Archive \| www.asbo.org
July 2016

2016 Spring Conference Summary

Print this Article | Send to Colleague

2016 Spring Conference Summary

"It’s a great conference!" "I’m learning a lot." "Wish my coworkers could be here with me." "It’s really hard to decide what sessions to go to!" These are some of the comments we heard at the 64th Spring Conference in May at the Ocean City Convention Center from the 350 registered for the annual event.

There were a number of exciting changes this year. Hotel accommodations were shifted to four of the Harrison Group oceanfront hotels (and the Bayside Princess was still available for those who prefer the bay side) and the Sunday Night Welcome Gala, held in the beautifully decorated ballroom (thanks Conference Arrangements Committee!) of the conference hotel, the Holiday Inn at 67th Street, was attended by 440 members. Our business meetings and keynote speakers shifted to the new Performing Arts Center at the convention center and over 250 attended the ASBO Night Out (Monday night this year) at Phillips. And, for the first time, conference goers could download a mobile app and create their own schedule, stay on top of what was trending at the conference, and post comments about what they found particularly interesting at the 48 education sessions.

The education sessions? Something for everyone. Topics ranged from The Critical Value of Process in Principled Decision Making and Leadership Styles – Force Multiplier or Diminisher, to Human Resource Lessons from the World of Sports; Planning and Designing the Modern K-12 Library Media Center; and Employment Law for Supervisors, Managers, and Administrators. There was a Taste Testing for Food and Nutrition Services decision-makers and even a school bus burning to demonstrate the critical value of fire retardant seats. Sam Glenn and Willow Sweeney, our two keynote speakers, gave dynamic and thought provoking sessions about how to recharge your attitude and how vital the correct attitude is (Sam) and how to "live above the line" – why how you think about things will govern what your experience is (Willow). If you want to see a description of all the sessions, the conference program is available at asbo.org. Many of the session presentations also are there.
The 2016 ASBO Cares fund raiser was for Shriners Hospitals for Children in Philadelphia and we are pleased to announce that we raised $2,407 to support the wonderful work that this hospital does in the Mid-Atlantic region.

There were three major ASBO awards made at the conference. The first, the Paul B. Bell Award, is given to recognize a member of ASBO who has demonstrated exemplary contributions to schools, community, and ASBO and this year’s recipient of this prestigious award was Suzanne Jones of Caroline County Public Schools. The recipient of the 2106 Fay Miller Education Leadership Eagle Institute Award was Christopher Hauge, Dorchester County Public Schools. This award is given to an aspiring leader in school business and ASBO in recognition of the exemplary career and dedication of Fay Miller. The newest award, the Kenneth W. Nickoles Emerging Leader Award, was given to Christina Gates-Gray, St. Mary’s County Public Schools. This award is in honor of Ken’s long commitment, service, and leadership with ASBO MD&DC (member number 21!) and ASBO International.

And a sold out Exhibit Hall with 198 booths. Thanks to the many business partners who shared their services, products, and knowledge with everyone at the conference. They are very much a part of the stellar professional development opportunities that were available from Sunday to Wednesday, and their support is vital to ASBO and its mission to provide up to date information to its members.
Not to be missed was the ongoing opportunities to network with your colleagues from around Maryland and the District of Columbia. Catching up with old friends and making new ones – learning how others are working on the same challenges that may be confronting you, or how they already may have solved them! At the Welcome Gala, on the exhibit floor, between sessions, and at conference meals, there was plenty of conversation and sharing of ideas.

SAVE THE DATE: The 65th Annual Spring Conference will be held May 21-24, 2017 at the Ocean City Convention Center.
If you weren’t able to be there, plan on attending the Fall Conference on November 4, 2016 at the Conference Center at the Maritime Institute. The list of education sessions will soon be available. It’s the most valuable one day professional development event that you’ll attend this year!