Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead

Had the opportunity to go to the S.T.E.A.M. Conference last month in Brookfield. It didn’t disappoint. I went to my first S.T.E.A.M. many years ago in Peoria, IL when Ed Williams was Executive Director – that dates me. I was pretty green around the edges way back then, but one of my favorite memories happened when I was in the lobby of the hotel and someone I didn’t know came up to me and asked if I was there for the conference. He approached me because I was wearing an ABATE sweatshirt and that gave him some common ground. Come to find out, that gentleman was Mike Hupy. He drove down a little early too, so we had a chance to chat a little. I’m sure he doesn’t remember me, but he made an impact and I still think of it all these years later. I didn’t find out who he was until the next day and learned how committed Mike is to our organization and how much he does for us. It made me feel like I had met a celebrity. My point being – wear your ABATE clothes. It’s a way for people to recognize you and ask about the organization, and secondly, don’t be afraid to approach a greenhorn and make them feel welcomed. I learned a lot at that first conference, and I still appreciate being approached by Mike.

After you’ve been to a few of these conferences you sometimes wonder if you should keep going to them, but rather let the newbies have a shot. I’m writing to tell you that yes, it is still worthwhile to spend the time and resources to go. ABATE of Wisconsin (they hosted it this year) put on a heck of a good conference. There was a ton of knowledge in those rooms and a lot of willingness to share ideas…. some good ones that work and some that didn’t turn out so well, but ideas that different SMROs have tried and there was knowledge to be gleaned from them. We can all learn from each other’s experience. The breakout sessions were well attended, and the presenters gave us their input on a variety of topics. I always like the idea of repeated breakouts so you are able to avoid conflicting sessions and can choose the ones that best suit you and, as Hardtail tells us, we can put the right person to the task, because not everyone is good at everything.

I especially liked the “hospitality area” this year because hospitality, products – both ABATE of Wisconsin and MRF, silent & live auction items, bucket raffle items and those ever so interesting fundraising games all took place in one large area, so no one felt as if they were excluded or “missing something” if they were in a different area of the conference because it was all in one room. I also like the idea of not having a banquet speaker. It certainly gave those of us at our table cause to talk to each other and have good conversation as we sat with two “foreigners” or those that weren’t in our own SMRO as well as some that weren’t in our own region.

This was a great conference; one I would definitely do again and one worth everyone’s consideration in the future. Next year it’s in Springfield, Il. on April 1st and 2nd. Be There. Thank you, ABATE of Wisconsin and Heartland S.T.E.A.M. for having me.

“Cuz”