Pulse Legacy Archive November 2011

end notes PHOTO © TIFFANY BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER! @LynneMcNees N ovember is a busy time for us here at the ISPA headquarters, but it’s also our favorite time of the year because we get to share it with you at the annual ISPA Conference & Expo. As you read this issue, you’ll notice that a lot of our Conference speakers are featured. We’re so excited to be able to bring you their insights whether you’re attending Conference or not. You’ll get an inside look at some of our Professional Development Session speaker’s Best Advice on page 52. There are some valuable insights on marketing, decision-making and evaluating finances that will be built upon during their full sessions. In the same spirit, let me offer some of my best pieces of advice as you prepare for Conference. This will be my 16th ISPA Conference & Expo, so I’ve picked up a few tips along the way. ● Make friends: Make it a point to meet three new people every day. This could be on the Expo floor, in an educational session or during an energy break. I can’t even begin to count how many business partnerships have been forged during the ISPA Conference because someone introduced themselves. ● Listen Closely: Don’t miss the General Sessions. Not only do we have an incredible lineup of keynote speakers this year, but you’ll learn so much about your membership benefits. This year, we’ll be discussing brand-new findings from the Consumer Research Study and what that means for your business. ● Shop!: Maximize your time on the Expo floor. You have 17.5 hours to spend perusing the Expo and 13 of those do not overlap with any other Conference offerings. This is the place to find everything you could possibly need for your business. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, so be sure to take some time to map out a schedule of your must-sees. ● Socialize: Conference doesn’t end at 5 pm just because the sessions have concluded for the day. There’s plenty to do, including the ISPA Foundation Live & Silent Auctions and the Beach Blast Party on Wednesday night. ● Explore: Grab a new friend and go play! I recommend going to see my favorite show Jersey Boys. You won’t be disappointed. If you can’t make it to Conference this year, you can still get a taste of the Conference experience by purchasing the audio recordings and checking out some of the new product launches taking place on the Expo floor featured in this issue’s special New Product Launch Guide. Better yet, look out for Pulse’s Conference Wrap-up issue in January/February for valuable takeaways and highlights of the event. We can’t wait to see you in Las Vegas! —LYNNE McNEES, ISPA PRESIDENT P.S. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes (the Expo floor is big) and bring plenty of business cards. 88 PULSE ■ July 2011

Pulse Legacy Archive November 2011 | Page 90