About the Club
The marketing, advertising and communications industry is constantly changing and continually re-inventing itself. Which is why in 2008, after more than six decades of accomplishments and traditions focused on creativity, public service, and professional and personal relationships, the Erie Advertising Club became the Advertising Federation of Northwest Pennsylvania.
As the AFNWPA, our goal is to maintain a forum where advertising, marketing and business professionals can network, exchange ideas, recognize outstanding achievements, and ultimately build a stronger business community. We welcome members from all over the northwest Pennsylvania region to take advantage of our professional and educational development seminars, community education and service projects, as well as social networking and professional recognition events. We’re constantly striving to improve our existing programs and add new ones to meet the changing needs of the local advertising industry.
Professional Education and Development
Throughout the year, we host events and speakers designed to enhance your professional knowledge and skills and give you an edge to stay competitive in this constantly evolving industry. In recent years, members have enjoyed educational events such as a three-day Adobe Photoshop workshop, speakers on expanding creativity and on-site tours of related industries such as International Paper.
To encourage and support college students studying to enter the advertising field and related areas, we assist area colleges and universities in the formation of college chapters of the organizations with benefits such as reduced membership and admission fees to Ad Fed speakers and educational events. Annually, the organization encourages outstanding students majoring in advertising/marketing related fields by sponsoring a scholarship competition.
Social Events and Professional Connections
Despite our educational offerings, we’re not all work and no play. We recognize that good fellowship and fun are important resources for the creative business that our members are about, and the Ad Fed provides abundant opportunities for socializing and networking within the professional community. This year, we’re introducing monthly happy hours that we’ve dubbed, “Creative Juices,” and also will offer luncheons, dinners, evening meetings and other outings.
Professional Recognition
The culmination of the Ad Fed’s yearly agenda is the announcement of the exciting ADDY® Awards competition. The ADDY Awards recognize the outstanding advertising and marketing work of area professionals in all media and genre. Ad Fed members, as affiliate members of the American Advertising Association, are also eligible to compete at the AAF district and national level competitions.