Making a List, Checking it Twice!

If you're anything like me (and I suspect a lot of you are, at least in this regard), you tend to be a list-maker when it comes to tasks like packing for a trip. Since our excursion to Possibility City is less than two weeks away, my inner list-maker has already kicked into high gear! I'm mentally deciding which suitcase to bring, planning my outfits (yeah, I know guys, it's probably a girl-thing!), determining if I will REALLY use the Club 360 Fitness Center or if I can leave my running shoes at home, figuring out which audiobooks will have the best chance of keeping me awake on the 300 mile drive from home.

You get the idea.

Even if you don't WANT to admit to making mental lists, and your suitcase contents will be dictated as much by airline weight restrictions as much as your personal fashion sense, we felt that some helpful hints would be, well, helpful as you plan your trip to Louisville!

So in honor of list-makers across our Association, here are some packing tips for the 3oth ACCED-I Annual Conference!

Expect average high temps in the upper 50's and lows in the upper 30's (that's upper teens and zero-ish for our Canadian colleagues!). For some of us, that's a veritable heat wave for this time of year, for others, notsomuch. Dress for the weather, whatever it means for you! It appears that they've seen a bit of precipitation as well, so an umbrella may be a good addition.

Since ACCED-I is making every effort to "go green", you'll want to bring a flash drive to download the handouts/presentations. Also, while you'll still be able to check e-mail at The Buzz and the sleeping rooms do have wi-fi, the meeting rooms are not equipped with wireless.

If you still haven't signed up for your tours, be sure to contact the ACCED-I office or Mint Julep Tours (Call 866.986.8779 or email charlotte@mintjuleptours.com). Louisville has so many great opportunities that you won't want to miss!

The Act of Caring, benefiting Green Hill Therapy, will have THREE great activities, making it easy for you to participate in this annual charitable campaign. The first jewel in our Triple Crown is a supply drive. Green Hill Therapy has expressed an ongoing need for the following items, which can be tucked into your suitcase or carry-on and dropped off at the Hospitality Table in The Buzz.

• Black pens (these can be any type of pens, even if you have extra ones with your institution's logo)
• Postage stamps (a HUGE need for them, as they go through stamps like water)
  
• Tissues
• Construction paper
• Hand cleansing wipes/Hand sanitizing gel

The second jewel in our Triple Crown is our "Yankee Trade". Originally our silent auction, we have a great offering of items. Attendees can purchase tickets at $1 each or 6 for $5. Choose the items that interest you and drop as many tickets as you want into those items. Check out a few of the confirmed items that will be auctioned off!

• Disney package, including two nights at the Hilton in Downtown Disney (site of the 2011 Annual Conference !)
• Indianapolis Colts football, signed by Colts Cornerback Marlin Jackson.
• Taste of Illinois basket
• Goodie Bags from SUNY Institute of Technology
• And many more!
  

Finally, don't forget your "spare change" for the Penny Wars. Pennies will count TOWARD a region's total and all other coinage and paper money will count AGAINST a region's total. Bring both--pennies for your region and coinage/paper money for the other regions! Who will win the bragging rights for this third jewel in our Triple Crown?

Are you STILL wondering what should be on your "must pack" list? Be sure to bring your enthusiasm for all things "possible", and you're sure to win, place and show at the 30th Annual Conference!

Tour de Louisville

By now you've probably had a chance to look at the fabulous lineup of educational sessions that Annual Conference Chair Jack Raab and his team have put together. But just in case you need a little extra encouragement to make the trip to Louisville in March, the Hospitality Committee has put together some great entertainment options! Join your fellow ACCED-I members for a real Louisville experience on one of the following Saturday pre-conference tours:

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
Saturday, 3/20
2:00 pm
$10 per person


With their newly renovated and recently reopened Main Gallery, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is sure to hit a home run with all things baseball. If you're bringing your family, you should know that Nickelodeon recently named the Home of the Big Bat the "Best Tourist Spot" in town. This tour is sure to be a hit!

Louisville Glassworks
Saturday, 3/20
3:00 pm
$6.50 per person


If you'd like a more "artistic" tour, head over to the Louisville Glassworks. Located in the heart of Downtown Louisville, Glassworks is a multi-use facility. You can see glass artists at work, stroll through beautiful galleries, and maybe even try your hand at this age-old craft.

The Conference schedule was designed a bit differently this year, to give attendees the opportunity for free time on Monday evening.

Casino Night
Monday, 3/22
6-10 pm
$20 per person (includes transportation and $10 in slot play)


While there are plenty of "on your own" options to be had, if you'd like a group activity, just ask yourself "Are you feeling lucky?" Several shuttles (throughout the evening) will transport attendees to and from the Horseshoe Casino in Indiana. Vegas-style gaming, entertainment, great food, they've got it all!

Post-conference tours will be available as well, so as they say, come early and stay late!

Frazier International History Museum
Wednesday, 3/24
10:00 am
$9.00 per person

If you're a history buff, then this is the tour for you! Come face-to-face with 1,000 years of history through narrative, art, multi-media displays and more! You can see Daniel Boone's family Bible, the bow attributed to Geronimo, General Custer's ivory handled pistols, and even the "Big Stick" owned by Teddy Roosevelt.

Muhammad Ali Center
Wednesday, 3/24
10:00 am
$9.00 per person

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!" Famous for being a champion, the life of prize-fighter Muhammad Ali is on display at the Muhammad Ali Center. Although "The Great One" is no longer active in the boxing world, his legacy of excellence lives on through the two-and-a-half levels of displays highlighting the six prevailing values of Ali's life: respect, confidence, conviction, dedication, giving and spirituality.

College Tour--Southern Seminary
Wednesday, 3/24
8-11:30 am
$40 per member/$50 per non-member (transportation & breakfast included)

As is tradition, a tour of a local ACCED-I member institution will be offered. Visit the gorgeous campus of Southern Seminary. When you step on the campus of Southern Seminary you are surrounded by classic red brick architecture, similar to the Ivy League schools. Join your colleagues for a tour of this beautiful campus.

Other tours will be available as well, through Mint Julep Tours. Special prices have been set for ACCED-I Conference attendees. Reservations need to be made by February 19, by either calling (866) 986-8779 or e-mail, charlotte@mintjuleptours.com. All tours depart from the Galt House Hotel at Mint Julep Tours 3rd floor, Rivue Tower, Suite 326.
Check in 15 minutes before scheduled tour time.

Historic Louisville Tour
Saturday, March 20, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
or
Wednesday, March 24, 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Cost: $39 member/nonmember

Moonshine & Madness Tour
Monday, March 22, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Cost: $29 member/ nonmember

Six weeks! In just six weeks, we'll be gathering in Possibility City. Will you be joining the party?

Triple Crown

Regardless of the location of the Annual Conference, the Hospitality Committee always chooses a local charitable organization as the recipient for the Act of Caring. This year is no exception.

ACCED-I and Region 8 are proud to announce this year’s Act of Caring recipient. Since we will be in “Horse Country”, we’ve chosen a very appropriate charity.

Green Hill Therapy is a nonprofit organization based in Louisville which integrates occupational, physical, and speech therapy with hippotherapy (horse-assisted therapy) and aquatherapy, two dynamic treatment programs that address sensory-motor learning in special needs children. Their goal is "to help kids reach their full potential through proven, playful intervention."

The committee has created a three-pronged approach for our Act of Caring fundraiser. Our own version of the Triple Crown, if you will! Our first jewel is perhaps the easiest. Green Hill Therapy has a wish list of everyday office and art supplies. At the top of their supply needs right now are the following:

• Black pens (these can be any type of pens, even if you have extra ones with your institution's logo)
• Postage stamps (a HUGE need for them, as they go through stamps like water)
  
• Tissues
• Construction paper
• Hand cleansing wipes/Hand sanitizing gel
  

You can make a difference with these everyday items. Bring them with you to Louisville and drop them off at The Buzz.

The second jewel is a Silent Auction. The Committee is working to secure some fabulous auction items and we'd love your help! If you'd like to make a donation of auction items, please contact Lisa Salazar at salazali (at) lewisu (dot) edu or 815-836-5143.

The final jewel is our “ACCED-I Derby,” a Penny Wars fundraiser where regions will compete against each other in a horse race format. Bring your spare change. Putting pennies in your region’s container adds to your total, and putting other coins or bills in other regions’ containers will subtract from their total.

Who will win, place and show? Regardless, the Triple Crown winner at the Annual Conference is sure to be Green Hill Therapy!

Resolutions

Every year it happens. We make it through the Summer Conference Season, exhausted, but looking forward to a productive fall.

Then just about the time we feel we've recovered from Summer, It's January again and we're wondering wheretheheck the year went!

The media doesn't help the situation, with recaps of the "Year in Review". And especially this year, with "Decade in Review". I don't know about you, but those types of stories, while interesting, often make the perfectionist in me a little nuts thinking about everything I didn't accomplish this year (or this decade!).

That being said, we are kicking off a New Year. Did you make any resolutions? Set any goals for the upcoming year?

Maybe this is the year you decide to go for that CCEP designation? Or how about One-Stop Shop Certification?

Maybe you've decided to take the plunge and become more involved this year as a Regional Leader?

How about starting the year with a handful of resolutions you can easily complete in less than three months?

Here's a "Resolution DIY" to get you started.

I (your name here) resolve to complete the following in 2010:

1. Take advantage of at least one professional development opportunity.
2. Reconnect with old friends.
3. Sample great regional cuisine.
4. Donate to a worthwhile charity.

Now I know you're saying, "How in the world will I complete all of these in less than three months?!"

I have just two words for you.

Annual Conference

Yessiree, you can do all that by joining us in Louisville for the 30th Annual Conference!

Diana and the program committee have been working hard and have once again put together a top-notch offering of educational sessions. Heather Roden, Cindi Winowiecki, Kathy Walters and their team can't wait to show off the fabulous southern hospitality for which the area is known! This year's Act of Caring, benefiting Green Hill Therapy, will have a three-pronged fundraising approach, providing a surefire way for everyone to donate something!

Look for the brochure soon. In the meantime, you can register and book your hotel/travel NOW! With budgets tight everywhere, we have a couple of suggestions for saving money as well.

• Apply for one of the available scholarships. Act quickly, though. The deadline for scholarship application is January 25!
• Be an early-bird. Register by 2/19/10 to save $100 on the fee!
  
• If you're within a 300 mile radius of Louisville, consider driving. You can carpool to make the trip even more economical (and who doesn't like a good roadtrip with friends?).
• Find a roomie. The suites at the Galt House are only $20 more than the regular rooms, and have a sleeper sofa in addition to the two beds. There is plenty of room in the two-room suite for sharing space.

If you are having trouble securing approval to attend, check out this great information that the staff has put together on communicating with your administrators.

So back to the Resolution DIY...

I (your name here) resolve to attend the 30th Annual Conference in Louisville, March 21-24!

See y'all soon!

Midterm Break

With apologies to T.S. Eliot, I'm pretty sure that October, not April, is the cruelest month.

I don't know about your campuses (campii?), but we've got more than 125 events scheduled during October, including Homecoming activies, a Faculty Symposium and Philosophy Teach-In.

I get tired just thinking about it.

One of the things that always makes October bearable, though, is the start of the Regional Meetings. They're like our own private little "midterm breaks" that help us refresh and renew our collective professional spirits and help us push on to the end of the semester.

Here's the Regional Meeting lineup!

Region 11 is taking the early lead on October 4-6 at Harrisburg Area Community College (PA). Michael Baker is putting together a great programming lineup. Questions can be directed to him at mdbaker(at)hacc(dot)edu.

Region 2 is pulling double duty this year and is offering "two locations, one great day!" on October 8. They're run concurrent meetings at UC Davis and UCLA. Efficiency at its best. Contact Director-Elect Jason Walley at jwalley(at)ha(dot)ucla(dot)edu for more info.

The folks of Region 6 will be meeting up in BlueJay Country when they gather at Creighton University (NE) on October 15-16. Jana Ammon can provide more information for anyone who's interested. Contact her at janaammon(at)creighton(dot)edu.

A spin-off from the Annual Conference, Region 8 is adding an Act of Caring to their 2009 Regional Meeting, being held October 21-23. Their Act of Caring will benefit Kids Food Basket, a charity dedicated to attacking childhood hunger. Cindi Winowiecki will be hosting the meeting at Grand Valley State University (MI). Contact Cindi at winowiec(at)gvsu(dot)edu.

St. Mary's College of Maryland will play host to the Region 10 Meeting on October 22-23. Regional Leaders Rick Glass and Pamela Mathias are working hard to put together a great meeting for our mid-east members. Contact Rick at rglass(at)richmond(dot)edu for more information.

Marking the halfway point are those "Wild, Wild Westerners" of Region 4. They will be headed to UC Boulder for their October 23 Regional Meeting. From recent weather reports, they may have to make time for some skiing! Marci Healy or Marilyn Spittler have a great day lined up. Contact Marci at mhealy(at)guesthouse(dot)utah(dot)edu.

Moving around the far curve into November, Region 1 takes the lead at Seattle University (WA) on November 4-6. Kathleen Kelly and her crew would love to see the whole region for their meeting. She can be reached at kellyk(at)seattleu(dot)edu.

Running neck-in-neck with their neighbors from across the country , Region 12 will be gathering in the Green Mountain State. They will meet on November 5-6 at the University of Vermont. Regional Leaders Norma Charette and Shane Cutler are looking forward to a great meeting. Contact Shane at shane(dot)cutler(at)uvm(dot)edu.

Gathering on the campus of Duke University (NC) on November 8-10 is Region 9. In addition to enjoying the cameraderie and education sure to grow out of their meeting, maybe they'll be able to enjoy some of the great fall colors that the region has to offer! Questions can be directed to Jim Hodges at jim(dot)hodges(at)duke(dot)edu.

Region 5 brings us into the homestretch with their meeting in America's Dairyland at Ripon College (WI) on November 12-13. Kim Araya and her Region 5 leadership team are working hard to plan a great couple of days for this international region. Contact her at araya001(at)umn(dot)edu.

Crossing the finish line on November 19-20 is Region 7. Hosted by Trinity University (TX), this promises to be a big event...because everything's bigger in Texas! Contact Director-Elect Ofelia Dominguez at
odominguez(at)utep(dot)edu for details.

We hope that these fabulous fall Regional Meetings help train you for the "big race" in Louisville in March. The ACCED-I Staff along with Conference Chair Jack Raab and his team are working very hard putting together what promises to be a first-place program.

So riders, take your marks, because soon we'll be...

Party Hearty!

We've all heard it, right?

"What do you do for a living?"

"I'm a Collegiate Conference/Event Coordinator."

"Oh, that's cool! You get to plan parties all day!"

image courtesy of Photobucket

Uhm, right.

Does anyone really understand what you do? Your family? Your friends? Your university colleagues?

I'd venture to say no, not really. The only folks who really "get" our industry are other collegiate conference/event professionals. I'll never forget a first-time attendee sharing with me in Las Vegas about how she'd found ACCED-I online and immediately called her administrator and said "I have found my people!"

Networking is always one of the top reasons that folks give for attending the Annual Conference. Getting together with a few hundred of your closest friends, the only ones who really understand the nature of the beast that is our industry, and sharing successes, challenges, trials and tribulations is a highlight of the Conference.

While networking is certainly a significant part of the Conference, most of our administrators sort of frown on us jetting off somewhere to a professional conference to simply "network". They expect us to attend educational sessions and actually come back with some newfound knowledge that will somehow benefit our departments and institutions.

You've heard the phrase, "It takes a village to raise a child"? Well, it takes an Association to plan a party. In this case, it's OUR party. As you probably know, the Annual Conference sessions don't appear magically out of thin air. The staff and planning committee rely on YOU to serve a dual role at this party, both as guests and presenters! :)

Do you have in-depth knowledge on a particular topic, such as risk management? Are you an expert in contract development? Do your colleagues trust your impeccable taste when it comes to decor/menu planning advice? Have you developed a fabulous student staff training program? Do you have experience in dealing with the Secret Service on campus? Have you planned a few Commencement services in your time?

Your fellow party goers need you!

If you've not already, please consider submitting a presentation proposal for the Annual Conference in Louisville. If you have questions about presenting, feel free to contact the ACCED-I office. Our incredible staff there will be thrilled to address any concerns you may have!

Help us make this year's Conference the best PARTY yet! :)

Sliding Into Home!

While Louisville is certainly known for "the fastest three minutes in sports", we can't forget that it's also the home of the mother of all baseball bats, the Louisville Slugger.

If you're a baseball fan, you'll want to take some time during your stay (just not during the Conference Workshops, of course!) to check out the Louisville Slugger Museum. It's not far from our "home plate", The Galt House, and you can even take a tour of the factory. Personalized bats are available for purchase, but for those flying to Louisville, remember that you'll have to ship them home or put them in your checked luggage, as the TSA does consider a baseball bat a dangerous weapon (and not just in the hands of Jim Thome!).


As mentioned, our conference hotel is the Galt House. This lovely riverfront property boasts all newly-remodeled rooms and suites. As an ACCED-I conference attendee, you'll have a choice of booking either a suite or a regular room. This is a great option, as you can choose which best fits your budget. The suites, in addition to the regular 2 bed accommodations, have a sleeper sofa in the outer room, which could make sharing the cost much easier on the budget. The suite is also a great option if you'll be extending your stay as a family vacation.



Are you starting to see the "possibilities" for the 2010 Annual Conference? :)

Y'all come back!