Today is 30 November. That means it’s only … 155 days until the 2010 STC Technical Communication Summit! And tomorrow, 01 December, is the opening of our new Really Early Bird conference registration. At only US$695, you can shop extra early this year and lock in your place at the Summit for hundreds of dollars below the regular conference registration price. I wonder who’s going to be the earliest of the really early birds to get in on this great deal?
The 2010 Summit promises to be another terrific conference experience. The program committee has been reviewing proposals for months and I think the program is just about set. You’ll see some familiar topics and names among the sessions and speakers and some new topics and names as well. Our preconference certificate sessions look terrific again this year too!
I just realized that the 2010 Summit will be my 20th STC conference, and this is making me a bit nostalgic. I’ve been thinking back on my STC conference experiences and the things I’ve gained through them: an ever-expanding network of colleagues (and many, many good friends); much in-depth knowledge of methodologies, processes, and tools; years and years of professional development and leadership experience; and the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience as a frequent conference speaker, all of which have helped me advance my career significantly.
Each conference I attended was its own unique experience, but I’ve been gotten value from each one. I have looked for and found new professional opportunities in a number of different areas as a result of the conference and I have explored tools and technologies I might not have explored as a result of the conference. And, I have been truly—and sometimes surprisingly—inspired by many of the people I have met at the conference. In fact, it was during the 2004 annual conference in Baltimore that I decided to run for Society office, but I’ll tell you more about that momentous decision in a future blog post.
In these challenging times, everyone is looking for something very specific and of immediate worth, and you’ll find it at each STC conference. In addition—if you’re looking for them—you’ll find things of value that are not necessarily applicable immediately but will serve you well in future months or years. This means you’ll also have something in your bag to draw on a little down the road.
So, it’s time to refresh, recharge, and reinvest in you! The 2010 STC Technical Communication Summit is just the way to do it. And, who knows, you might find that new job you’re looking for, a new mentor, or a new leadership opportunity. But one thing is for sure, you won’t know what else you’ll find unless you attend!
Location, location, location! Be where the largest gathering of technical communicators is to help maximize your worth and move your career forward. Look me up and introduce yourself—I’ll be there and pretty easy to find.