Jill Mellady

The Valley Industry Association is preparing for lunch with a side of marketing insights, when veteran marketing professional Jill Mellady delivers the keynote address at the organization’s Nov. 17 luncheon at the Valencia Country Club.

Mellady, president of Mellady Direct Marketing, will be discussing “Building a Better Business-to-Business Advertising Toolkit,” based on lessons she’s learned over the past 30 years of doing business in the Santa Clarita Valley. Founded by Mellady and her husband, Jim, as a home-based business, the company today is a full-service firm providing printing, mailing and marketing services at its 15,000-square-foot Valencia location. The company received the award for Business of the Year at the 2015 VIA Bash.

Her presentation will include an overview of the marketing tools available for businesses and how to build strong, integrated advertising campaigns that use both print and digital elements that get results.

“If you’re in business in the SCV, you most likely know Jill and have probably at some point done business with her,” VIA President and CEO Kathy Norris said. “She brings an amazing wealth of knowledge to the table and has built a very strong company that is a wonderful asset to our community.”

Mellady is also deeply involved in the SCV, serving on several nonprofit boards including VIA, the SCV Sheriff’s Foundation and the College of the Canyons Chancellor’s Circle, of which she is currently the chair.

The November luncheon is being planned, coordinated and managed by the participants of the 2015 VIA Leadership Program. Over the course of eight sessions, the program has featured presentations on important skills for leaders, ranging from ethics to communication. At the Nov. 17 luncheon, Leadership Program graduates will share insights they have learned over the course of the program.

The luncheon will include a VIA Spotlight from Alesia Humphries of The Signal. Spotlights provide an opportunity for VIA member businesses to present an overview of what they do.

Reservations are required for the luncheon. Members who reserve by Nov. 12 pay $45. After Nov. 12, the cost is $50 if seats are still available. The cost for non-members is $65. “No shows” or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance will be billed. There is a $10 surcharge for attendees without a reservation. The luncheon starts at 11:45 a.m. The Valencia Country Club is located at 27330 N. Tourney Road. The luncheon is sponsored by the City of Santa Clarita, LBW Insurance and Financial Services, UCLA Health, Poole and Shaffery, Mellady Direct Marketing, SCVTV, KHTS AM-1220 and Signal Multimedia. Reservations can be made by visiting www.VIA.org/Calendar or calling the VIA office at (661) 294-8088.

The Valley Industry Association of Santa Clarita represents business interests throughout the Santa Clarita Valley, providing members the opportunity to network and collaborate on a broad range of business issues. More information about VIA is available at www.via.org.