The unofficial start to the 2008 Soaring to New Heights Conference began this morning with 8 great workshops from amazing speakers. I had the pleasure of sitting in on some of the workshops to get a taste of what current issues and trends are important to park and recreation professionals.

The morning workshops had a wide range of topics and learning outcomes from:

• setting goals and creating momentum
• leadership traits and maximizing leadership opportunities
• cutting-edge marketing tools and techniques
• human resource issues and handling employee relations
• achieving extraordinary results through happy and inspired people
• customer service and giving your residents what they want
• strategies for reducing behavior problems
• creating and implementing a vision-driven organization

There is no way I’ll be able to report on every workshop and session from here on out, but I hope those of you that attended can share insight on what you learned. The Conference is packed with so many great learning opportunities - share with everyone what worked for you, what you wish had been covered, what you’d like to see in the future.

Don’t forget to include the session number or title when commenting on this post. You can be anonymous too if you don’t want to share your true identity…we just want to hear from you.

With only a few days until the 2008 Soaring to New Heights Conference we hope everyone is getting excited. As you begin getting your bags packed, rescheduling your day-planner with “must attend” sessions, and working out dinner plans with coworkers…don’t forget to make networking a priority for yourself at this year’s Conference.

There’s more than just the Thursday night social, featuring the Libido Funk Circus, and the Saturday night event at the Field Museum to get excited about. Almost every night you can find some sort of social going on…from IPRA section socials, to university socials, to exhibitor socials. There’s really something for everyone looking to have a good time.

But these informal socials should be looked at more as networking opportunities instead of a reason to party. Use these socials as an opportunity to meet new people, share ideas, find prospective business partners…and perhaps a new job. When attending socials, be sure to bring business cards, be on your best behavior, be outgoing and fun, and take these opportunities to make a positive name for yourself.

Nobody wants to be “that guy” who’s been over-served and making a fool out of themself and their agency. Instead, be “that guy” who met some new people, discussed a great partnership idea and got an interview the following week. Networking is vitally important to your success. Make the most of these opportunities and have a great time!

Feel free to share information about your networking opportunity on the Conference site by posting a comment.

We want to inform you that there have been some changes to the 2008 Soaring to New Heights Conference Program Guide. Please be sure to make any necessary changes to your schedule. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

CANCELLATIONS
Session 322, Making Your Website ADA Compliant has been cancelled.
Session 426, Adventure Programming has been cancelled.
Session 517, Teen Programming/Transition Planning has been cancelled.

NEW DAY/TIME/ROOM
Session 17, Clean Energy: The Future is Now
New Room: Saturday, January 26 at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm; Moved from Crystal C to Regency C

Session 119, Open Meetings Act: The Sand Trap
New Room: Saturday, January 26 at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm; Moved from Crystal A to Regency A

Session 123, Freedom of Information
New Room: Saturday, January 26 at 10:15 am – 11:30 am; Moved from Crystal A to Regency A

Session 204, The Five Minute Marketing Plan
New Day/Time/Room: Friday, January 25 at 2:45 pm – 4:45 pm in Water Tower

Session 417, Before- and After-School Programs Open Forum
New Day/Time: Friday, January 25 at 9:30 am – 10:45 am in Grand Suite 2AB

Session 434, Positive Youth Development
Saturday, January 26 at 10:15 am – 12:15 pm; Moved from Crystal B to Regency B

Session 435, Building Asset-Based Youth Programs: Assets and Opportunities
Saturday, January 26 at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm; Moved from Crystal B to Regency B

Session 505, Behavior Management: Discipline or Social Skills Training?
Saturday, January 26 at 10:15 am -12:15 pm; Moved from Crystal C to Regency C

SPEAKER CHANGES
Session 109, How Your Agency Can Get a Fitness Checkup
Steve Scholten will not be presenting.

Session 117, Heavy Weight Title: Levy Ordinance versus Budget and Appropriation Ordinance
Adam Simon replaces Stephanie Posey.

Session 122, Foundation Development: How to Start a 501(c)(3)
Park Johnson replaces Ronette Real-McCarthy

Session 135, Nurturing Landscapes: Outdoor Stealth Exercise for Seniors
Geoff Deigan, President, WRD Environmental will be the presenter; Bob Schmidt is the session chair.

Session 137, New Software for Turf Grass Management of Parks and Golf Courses
Aaron Durnbaugh and Debbie Swartz replace Suzanne Malac and Tom Smith.

Session 138, Integrated Pest Management and Low Impact Turf Grass Management Strategies
Aaron Durnbaugh replaces Suzanne Malac.

Session 317, Put Time on Your Side
Cathy Carlo will not be presenting.

Session 908, Visuals that POP!
Marianne Bonds replaces Michelle Musillami.

OTHER
Aurora University will not be joining the Chicago State University and Western Illinois University Social on Friday, January 25 at 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm.

If you have not filled out the user-friendly Conference Planner sheet you may want to print one off and use it to plan your schedule.

During a recent staff meeting we discussed possible questions people might have while attending the 2008 Soaring to New Heights Conference. There are probably a million questions that we didn’t discuss or even think of but here is a listing of some of the most common:

I forgot my brochure – where are more located?
Conference brochures are available at the Conference Registration Desk.

I lost my name badge – where do I go for a new one?
You may get another name badge at the conference registration desk for $5.00.

I have lost my booklet of tickets for the conference events – what can I do?
You can re-purchase the tickets of your choice at conference registration. Friday luncheon tickets are $55, Saturday breakfast tickets are $40 and the closing event tickets are $85 for an adult and $25 for children 12 and under.

I am a volunteer where do I go?
Conference Headquarters and also the Conference Registration Desk, there will be a master list of all volunteers. The volunteer can ask and get directed to the appropriate area from there. They also will be given the name of who to report to.

I need to pick up my award – where do I go?
IAPD will be issuing out the 10 and 15-year board member plaques at conference headquarters. Community service awards have been mailed this year, so they are not at conference headquarters. Hours of operation for conference headquarters are: Thursday, 7:30am-6pm; Friday 7:00am-6pm and Saturday 8:30am-4pm.

Speakers: Where do I get my name badge and how can I get a parking pass?
Speaker badges are in the chair session packets, which are at Conference Hadquarters. The chairs will pick up the packets and present the speaker with their name badge prior to the session. If a speaker would like their badge prior to the day their session is scheduled, they may go to Conference Headquarters and request their badge and sign that they have received it. If a speaker has requested that parking expenses be reimbursed, the chair will present the speaker with a voucher at their session. This voucher is only valid at the host hotel (Hyatt Regency) and will need to be presented to the parking cashier or the valet attendant. If the speaker did not request reimbursement for their parking expenses within their agreement, they are on their own for parking charges.

I am a student who has volunteered and I would like reimbursement for my registration?
If a student completes their commitment of five hours and has pre-registered for the conference, they will receive reimbursement within 45 days of the conclusion of the conference.

Does the Thursday social have food?
No, the Thursday Evening Social offers a cash bar only. The Saturday Evening Social at the Field Museum will have plenty of food!!!

I need to make copies for my session, who pays for it and where should I go?
Copies can be made. Expenses for the copies made onsite will be the responsibility of who is requesting them. The Conference will reimburse copies made prior to the conference and submitted on an expense form. The conference will not reimburse for copies made onsite at the Hyatt.

Will there be transportation for the social and if so where and what times is it available?
For the closing event at the Field Museum, you must have a ticket to enter the facility. Tickets can still be purchased at Conference Registration. Shuttle service will be available beginning at 6:45 p.m. Delegates staying at the Hyatt Regency Chicago will load on to the shuttles from the Stetson Street entrance. Return service back to the hotel will begin at 9:00 p.m.

Where do I get my prize from the exhibit hall drawing?
Prizes are redeemed at the exhibitor registration area. Prizes can be redeemed only at the times the exhibit hall is open. Exhibit Hall Hours: Thursday, 2pm-6pm; Friday, 9am-11:30am and 1:30pm-5pm; Saturday 8:30am-11am.

If I win a prize in the exhibit hall, can I pick it up any day?
Winners must redeem their prize the day their name has been drawn. At the end of the day, any prizes that have not been redeemed will carry over. Prizes may only be redeemed when the exhibit hall is open. Exhibit Hall Hours: Thursday, 2pm-6pm; Friday, 9am-11:30am and 1:30pm-5pm; Saturday 8:30am-11am. You must redeem your prize the day your ticket has been drawn. On Thursday and Friday there will be no coffee served in the exhibit hall. There is a breakfast scheduled on Saturday from 8:30am-10am in the exhibit hall. Delegates who purchased a full package for the conference have a ticket within their booklet. For those who would like to purchase a ticket, one may do so at the conference registration for a fee of $40. This is a ticketed event.

Where is the conference next year?
The conference dates for 2009 are January 29-31, 2009 at the Hilton Chicago. Conference will be held at the Hilton Chicago in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Where can I find out where my reserved table is for the luncheon?
The reservation desk will be opened on Thursday from 3pm-5:30 pm and also on Friday from 9am-10am. If you have pre-registered for a table, a time has been assigned for your agency to choose their table. If you haven’t pre-registered for one, you may do so on Friday from 9am-10am for a fee of $70.

If you can think of any other questions you might have please post a comment on the site and we’ll be sure to provide a quick response. As always, feel free to direct any questions to IPRA or IAPD staff while at Conference.

The Illinois Park and Recreation Foundation urges everyone attending the Soaring to New Heights Conference to visit the Silent Auction and bid on your favorite items.  Money generated from the Silent Auction helps raise scholarship funds for students majoring in  recreation administation and related studies at Illinois colleges and universities.

Our goal this year is to raise over $9,000 in scholarship money.  Open your hearts and your wallets this year.  You can make a difference in a future park and recreation professional’s life…and walk away with sweet prizes!

Check out the list of items for bid by clicking here.  Booklets will also be provided to attendees in their welcome portfolios.

Delegate registration for the IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference has closed.  Conference attendees who need to register must do so onsite at the Conference Registration located in the foyer of the Grand Ballroom, East Tower/Gold Level.  Registration will open on Thursday, January 24 at 7:30am.

Today, January 4th, is the last day to register online for the 2008 IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference. It is also the last day to request a refund.

Registrations CANNOT be accepted online, by mail or by fax - and refunds WILL NOT be permitted after today.

Refund requests must be received via fax at (217) 523-4273 or emailed to bbodine@ILparks.org no later than 5:00 pm, Friday, January 4th. No phone requests please.

If you do not register by the end of today, you MUST register on-site at the conference.

To register for the 2008 IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference, please go to www.ILparksconference.com.