“Anybody can enter a contest to win a trip to Paris or London or Lower Belarus,” said Lee Wochner, Counterintuity’s CEO. “But why go through the hassle of airport security checks and lost luggage and trying to snag tickets to the local tractor pull when beautiful downtown Burbank is right at our fingertips?”

The lucky winner and a guest will receive an impressive package, including a day of private hob-nobbing with some of the Media City’s finest.

Burbank Mayor Dave Golonski will treat two guests to lunch, followed by a happy-hour toast to Burbank with Chamber CEO Gary Olson and staff. The Chamber will of course provide the wine plus an elegant 5-piece wine box courtesy of the Chamber.

But wait, there’s more! You and a guest will enjoy an overnight stay at Burbank’s boutique luxury Hotel Amarano; dinner at Picanha Restaurant; two tickets to see “Candida” at the Colony Theatre; a whopping $20 cash spending money, and reimbursed gas mileage. To top it all, off, your trip will be chronicled with a beautiful commemorative photo of the occasion from Photography as An Art.

Visitors to the Counterinuity booth will automatically be entered to win. In addition, the Counterintuity “Prize Patrol” will be roaming the conference floor.

Counterintuity, a full-service marketing, strategy, public relations and web design firm based in Burbank, is known for its “uncommon sense.” Says Wochner, “We leave the ho hum to others.”

As much as I hated writing those notes, I have to admit, we received extensive compliments from the recipients.  I learned early on how tickled they were to learn that we liked the sweater or that we planned to save the money for college.  I quickly caught on that thank-you notes made people happy, and usually resulted in bigger and better gifts the following year.

The art of appreciation will move to the front burner in 2009, as clients looking to reduce costs may analyze the benefits of your services.  Knowing their business is important to you can set you apart from your competitors and create trust and long-term loyalty.  Research shows it’s actually cheaper to generate more business from exisiting clients than to pursue new ones. And it’s important to note that recognition is not just for the holidays.  You can’t send a fruitcake at Christmas and ignore the other 11 months.

Do you have a well-planned, consistently executed “Client Appreciation Program” for your existing customers? If not, now is the time to start.  It could be as simple and inexpensive as handwritten cards when a client signs or re-ups with you; adds or expands business, or celebrates an anniversary as a client.  Skip e-mail if possible; personal greetings carry a more genuine message.  If you know a client is celebrating a life event such as a wedding or new baby, be sure to send your written congratulations — or sympathies when appropriate.   If your budget allows for coupons, rewards programs, referral incentives, small gifts, or client events, add those in.  Just be sure you’re doing something to recognize your clients regularly.

It takes mere minutes and just pennies to stand out in a crowd.  Now, when your crowd of competitors is likely dwindling, it’s easier — and more important — than ever to show your clients you value their business and your relationship. Just like I learned when I was a child, the mere expression of personal appreciation can have fringe benefits, both in life and in business.  Looks like mother really does know best!