forum, features cutting-edge articles and commentary in the Thought Center, provides a mentor program and other resources to info pros thinking about going independent, and publishes the quarterly "AIIP Connections."

For more information about AIIP, contact AIIP Headquarters, Baton Rouge, LA USA; +1 225.408.4400, email: office(at)aiip(dot)org.

Media Relations/Public Relations Contact: Jeff Mustard – cell: +1 954.801.8263; email: Jeff(at)TheBambooAgency(dot)com; http://www.TheBambooAgency.com.