Hey all,
Today I received an email from the IDSA conference chair. I opted out of all IDSA emails several months ago because the noise to content ratio was really high. Why did I get an email? I opened and read it. I have pasted it below and bolded the parts that I am concerned about.
Dear Friend,
As Conference Chair for IDSA’s 2011 International Conference in New Orleans this Sept. 14-17 I’ve been helping get the word out about all of the great content, speakers and activities that we have planned. > It recently came to my attention however that you have been opted out of IDSA’s e-mail lists and so you might be missing out on the information IDSA has been sending out and the opportunity to join us.
Normally I would assume that the opt-out was intentional. However IDSA has heard from quite a few folks who had been inadvertently removed or who had intended to only opt out of PART of the e-mails and did not realize that once they opted out they would stop receiving everything including designBytes, studentBytes and any other communications that IDSA sends out through Constant Contact, it’s email provider.
So, I’m just dropping you a note from this account and personally invite you to attend IDSA’s 2011 International Conference, COMMUNITY: YOU.ME.WE. It’s being held in New Orleans from Sept. 14-17 – you won’t want to miss it!
Over the four days of IDSA’s International Conference, we’ll examine the importance of community across multiple layers of design, explore emerging social issues, investigate the decentralizing influence of online resources in manufacturing and distribution and the interplay between local and global participants and much more.
Never before in the short history of our profession has the audience for whom we create solutions been as much a part of the conversation. Whether we call it social entrepreneurship, service design, crowd sourced product development or social media–the dynamics of community are hard at work in the marketplace demanding new solutions and new methodologies.
So this year we’ve gone outside the discipline to gather ideas, to hear stories and to get in touch with what’s happening beyond the profession. I hope the lineup we’ve gathered will challenge your thinking and leave you inspired about the direction of our professional practice. In the meantime–work hard, enjoy the summer, watch a few episodes of Treme and lose those extra few pounds you’ve been lugging around–because come September, we will indeed “Let the Good Times Roll!”
Finally, If you would like to opt back in to IDSA e-mails you can use the following link to opt back in: Subscribe me!
Hope to see you in New Orleans!
XXXXX
Conference Chair
IDSA 2011 International Conference
Not only did they disrespect my choice to not receive emails, but they even spam me to subscribe back to the list. How can they use “you might be missing out on the information IDSA has been sending out and the opportunity to join us” as an excuse to email someone who said they didn’t wish to be emailed?
“IDSA has heard from quite a few folks who had been inadvertently removed”. Really?
I had expressed to IDSA directly when I opted out the reasons for my choice: lots of undesigned, repetitive emails with lengthy text that should be concise. I pointed out that they should look at emails from Gilt, etc. They are visually beautiful and I enjoy receiving them. Months later, I get this kind of email.
I’m not really sure what I’m trying to say: I think I’m just venting. Hopefully, someone who has some influence in IDSA will see this and make some changes. IDSA has so much potential to inspire with something as simple as a well considered email that’s short and has interesting and inspiring content.