As promised last month, we’re reaching out to give everyone an update on how the coronavirus is impacting our 2020 calendar. Unfortunately, there remains great uncertainty around the timing of when the U.S. economy will ‘re-open’ and what worklife will be like once it does. While there are pockets of optimism and hope in Asia and Europe where a few countries are carefully formulating plans for a slow roll-back to ‘normalcy,’ the outlook for America, especially the NYC environs, warrants ongoing caution for at least another month.

FCS PORTFOLIO AWARDS 2020

New York Governor Cuomo has today extended the State’s shutdown until May 15. As such, we are taking the conservative measure to again re-schedule the FCS Portfolio Awards Gala from June 17 to Thursday, September 3rd. The event will be held at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. We are very aware that this date is the eve of an often four-day weekend, celebrating Labor Day. However, we believe that weekend travel or vacation time around the holiday will not preclude the majority of our expected guests from attending the Gala and celebrating their well-deserved ‘night out.’

Since our March update, the Portfolio Judging process has been completed. A record-breaking number of entries kept our 25 judges quite busy as they whittled the list of 90+ competitors down to 54 winners, whose work has earned 193 trophies in 21 categories. To see the list of these finalists – as well as our esteemed judging panel – visit our awards page.

Table reservations and ticket sales will continue to be sold on our website, and existing purchases will of course be honored on September 3.

Sponsorship opportunities remain in place and can be reserved at any time by contacting Kevin Windorf (first come, first served).

LIVE EVENTS

You can download here a list of events awaiting a new date (pending availability of speakers and venues) along with events booked from July 20 through year-end. This document is updated regularly and can be found on the homepage of thefcs.org under the FCS EVENT CALENDER 2020 link.

VIRTUAL EVENTS & ONLINE CONTENT

The FCS, as well as our Young Members Circle, is currently working with several member firms, including media partners and creative agencies, on co-producing live and recorded events (e.g., interviews and presentations with senior marketing executives). We are also looking to publish relevant articles on our website, which would be supported via social media and emails to our national database. If you’re interested in participating in either program, please contact Kevin Windorf directly.

It is our goal to make our virtual events available to members only. So now is a good time to ensure your membership is current. Questions about your membership status can be emailed to Vanessa Sandri.

MEMBERSHIP

Did you know that current members can download the FCS Member Directory from our website? Just log-in and go to MY ACCOUNT / DASHBOARD / DIRECTORY.

Although membership is only $100 a year ($50 for YMC), we offer group discounts and/or free tickets to select events for companies with 5 or more members. For more information, contact Kevin Windorf.

JOBS BANK

If you're looking to hire a marketing, communications or media professional, please consider posting your job description on our website's Jobs Bank.  It’s free. Just email the information (Word doc preferred) to Kevin Windorf. Include a link or email address where candidates should apply.

If you hire someone through the FCS, we will offer both of you one year free membership.

As an organization, we are very focused on helping our members find employment when needed, fulfill their career aspirations for growth, and constantly learn as they advance within the industry. We do this through networking, our content events and our Mentoring program.

MENTORING

We encourage our current mentors and mentees to self-determine whether to extend their participation through the summer. The FCS will open up the Mentoring program by August and launch a new “class,” beginning in September.

PHILANTHROPIC MISSION

During this unprecedented time of uncertainty, our mission of Community, Education and Philanthropy remains resolute. While we will strive to keep our membership connected and informed virtually, we are concerned about the seven children’s charities we currently support. We all know that such organizations are especially challenged during economic downturns. Until our full slate of live events is reinstated, the best way you can support the FCS and our mission is through your membership dues … and encouraging your colleagues to join as well.

On behalf of our all volunteer Board of Directors, Regional Board and various committee members, thank you for your continued support. Be well, stay healthy, stay home. And when it’s time to come out, you’ll find the FCS waiting with a great slate of events and speakers.

We look forward to seeing you again.