“What happens in New Orleans stays in New Orleans.” 

I hope this statement is not true for all that was seen and heard at the 21st Annual Conference.  I am confident that everyone in attendance gained something from our remarkable speakers and topics.  We are grateful to all of our generous supporters and the amazing attendees for their dedication, professionalism and generous pocket books during our raffle.

Conference Attendees raised a record $1634 in raffle ticket sales, guaranteeing a donation to Kid smART in the amount of $817. Congratulations to Lisa Ann Lewicki upon winning the most sought-after prize:  an iPod donated by Breedlove and Associates, and buying a record $150 in tickets. 

Thank you to our wonderful attendees for your thirst for knowledge, continued support, and willingness to invest in yourself and/or your company over the three days of the conference.  Your interest and continued support made the conference possible, and your comments and suggestions are valuable for future conference planning.  The choice of workshop topics and speakers frequently come from your suggestions and comments.

It was inspiring to see so many of you take pride in your profession, sharing with others and taking all that you learned back with you to share with your families, children in your care and employees in your business.  This is why each conference is so successful and why you keep coming back year after year.

I hope you all plan on attending in 2007, and I hope that like myself you are all eagerly awaiting the announcement of next year's dates and locations.  As soon as the board has reached a decision, all members will be notified.

Thanks to all for making Conference 2006, “Coming of Age” a success!

Kellie Geres
2006 Conference Chair