Bricks Without Straw has for several years worked closely with the West Virginia Manufacturers Association to optimize event promotion and support the constructive member interaction that characterizes each of the organization’s many events. As a strong advocate for West Virginia manufacturers, the WVMA prides itself in being the most effective advocacy organization for manufacturing in the state.

The WVMA annually convenes the Marcellus and Manufacturing Development Conference (MMDC) as a venue for West Virginia’s manufacturers to increase their knowledge and understanding of sustainability initiatives, economic challenges, and future opportunities for manufacturing growth throughout Appalachia. The 10th annual MMDC took place in June 2021. While people generally think of a conference as an event that spans only a few days, the weeks of advance planning and timely execution of details is a crucial aspect of any large, educational gathering. Jamie Summers-Brown and his team at Bricks Without Straw contributed the valuable “behind-the-scenes” design and presentation effort that helped to ensure that this year’s MMDC was a success.

Details, Deadlines, and Anticipation

The details of this year’s conference were managed entirely remotely due to Covid, but that did not prevent achieving numerous pre-conference objectives before essential deadlines. Kristen Harrison, WVMA Communications Director, considers Jamie a valued partner when it comes to implementing all the particulars involved in holding a conference. “You can count on Jamie to make sure your deliverables arrive in a timely manner. I never have to worry about him meeting a deadline or coming through for us.”

And to name just a few of the deliverables, Kristen notes that Jamie implemented everything involved in designing the conference website, online registration pages, printed programs, and sponsorship recognition boards at the event. She and Rebecca McPhail, WVMA President, appreciate Jamie not only for his timeliness in meeting deadlines, but for his ability to foresee all that needs to be addressed. This gives Rebecca and Kristen a great deal of confidence that even the smallest things matter and won’t be overlooked. In Kristen’s words, “Jamie anticipates what we need before we know we need it!” 

Redesigning with Perfection

One general purpose of any organization’s annual conference is to inform and discuss the new challenges and opportunities that have cropped up since the previous year. Although Jamie provides many of the same design and technological deliverables for the annual MMDC, he embraces the newness of it and makes the conference feel different each year by creating a clever redesign. “We hold the MMDC every year, and every year Jamie finds ways to enhance the conference and keep it fresh,” says Kristen. “His work has certainly evolved over the years.” 

Kristen also sees Jamie as somewhat of a perfectionist in his approach, though not in a way that unnecessarily prolongs or detracts from any goal. “He makes whatever he’s working on feel like it’s the only thing he’s working on.” Kristen’s impressed that part of Jamie’s perfectionism is his willingness to troubleshoot and that he’s always looking a few steps down the road to make needed adjustments.

Small and Mighty

One could say that Jamie’s work with the West Virginia Manufacturers Association demonstrates that small organizations solely focused on being effective tend to attract one another and thrive together. Jamie is passionate about serving small entities that make a huge impact, like the WVMA.  In addition to his comprehensive work on events, Jamie has helped to create the WVMA membership database and has designed business cards and signage at the office. Rebecca and Kristen are thrilled that the Bricks Without Straw team is a small outfit that provides unmatched, ongoing, and vital support to enhance the WVMA’s work. “Jamie provides support in so many different ways – we couldn’t do our jobs as effectively without him,” notes Kristen. “He’s already working on our next event!”

Jamie is a valued and professional asset to the WVMA team. His responsiveness and attention to detail are a necessity in the fast-paced world of association management. His ability to anticipate and react to our needs is above and beyond expectations– Rebecca McPhail, WVMA President

Bricks Without Straw is a digital agency and design agency based in South Charleston, WV United States and Ota, Tokyo, Japan.

We offer a range of web design services including: web development, e-commerce services and email marketing. We also offer a range of graphic design services including logo design and exhibition stands.

We love working with clients of all sizes in a range of industry sectors, creating and implementing inspiring and hard working concepts and campaigns for business-business and business-consumer clients.

Valicia Leary

Bricks Without Straw has continued to exceed our expectations with their design work, support and attention to detail. We would highly recommend their services. They have a wonderful team and we enjoy our working relationship with them.

Carol Fulks

Bricks Without Straw has continued to exceed our expectations with their design work, support and attention to detail. We would highly recommend their services. They have a wonderful team and we enjoy our working relationship with them.

Patti Hamliton

Bricks Without Straw is bringing our association into the 21st Century! He brings us ideas and innovation for our web site and other tools of technology that help us enhance our image and our message.

Rebecca McPhail

Bricks Without Straw has continued to exceed our expectations with their design work, support and attention to detail. We would highly recommend their services. They have a wonderful team and we enjoy our working relationship with them.

Bill Raney

Jamie is one of the most committed and energetic professionals we have ever worked with over the years. He seems to work all the time with full 24-7 accessibility and immediate response. Bricks Without Straw has raised our collective confidence for maximizing opportunities in today’s world. We simply could not have done it without them.

Jan Vineyard

The demands and responsibilities to our members mandate that the online presence of our associations and our internet capabilities are reliable and seamless. Add creativity to that mix and one gets the complete package with Jamie Summers-Brown and his staff at Bricks without Straw.