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Sept. 19-22, 2012. AHVRP is the Association for Healthcare Volunteer Resource Professionals, and their conference was apparently all about “achieving harmony through diversity”, a goal that “reflects commitment to collaboration in delivering education, professional development, peer networking and practical tools that help expand knowledge and enhance performance in achieving volunteer administration goals”. The main keynoter focused on “what makes us happiest and most resilient as individuals” – particularly in the world of volunteerism. Based on years of research into extremely happy people, the session explored how certain behaviors and attitudes create the most resilient personalities. There was also an exploration of the biochemical and bio-physiological impacts of specific behaviors on our health and personal happiness. So NOW are you happy?
Aug. 11-14, 2012. ASAE bills itself as “the center for association leadership”. This Association is all about… well, associations. And sustainability. 2012, we learned, is the fifth year that ASAE has integrated social responsibility into every level of its meetings and events. These efforts — which ranged from biggies like site selection to issues as minor as opting out of pre-poured water at a board dinner — demonstrated that they take their commitment to operating sustainably seriously. There was a clear recognition of the need for ASAE and the wider association community to help lead and grow the green meeting movement. The green meeting strategy aimed to “lighten associations’ environmental impact and give back to the host community in meaningful ways, while simultaneously providing service and experience to our attendees”. Hey, who just put a plastic cup in the paper re-cycling???
June 25-26, 2012. NACDA is the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. NACDA serves as the professional association for those in the field of intercollegiate athletics administration, and provides educational opportunities and serves as a vehicle for the exchange of information and advocacy on behalf of the profession. The overall aim is to develop a collegial and mutually beneficial relationship with the administration, faculty and students (i.e. potential future athletics administrators) in the sports management programs within the colleges and universities of North America. At NACDA’s Job Center, members of NACDA and its affiliate associations can submit their athletics administration job openings, view resumes, and contact individuals for employment openings. It’s all part of the “race to full employment”….
May 1-3, 2012. USFS is the U. S. Food Showcase, a meeting place for the buyers and traders who promote their food products in an international market. This trade show was specially crafted to promote food-related products and to increase the rate of export. The U.S. Food Showcase attracts buyers from every major market, featuring appetizing new products for virtually every category. Buyers could access a broad array of sector opportunities, from supermarkets and convenience stores to restaurants and food service companies to specialty shops, with products covering beverages, health foods, canned goods, dairy products, meats and snack foods. There were education programs in research, industry relations and public affairs, all mounted on behalf of 1,500 member-retailers and wholesalers. Makes you hungry just to think about it…
Apr. 3-5, 2012. You would not believe the things that plane-makers have to worry about these days. For instance, the use of composites in aircraft design can save fuel through weight savings and improve service life by eliminating fatigue and corrosion problems associated with metal airframe structures, but this creates the need to reevaluate existing repair and maintenance practices and to bone up on the composite repair procedures and life limit issues that composites/plastics present. As there are no agreed standards for these new materials, there are questions on regulations and training qualifications. If the technology isn’t adopted and integrated into the maintenance process effectively, then it becomes just another piece of hardware and just another project to add to the already over-tasked workforce. Up, up and… back to school?
Jan. 6-10, 2012. The ABA is the American Bus Association, and it represents the motorcoach, tour and travel industry. Actually the kinds of people at the show go beyond bus and tour operators, and include tour planners, hotel and motel-owners, attraction-owners (think Blue Man Group etc), and firms offering travel services. While you’re here, check out the ABA Entertainer Motorcoach Council, an organization of operators and leasers of high quality and professional motorcoach services on offer to the entertainer market, specifically those needing tour accommodations while they travel on the road from one performance venue to another. Entertainer motorcoaches commonly have sleeper berths, showers, eating areas, satellite television, and other luxury amenities. You know what? This bus is cool. Move over, Willie Nelson…
Oct. 05-06, 2011. Toys, toys, toys. So where were the goggle-eyed kiddies? Fall Toy Preview was not open to the media. No children (including infants) under the age of 18 could be issued show badges or permitted on the show floor. This applied to exhibitor and attendees’ children, child inventors, demonstrators, and consultants. Fall Toy Preview, you see, is the by-appointment-only event where toy manufacturers privately show their newest product lines to long-lead buyers. Exhibitors have to currently sell to mass market accounts, and they must show products for 4th quarter sales in the following year. There are rules, you know, even for toy-trade people! But that didn’t stop the inner kid from coming out in some of the sellers and buyers.
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