The 10^th Conference on Historical Analysis & Research in Marketing was held May 17 through 20, hosted by the John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising and Marketing History at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.  Forty-five participants representing four different countries attended the meetings and the consensus seemed to be that marketing historians do indeed put together the most interesting, fun, enjoyable conferences.

At the opening banquet on Thursday evening, Sanford Grossbart, Editor of the Journal of Macromarketing, gave a welcoming address that included a passionate call for more historical research in marketing.  Grossbart described what he called the collective amnesia suffered by many in the marketing discipline today and the important role in treating that amnesia played by marketing historians in the Journal of Macromarketing.  Grossbart encouraged CHARMers to continue their essential work.  The keynote talk by Richard Pollay gave an entertaining demonstration of the archival materials he has used researching the history of cigarette advertising and testifying in litigation against the major cigarette companies.

As has been our history, the quality of paper presentations at the conference was outstanding.  The marketing history of books, gas lighting, department stores, packaging, regulation, financial markets, electrical utilities, tobacco, alcohol, bathrooms, the internet, architecture, hair care, museums, and bicycles, provided just some of the subject matter for lively discussions that extended into the wee hours of the morning for some CHARMers.  One very special panel session featured William (Bill) R. Davidson and Roger Dickinson discussing their personal reflections on the great scholars and ideas of the marketing discipline during the last fifty years.  Those attending knew it was a rare opportunity to hear living history.  The Stanley C. Hollander Best Paper Award went to John Solow for his “Exorcising the Ghost of Cigarette Advertising Past: Collusion, Regulation and Fear Advertising” and the David D. Monieson Best Student Paper Award was presented to Leighann Neilson for “The Development of Marketing in the Canadian Museum Community: 1840-1989.”  Program Chair, Brian Jones, was particularly pleased to note that there were five papers presented by graduate students at the conference.

The recreational highlight of the conference was held at the Hartman Center on Friday evening when Arrangements Chair and Director of the Center, Ellen Gartrell, treated conference delegates to a buffet dinner and a sale of antique books and advertising tear sheets.  If you’ve ever seen a stampede at the opening of Macy’s annual wedding dress sale, you can picture the scene at Ellen’s book and ad sale.  CHARMers eagerly took advantage of the opportunity to add to their collections—to the tune of $1,500 which went to offset conference expenses.

The 10^th CHARM concluded on Sunday afternoon with the inaugural meeting of the Association for Historical Research in Marketing (AHRIM).  A fifteen member Board of Directors was elected including an executive consisting of Brian Jones—University of Prince Edward Island (President), Eric Shaw—Florida Atlantic University (Vice-President), Mary Carsky—University of Hartford (Treasurer) and Peggy Cunningham—Queen’s University (Secretary).  The site of the 11^th CHARM was confirmed as Michigan State University, to be held May 15 through 18, 2003.  Program Chair Terry Witkowski, Proceedings Editor Eric Shaw, and Arrangements Chair, Diana Twede, all promised that CHARMers would be “Romancing in Lansing” at the next conference.

Readers of RIM who have not joined the AHRIM may do so by sending the membership/subscription form found on the CHARM website at www.upei.ca/~charm.  The biennial membership dues of $50 include a copy of the 10^th conference proceedings.

We hope that everyone attending the 10^th CHARM found the meetings interesting and enjoyable and that they will all plan on returning in 2003 when once again we will create History.