Four months until the NFPW conference and I’ve already booked my hotel and flight. Next I’ll register. Why I am so eager? The conference affords me many opportunities, including:
Stretching: At this conference, NFPW members applied to be speakers on various topics. I frequentl
y speak on issues related to my profession, including on social media, branding and crisis communications. I agreed to be a panelist on crisis communications.
I also pitched a seminar on “The Brand of You.” I’m interested in coaching and decided that offering a seminar on this topic would force me to review all of my learnings, study some more and then create a presentation. My summer will be busy, and I hope it will be worth it to those who attend my session.
Networking: Our members have lots of knowledge and they’re just plain interesting. They also are always willing to share advice or simply listen. With social media, it’s even easier to stay in touch.
Learning: I’ve increased my knowledge about agriculture thanks to Jenni Latzke, Lori Potter and Barb Batie. The result is that for th
e past several years I have grown my own vegetables. This summer I may try canning. I’ve learned about book publishing and video editing. At an NFPW conference I first learned about blogging and thought, “I could never do this” and now I’ve been blogging for four years.
Exploring: One of the added benefits of NFPW conferences are the tours. The affiliates that host know the places to see and often can provide access behind-the-scenes. I’m looking forward to exploring Southern Utah.
Why do you attend conference? Please share as a comment to encourage others to attend.
Cynthia's Communique 
You are so right about the NFPW conference. I have attended the conference for more than 10 years –and at every one–I meet new friends and learn new ways of communicating. I had an experience in Alaska, my very first conference, that changed my writing life forever and affects me to this day. I met Jim Gottstein and his wife (Terrie) who had helped plan the conference. Years later, Jim invited me back to speak about “Izzy’s Fire” at the World Affairs Council in Alaska as a result of the “chance” encounter.
Joining Virginia Press Women, and subsequently NFPW, where I’ve been a member for over 30 years, has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life, both professionally and on a “friend” basis. I know that I can call on any member of VPW or NFPW to have fun, but I also know I can learn many things from each member. One of my greatest joys was spending a few days w/Ceceilia Green in Chicago prior to a speaking engagement. She opened her home, her mind and knowledge of Chicago–and, as always–her heart in an unlimited fashion. It doesn’t get any better than that!
NFPW Conferences are wonderful vehicles for learning, networking, broadening horizons and creating lifelong friendships.