53rd Annual Conference Wrap Up

By Dawnell Claessen, Conference Proposal Coordinator

Policies and Procedures SIG had a great time at the 53rd Annual Conference in Las Vegas! Here is a summary of P&P SIG related or SIG sponsored events:

Sunday

Speaker Orientation Session. New Speakers or those wanted a refresher course heard a brief presentation with some “Dos and Don’ts” to insure a good experience for speakers and attendees alike. This was followed by a quick introductory meeting with yours truly, some P&P SIG speakers and our Stem Manager (Karla McMaster).

Welcome Reception. This enormous and rowdy gathering had some great food and gave attendees a chance to mingle and browse informational tables set up along the perimeter of the room. P&P SIG staked out a table, but after a while it became clear that most folks just wanted to eat, drink and talk! Next year we’ll have a better sign and maybe some giveaways!

Monday

Policies and Procedures Communication 101. Our fearless leader, Raymond Urgo, delivered a 90 minute introduction and overview to P&P Communication – a topic near and dear to all our hearts!

Leveraging Technical Communication into a Process Improvement Career: Elizabeth McQueen delivered a presentation detailing process improvement career opportunities and considerations.

SIG Annual Business Meeting: This was our biggest business meeting ever! We had about a dozen leaders, members and volunteers in attendance. Look for Raymond Urgo to give everyone SIG news, stats and plans for the coming year.

Tuesday

SIG Networking Luncheon: About 25 P&P SIG leaders, members and volunteers enjoyed a nice lunch (followed by a delicious chocolate and raspberry dessert) and good conversation. My table sure had a lot of folks who work in the financial industry!

Topics in Policies and Procedures: Our progression session went off without a hitch! We had a gorgeous ballroom with crystal chandeliers in the Paris Las Vegas hotel convention center. About 65 attendees came to the enormous ballroom to hear various topics in P&P.

Honors Reception and Banquet: In a ballroom high above the Las Vegas strip, our own Raymond Urgo was made a Fellow of STC. Members of the P&P SIG were also joyously surprised when it was announced that we received the 2006 SIG Pacesetter Award!

Wednesday

Policies and Procedures for Compliance: Our panel discussion was standing room only.