Did the NAPO Conference this spring leave you thirsting for more? Maybe you weren’t able to make it because the timing or location didn’t work for you. Or maybe you’ve never been to a conference and are a little intimidated about such a large gathering of professional organizers. If any of these apply to you, grab your calendar and block off November 6 to 8, 2009 – it’s time for you to go to Calgary!
It’s true! Professional Organizers in Canada (POC) are holding this year’s conference in Calgary, Alberta. I’ve never been to Calgary myself, but I know many people who live there, including several who relocated there from Ontario, so I’m sure it’s a great place.
Of course, visiting a new city is not the main purpose of attending a conference. As Elaine Shannon explained in her guest post, The ROI of Attending a Conference, there are four great reasons to go:
- To network with peers
- To further your education
- To make business connections
- To learn about new products and services
With its Vendor Expo, gala dinner, and educational sessions for all levels of professional organizers, the POC Conference offers unique opportunities in all of these areas. The group size, while still large enough to allow for plenty of networking, is much smaller than the NAPO Conference, so it should be a little less overwhelming for first-timers. I’ve attended five POC Conferences and each and every one was an amazing experience in terms of fun as well as learning activities.
This year’s keynote speakers include Chris Flett on What Men Don’t Tell Women about Business and Les Hewitt on The Power of Focus. Many of the session presenters are well known experts, some of whom have previously appeared on this blog, such as Wendy Davie, Janice Russell, and Christa Wagner of A Red Bench. For additional details, you can download a conference program.
Be sure to register by October 2 to take advantage of the reduced early bird registration fee. Discounts are also available from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Budget Rent-a-Car, and the Sheraton Calgary Eau Claire Suites where the conference is being held.
Apparently they’re not letting me wear my flashing deelyboppers this year but I still plan on having a good time!
Jacki Hollywood Brown´s last blog ..Tips for the New School Year
It wouldn’t be a POC Conference without you, Jacki!
I’m not sure I was there for the flashing deelyboppers, but I have a photo of Karen Shinn wearing a clown nose and purple boa – just in case anyone thinks POs are a stodgy bunch!