On Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, NorthBay biz magazine and Bruce Burtch will present “Glowing Your Business: Building Partnerships that Serve the Greater Good” at the Sheraton Petaluma, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participants will learn how to maximize their organization’s marketing and community relations impact by creating strategic, cross-sector partnerships between nonprofit and for-profit entities that are focused on the greater good.

This is the first presentation/workshop on the development of such cross-sector partnerships ever to be held in the North Bay—and it couldn't come at a better time. There are many changes happening in the for-profit and nonprofit equation, what Burtch refers to as the “new normal.” For-profits are more carefully analyzing the funding they’re providing through philanthropy or community relations efforts to ensure their hard-earned money is being used to the best extent possible by the nonprofit recipients, and that they’re receiving benefits in return.

 The good news in all of this “new normal” is that it calls for a deeper relationship, more engagement and far more benefit to partnering organizations through the development of  long-term, multi-faceted partnerships rather than just events, sponsorships or other one-day-and-done relationships. That’s what this highly interactive, hands-on event is all about. The cost is $69 for businesses and $49 for non profits.

About NorthBay biz: NorthBay biz magazine is a Santa Rosa-based business-to-business, monthly publication serving Napa, Marin and Sonoma counties. With 38 years of local business news coverage, it’s the go-to publication for business leaders in the area, featuring original, top-quality journalism that dives deep into today’s most important business topics in an engaging way.

About Bruce Burtch: Called the “Father of Cause Marketing” by the Cause Marketing Forum and highly regarded for his innovative and creative win-win partnerships, Bruce is recognized nationally and internationally as a pioneer in the field of cross-sector partnerships and cause marketing. Credited with designing the first “cause marketing” campaign, between Marriott Corp. and the March of Dimes, more than 30 years ago, Bruce has worked with the United States Olympic Committee, American Red Cross, Xerox, Special Olympics, AT&T, and many more.