HOSTING THEIR FIRST in-person General Membership Meeting (GMM) since the pandemic, the San Beda Junior Marketing Association (SBJMA) of the Department of Marketing Management held GMM 2024 with the theme, “Sole for Soul – Marketing Soul Searching” at the Brooklyn Warehouse Inc. last March 9.
As one of the “biggest and most anticipated” events of the Department with its varying concepts, Asst. Prof. Greg Borja III, MBA, CPME, the Chairperson of the Department of Marketing Management and the Moderator of SBJMA, defined GMM as a “general assembly” for students that aims to both “welcome freshmen into the course and conduct the ceremonial passing of the key” from one president’s term to another.
Due to the pandemic, the GMM was stunted for three years, to which Prof. Borja stated how the Department has not been able to celebrate and welcome the freshmen “formally.” However, as the opportunity rose to continue and make up for the years lost, GMM 2024 was able to garner a head count of more than 250 student attendees, while having invited alumni Marketing Executive Board members from previous batches who couldn’t experience the key event. Gabriel Morales, the incumbent President of SBJMA, stated that three past presidents of SBJMA were invited, particularly those from the years 2019 to 2023.
Also fostering competition, the GMM is well known for giving Marketing batches a chance to showcase their creativity through how they approach the event. For this year, Prof. Borja explained that “we went for something that your generation, the Gen Zs, will be able to relate to, which is like ‘yung parang sneaker [convention].” And as such, GMM 2024 was themed after sneaker conventions, featuring informative discussions, street dance demonstrations, food distributors, and collectible exhibitions ranging from sneakers, clothing to Funko Pop figurines.
To ensure the event’s success, the team behind GMM 2024 had to overcome several hurdles. Morales listed two primary challenges namely preparation and searching for potential partners for the event.
“It’s really the preparation and how we will actually hype up the event. Kasi if you don’t hype it up, walang pupunta syempre…the second biggest challenge was finding people who would partner with us…It’s hard to get sponsors, partners, and even venue partners,” added Morales. Addressing these concerns, they promoted the event through different methods including teasers, DP Blasts, and Audio-Video Presentations, as well as secure a partner venue through Brooklyn Warehouse Inc.
Following the success of the activity, Morales expressed his gratitude to the board of directors of SBJMA, Mark Cruz, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bryant Custodio, Director for Internal Engagements, Kobe Santos, Director for External Engagements and Partnerships, Christelle Limbo, Director for First Year and Second Year Events, Patrick Enero, Director for Third Year and Fourth Year Events, Jasper Del Rosario, Director for Community Engagement and the entire executive board, junior officers, and junior executives of SBJMA Engage.
“Kung wala sila… and the entire department of marketing management, this event wouldn’t have been possible”, added Morales who anticipates everyone to look out for next year’s GM, affirming its future success.