Direct Hit: Next Stop, Orlando

This may seem like a bit much if you haven’t yet caught your breath from the DMA fall conference. But mark the following dates on your calendar: Dec. 5-8.

That’s when this year’s winter NCDM conference, co-sponsored by Direct magazine and the Direct Marketing Association, takes place at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando, FL. This year’s program features several extras.

First is the Database Marketing Medical Center.

Is your database giving you headaches or acid reflux? You can get a checkup by some top clinicians.

Tell them your symptoms. They will give you a diagnosis (of your database problems, not your acid reflux). It runs from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 6.

Want some entertainment after that grueling experience? Turn up on Tuesday for The Marketing Challenge. Three teams will compete to find the best solution for a problem posed by Gap Inc. The audience will pick the winner. It starts at 8 a.m., and again at 11:15 a.m.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to attend the Database Excellence Awards. Even if you don’t win one you’ll see what your peers are doing right.

And here’s a treat. This year’s keynoters are all going to discuss