Our Fall 2009 conference has come and gone, and while the memories are still fresh, I wanted to share some observations.
Two, attendees expect quality and excellence. Those who have completed our post-event survey show they want engaging and informative presentations and are looking for takeaways they can use when they return home.
Three, we are not a bashful group. More than 120 conference attendees agreed to be videotaped and their comments posted on the website in which they share their thoughts on everything from what's changed and what's stayed the same about foundation communications to overall impressions of the conference and reactions to individual sessions.
Four, and finally, the value of networking cannot be underestimated. One of the hallmarks of our group -- and since its original inception as a volunteer organization more than two decades ago -- is that people who work in communications for foundations, nonprofits or organizations that support both, genuinely enjoy learning from each other. They willingly give and are eager to take what others are willing to share.
To me, that still is the essence of the Communications Network. By taking advantage of opportunities the Network offers to share with and learn from each other, we can achieve excellence in our own pursuits, become a standard-bearer for quality communications, and also offer important guidance and direction to many of the nonprofits our respective organizations support.
Put another way, the reason we take part in what the Network offers in the first place is so that we can draw on the knowledge, wisdom, experience, and plain old practical advice available -- all which helps us use communications more effectively to advance the missions of our respective organizations.
Now that the New York City conference is behind us, we're looking ahead to Los Angeles next September. If you want to attend, send an email to be added to the priority registration list.
--Bruce Trachtenberg

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