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! :)