by Janet Dickelman
I'm writing this article on the flight home from Las Vegas! My wish is that all of you, whether in person or via ACB Radio, agree we had a very successful, fun-filled and educational 53rd annual conference and convention.
I hope you enjoyed all the workshops, programs, informative general sessions, tech sessions, focus groups and training sessions from our corporate sponsors and those wonderful tours!
As convention coordinator I keep my finger on the pulse of the entire convention; however, there is no way one person can undertake this alone. My awesome committee members make my life so much easier. They handle their responsibilities with passion, grace, enthusiasm and efficiency.
The convention committee consists of: Margarine Beaman, Sally Benjamin, Michael Fulghum, Vicky Prahin, Bruce Radtke, Michael Smitherman and our officer liaison, Carla Ruschival. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your help and support!
Our host committee, ably led by Rick Kuhlmey and Carol Ewing, provided convention attendees with information about local businesses, arranged for our opening session and morning session entertainment and clergy and so much more! Wasn't it exciting having the bell choir, bagpipers and barbershop quartet performing Sunday evening?
A very special thank-you to the Minneapolis office: Lane Waters, Lori Sarff, Nancy Becker and Dee Theien, who spend countless hours working on registration prior to and during the convention. Thanks to Maureen and Paula for coming on their own to the convention once again and volunteering their time in registration.
Tim and Maria of ScoopMasters, despite the heat and having to move a relief area, did an outstanding job of providing relief areas to our four-pawed attendees. Joel Snyder did an unexpected but outstanding job of on-the-spot audio description of the movie “12 Years a Slave.” Thanks to Joel and our photographer Leonard for handling an unfortunate situation with fast thinking and determination.
Giant kudos go out to our tremendous volunteers, who worked tirelessly to assist convention attendees. I certainly appreciated their positive attitude and courtesy. The Riviera staff was extremely helpful and accommodating. We really appreciate all the extra time you spent assisting convention attendees.
I'm always happy to hear from you about your convention experience. The "convention suggestion box" is open. Feel free to send me an e-mail or give me a call.
Now we're on to Dallas in 2015. Our convention home will be the Sheraton Dallas. Convention dates are Friday, July 3rd through Saturday, July 11th.
Staying in Touch
If you were subscribed to the convention announce list, you will remain on the list. You don't need to subscribe again. If you have not yet subscribed to the convention announce list, just send a blank e-mail to [email protected].
Feel free to contact me via e-mail or phone with any convention-related questions, concerns or comments: [email protected], or (651) 428-5059.