President's Report: Not What I Was Expecting

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Wait...what? I have to go where?...Denver?...In November? But it's 25 degrees there!

So, as any other Florida Chapter volunteer dedicated to bettering our profession I traded in my Hawaiian shirt, shorts, flip flops and Jimmy Buffet songs for a winter coat, wool pants, boots and John Denver songs. Upon arrival, my body went into shock having gone through a 60-degree change in six short hours.

The Chapter Presidents Council meeting took place during two days and provided updates from National's leaders; Nancy Somerville, CEO, Roxanne Blackwell, Director Government Affairs, Michael O'Brien, CFO, Shawn Kelly, VP Membership and Pam Lynn, VP of Communications. They provided insight into advocacy efforts, upcoming website changes, 5 percent membership challenge, and the upcoming multi-million dollar renovation of National's Washington D.C. headquarters. An additional interesting fact, National purchased the building for $2.57 million in the early 2000's and it now has an estimated value of $6.9 million.

The meeting also provided a platform for Chapter Presidents to share our thoughts/concerns and discuss solutions/new ideas to take home. The Expo had more than 450 exhibitors and provided a great venue for networking and engaging companies with sponsorship interests in our Chapter.

With more than 600 members (and growing), a great conference, advocacy efforts, education opportunities, and dedicated passionate members, I came away from the meetings with confirmed belief that we are one of the best Chapters in the organization.

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