Since my flight out of Jacksonville is delayed due to "high winds" in the Northeast, I have some time to reflect on the Annual Meeting. I should give Google a special shout out here for the free Wireless in the Jax airport during the holidays!As I sat to type this blog post, I happened to see four graduate students from Bowling Green State University who stopped to say hello. Each was a first-time attendee of the Annual Meeting, and it was exciting for me to hear them recount their first experience- and as a very positive one at that!
The last day of the Annual Meeting finished strong. Wednesday featured our AFA Business Meeting. Dr. Carolyn Whittier, 2009 AFA President passed the gavel to Kelly Jo Karnes, the 2010 AFA President, and Jay Anhorn, 2008 AFA President, reported on the progress of the 2005-2010 Strategic Plan. Our leadership will foster communication to chart the 2010-2015 Strategic Plan.
Four blocks of educational programs were featured throughout the afternoon, including a two part program for Seasoned Professionals sponsored by Zeta Tau Alpha.
The Silent Auction closed with a staggering $36,000 raised for the AFA Foundation.
In traditional fashion, the Annual Meeting finished with the Closing Banquet that featured the Sue Kraft Fussell Distinguished Service winners (Dan Bureau, Dr. Lori Hart Ebert, Deb Ensor, Jennifer "JJ" Jones, and Kyle Pendleton) as well as the Anson and Schaffer Award Winners, Pete Smithhisler and Steve Veldekamp respectively. The closing banquet finished at 10:05 p.m.
This is my last blog post as the 2009 Annual Meeting has come to a close. I hope it helped to educate, impact, and involve you, and I look forward to seeing you next year in Phoenix December 1-5! I posted the new AFA and Annual Meeting logo above for you to get familiar (you saw it on signs throughout Jax). You are in good hands with the new Annual Meeting Planning Team, led by Andrea Weber, 2010 Annual Meeting Chair, and the AFA Executive Board led by Kelly Jo Karnes.
Goodbye from Jacksonville!
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