About Us


KCDMA was founded in 1948 when direct marketing was gaining momentum but modern direct marketing had not been established. A small, dedicated group of professionals in direct mail united to protest an impending postal hike, led by direct marketing trailblazer Martin Baier (KCDMA’s first president).

Today, KCDMA has about 400 active members, including leading corporations, service providers, consultants and agencies.

Led by a 16-member Board of Directors, KCDMA is dedicated to bringing quality, cutting-edge educational opportunities to marketing professionals.

Throughout the year, KCDMA provides:

  • Monthly Meetings – Held typically the second Tuesday of the month, these sessions cover a range of hot topics in direct marketing and also provide a great opportunity to meet and mingle with other practitioners.
  • DM Days – Held annually, this high-powered conference features national experts so you can learn what’s working, what’s hot and what’s not. As part of DM Days, KCDMA also offers Pat Friesen’s highly popular, “Basics of Direct Marketing.”
  • AMBIT Awards – KCDMA honors top direct marketing campaigns through this well-respected awards program. Entries are accepted in early January, and honors awarded in March.
  • KCDMA Funraiser Golf Tournament – KCDMA tees off for a day of fun and camaraderie at this annual event, held in the summer or early fall.
  • National DMA Benefits – As a member of the affiliate DMA network, KCDMA members receive access to the National DMA job bank, special discounts for membership, events and products, as well as automatic Round 2 DMA Echo advancement (for winners of the local AMBIT awards).


KCDMA also provides a job board (members can post at no charge), a comprehensive online directory, a monthly e-newsletter Inside Direct and an opportunity to participate in the KCDMA Community Service Project.

Get Involved.
Meet our Board.

Learn more about the KCDMA, our history and who we are:
Past Presidents and KCDMA Award Winners.
Mission/Ethics
Kansas City Direct Marketing Educational Foundation (KCDMA-EF)