Today we’re continuing our conversation with Michele Gossmeyer, ILTA ‘09 Conference Co-chair and Global IS Administration/Communication Manager at Mayer Brown LLP. On Friday, we “heard” her excellent thoughts on leadership, but now we’ll hear more details about the conference itself:
What excites you the most about ILTA ’09?
The incredible educational lineup that the committee has put together. We have so much fantastic content! In response to membership requests, we’re upping the technical/depth levels of many sessions to address the “we just got to the really meaty stuff and the session is over” point. Pre-learning and take-away materials will be made available to extend the sessions to add value before, during and after conference. We realize that people need to make some very difficult decisions this year about how to spend money – particularly on conference attendance. We are working VERY hard to ensure that when people choose ILTA, they can return to their firm with very strong evidence that it was a valuable choice.
Is there a specific session that you’re looking forward to? If so, why? (this doesn’t have to be in your track)
Picking one session would be impossible. Every track has sessions that are “must see” for the target audience. There is a great mix of management and technical training that can bring a good balance for all attendees. Additionally, in our current economy, there are several sessions around value and cost management that will be very timely.
Describe a highlight of one ILTA conference that made you a hero when you got back to your firm.
Last year, our firm attendees established a post-conference team to determine ways to continue to extend the value of conference. We highlighted key “encore” sessions for certain people who couldn’t attend, expanded a few ideas to form a new working group to better “cross-pollinate” working between IT groups and are looking at ways to get “wish” lists to those who will be attending conference this year to help target key areas for those who can’t attend. Attendees have SO much energy when they come back from conference –it’s important to tap into that early on to start things moving and keep the momentum (wait, that’s a different conference…) going.
Conference is a whirlwind of activity; can you share your strategy or any tips to making it through and getting the most out of it?
For those who attended the conference orientation last year, I was only half kidding about my using up the ink in my highlighter the week before conference. I comb through the conference overview grid and session description list very closely to identify all the sessions I’m interested in. Then I rank sessions that overlap in the same time slot to determine if I need to try to hit more than one. I have a base plan before I hit the floor Monday morning to help maximize my time as well as the number of critical sessions I can hit. I remember my colleagues teasing me my first year of conference: “What do you mean you attended sessions in all 16 time slots?” I couldn’t imagine anything else – there is SO much to see and SO little time, I’m not losing the opportunity to sit in on a session – even if it’s not a 100% match for what I’m currently working on, In the few time slots that may otherwise be a “downtime”, I’ll find a session where I feel I need more knowledge or even just have an interest or curiosity to learn.
Also, we have an amazing opportunity when the entire hotel is filled with ILTAns. Every hall, table, chair and bench is filled with someone who shares several of your issues. Take every opportunity to turn to a person next to you and start a conversation. The number of resources you can return home with is limitless! Don’t miss out on that chance by talking only to your Blackberry between sessions.
What’s your Twitter handle?
I’m a little behind the curve in the Social networking world. We’re doing many things for conference this year to get people like me up to speed (and beyond), so I’m hoping to take advantage of it and catch up. Before long, my 2 year old niece will be Twittering about her “square” Aunt and I can’t have that!
Filed under: 2009 Conference
