Meet our new COO Dr. Eleanor Mower brings a proven record of success governing business, financial, and administrative operations for organizations in the academic, for-profit, and nonprofit sectors. Her most recent experience is associate executive director with a leading comprehensive student affairs association (ACPA), where she oversaw all operations, programs, systems, and strategic initiatives. Prior to ACPA in Washington, DC, her career encompassed senior management and supervisory positions as a vice president of a major division, vice president of planning and development with a private consulting firm, and as a senior team member overseeing operations and programs for several membership organizations – Goodwill Industries International, American Academy of Actuaries, and the National Alliance of Business (NAB). Mower's greatest strengths are her expertise in operations and administrative management, strong leadership, and creative problem solving. She thrives on challenges, particularly those that expand the organization’s value to its members. In several organizations, Mower was instrumental in restructuring operations to improve profitability and performance levels. These resulted in increasing cash flow $38 million in two years. At Goodwill, Mower was recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor for drafting the first official guidelines for the Youth Worker Apprenticeship program, certified by the department. Other honors include being nominated for "Who’s Who" in the Workforce Development profession and NAB’s president’s award for outstanding customer service. Mower holds a B.S. in English and a M.Ed. from Virginia Commonwealth University and a doctorate in business administration from the University of Sarasota, Florida. Mower has just relocated to Charlottesville with her husband, Gene.

 

Webinar: It's All About Benchmarking
May 27, 2014 - 2 p.m. ET: Establishing benchmarking for your auxiliary services is a powerful tool that can be used in a variety of areas such as technology, operations management, purchasing, outsourcing, training, finance, business, and marketing. The sources of information, method of data collection, relevance of data with the goals, planning, and implementation are some of the elements to consider for the benchmarking program. Benchmarking is a process consisting of goal setting, competitive analysis, sensitivity analysis, strategic planning, and implementation. Continuous improvement of quality concepts are an integral part of the benchmarking process. Learn more

 

2014 NACAS West Conference
June 1 - 3, 2014: We hope to see you at the 2014 NACAS West Conference in Portland, Ore.! Planned educational content includes creating business plans, conducting needs assessment, negotiation skills, marketing to college students, program management, bookstores/retail, sustainability, a Canadian institutions roundtable, and more! Learn more

 

2014 NACAS East Conference
June 8 - 11, 2014: Take a step onto one of the most attractive beaches on the East Coast -- Virginia Beach. This modest but urban city is the perfect place to integrate traditional methods with fresh ideas. Make history by creating a pathway for dynamic innovation with NACAS professionals from across the region. Explore the old and discover the new in educational sessions facilitated by professional trailblazers. Whatever you choose to do here, you'll be "living the life" in Virginia Beach during the 2014 NACAS East Annual Conference! Learn more

 

2014 NACAS Central Conference
June 18 - 20, 2014: Please join us in the Windy City for the 2014 NACAS Central Conference. This year's conference will be held at the Embassy Suites Chicago - Downtown. Chicago is a vibrant, energetic city and is especially bustling in the summer months. And we will be in the heart of it all in the city's River North district, surrounded by countless restaurants and nightlife options. Come see all that Chicago has to offer while you "Reflect on Success" with your auxiliary service peers and business partners. Be sure to check out the hotel and travel and schedule of events links for more information. Learn more

 

Senior Executive Institute
July 22 - 24, 2014: Learn innovative thinking strategies that will move auxiliary services into the future! Attendees will discover new ideas, hear best practices, tour the Chick-fil-A Innovation Center, and network with executive leaders from across the industry. Space is limited. Learn More

 

Submit an award nomination
You and your colleagues work hard to break new ground, implement innovation, and achieve success. It is now time to honor these achievements by nominating yourself or someone you know for a NACAS award. Public recognition, a College Services article, complimentary conference attendance, and travel reimbursement. These represent just a sample of how NACAS award winners are rewarded for excellence. Your nominations make our community a better place and ensure excellence is promoted. Learn more

 

Volunteer for NACAS
Are you interested in volunteering with NACAS? Want to volunteer but feel overwhelmed by the mounds of files on your desk or the expanse of emails in your inbox? Visit the NACAS website to find the volunteer opportunity that best suits your schedule and provides the professional growth you are seeking. Learn more

 

Would you like to host an Institute?
We have already started planning our Institutes for 2015 and beyond! Contact Anne Wachtmeister if you have an idea for a case study that would be beneficial to your institution as an Institute host site. Please contact her at (434) 245-8425 x230 or anne.wachtmeister@nacas.org

 

The conference for higher education auxiliary services. We are the business of higher education: bookstores, dining halls, campus card systems, housing, and more. This is the conference where our professional peers gather from around the world, where over 180 companies share tomorrow's solutions in our Business Solutions Center, and where new inspiration and ideas are discovered in over 80 education sessions. Learn more

Continue reading to learn why you're going to love Montréal!

	Discover Montréal's cuisine. Montréal's unique combination of new world and old world characteristics creates a culinary scene that is second to none. Local influences, daring world flavors, and European heritage have produced award-winning restaurants and the largest number of restaurants per capita in North America. The number of fantastic food options within walking distance of the conference will have you saying bon appétit! Learn more
	A fashion capital. Did you know that Montréal is considered one of the top world fashion capitals? Montréal's flair, style, and innate fashion sense have been exciting tourists for years, and their ability to push fashion boundaries, mix styles, and create new ones has shaped a look that is unique to Montréal. Considered a shopper's paradise, you'll love exploring Montréal's eclectic boutiques, trendy shopping malls, and the 14 km-long underground pedestrian mall packed with shops and department stores. Learn more
	An art and culture attraction. Montréal's art and cultural exhibits are consistently among the top reasons tourists visit the city. From world-class museums to fascinating art galleries, you are guaranteed to be delighted by the attractions near the conference location. Learn more
	An old world. One of the oldest urban locations in North America, Old Montréal transports you to a world that existed hundreds of years ago; some of the existing structures were built in the 1600s when the area was known as New France. Discover the uniqueness of this major tourist attraction that is only steps away from our conference location. Learn more
	Rest and relaxation. Discover relaxation in a city that has mastered the art of pampering away winter. From hot saunas to expert massages, you'll get a taste of heaven in some of the best spas in North America. Below, you will find three locations near the Palais des congrès de Montréal where your stress is guaranteed to melt away. Learn more
	An outdoor paradise. With an average high temperature above 60F, the NACAS Annual Conference is the perfect time to explore Montréal's natural resources. From mountain to river, with beautiful parks in between, Montréal is an outdoor paradise. Discover your next adventure at one of the three locations listed below. Learn more

 

The Refinishing Touch is a world leader in on-site, environmentally safe, and sustainable refinishing, re-upholstery, and remanufacturing for higher education, hospitality, and government sectors. They have successfully completed a furniture refinishing project at the University of Wisconsin’s Stout campus that included refinishing over 500 assets, including built-in desks, bookcases, and closets, with laminate replacement and color-changing processes that restored pieces to like-new condition.

 

Virginia Tech Dining Services has received its first Governor's Environmental Excellence award, a bronze rating, for its sustainability efforts on campus.

 

Blackboard and LiveSafe, two of the leading companies focused on campus safety and security, have joined forces to bring LiveSafe’s mobile safety technology to more schools and students across the country, the companies announced.

 

Digital Payment Technologies (DPT), a NACAS Business Partner and a leading provider of multi-space pay stations and enterprise software parking solutions, announced the launch of Digital IrisTM, a cloud-based data intelligence platform that provides secure and actionable real-time information to the right people at the right time. It offers insight and data visualization through key performance indicators, interactive metrics, and automated reporting. Digital Iris enables operators, municipalities, and universities to quickly identify trends and opportunities, make changes and measure results, and ultimately, increase revenue and streamline operations.

 

CASP is a four-year certification for aspiring auxiliary services professionals. It is a 150-question, multiple-choice exam that proves individuals can be directors of auxiliary services. That they have the skills necessary to succeed in Auxiliary Services. That they are professionals. Like you. Submit your application today so you can sit for CASP at the 2014 NACAS Annual Conference in Montréal.

 

After you take and pass the certification exam, you are a CASP for four years. To renew your CASP status, you must meet the CASP recertification requirements. Recertification requires four actions: submit your professional development plan, obtain activity credits, submit recertification application, and pay the recertification application fee.