Anyone can make a mistake, but some times those missteps are just too ironic to overlook. Sorry, but I just couldn’t pass up this one.

On Monday afternoon I received this email from the 2006 Email Insider Summit inviting me to their inaugural conference.

“I would like you to be our guest for the 2006 Email Insider Summit. As a Summit VIP, the cost of your airfare, hotel accommodations and conference registration will be paid for by MediaPost.

The Email Insider Summit Advisory Board has identified you as a senior level marketer or agency executive decision maker within your company. You are among a select few to whom we are extending this special VIP opportunity.”

Okay, so now I’m a VIP. Please, go on…

“Information-packed sessions will alternate with relaxing networking activities. Each morning attendees will share information and learn more about email marketing through general sessions, keynotes, research presentations, case studies, workshops, and panel discussions. In the afternoons the fun begins with golf, rafting and other activities that take advantage of the Arizona desert. As our guest, you will be expected to attend three VIP breakfasts to hear a one-half hour presentation by our conference sponsor.

The Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa, named America’s Top Resort for 14 years running, is home of the Email Insider Summit. In the heart of the desert, the hotel boasts breathtaking views of 1,300 acres of pristine Sonoran Desert, and unspoiled natural beauty and includes two championship-level golf courses, four swimming pools, a terraced tennis garden and lavish spa.”

Spa? Did you mention spa? Now you really have my attention. I have been feeling very stressed out over deadlines and could use some massaging. Plus, I’m feeling gloomy from the incessant rain here in San Francisco. And I do love the desert. Go on…

“The purpose of the Email Insider Summit is to bring the best minds in the industry together to share leading edge information and experience on email marketing in a think-tank environment, while exploring new technology, strategies and tactics for effective campaigns.

Hosted by Bill McCloskey, the first summit will be held in Scottsdale, Arizona on May 21-24th. In a tranquil mountain setting, over one hundred brand marketers and agency decision makers will network, discuss and debate, working collaboratively to improve the email channel, as well as their own marketing efforts.”

That sounds very educational. In my mind I nearly had my bags all packed, but being an ethical journalist I knew that I wasn’t going to attend on their dime. Though, I’ll admit that I thought about it for 1 or 2 or 60 minutes or so.

However, just to find out the scoop, and test my new found “VIP” status, I quickly sent MediaPost an email thanking them for the invite and asking exactly how I needed to proceed to make this happen.

Here’s the email that I (and many disappointed others) received just a few hours later.

“Dear Lisa:

We apologize if you received an email from MediaPost earlier today inviting you as our VIP guest to the Email Insider Summit. That email was intended to be sent to a list of 50 top brand marketers in the industry, that have already agreed to attend the event. The email below is the email that you were intended to receive. If you would like to be a part of the inaugural Email Insider Summit please read below about the summit and how to register. Again we apologize for the confusion and inconvenience that error may have caused you.”

Then it goes on about the conference. Strategies blah blah blah. Thought provoking yada yada yada. Effective email campaigns ho hum. Somehow I’m less interested when I’ve been stripped of my VIP status.

Ah, the use of email as a tool to successfully communicate and build relationships with customers…..

Let me know if anything is rubbing you the wrong way today. lisap@revenuetoday.com