By Jen Gudaz, Associate Director of Recreational Services; Director of CFC at Cornell University and Chair of the NIRSA Member Network
Through a new partnership between the Member Network and the Conference Program Committee NIRSA members now have a second chance to have their educational sessions included in the 2016 NIRSA Annual Conference & Recreational Sports Expo program. The two leadership groups worked together this summer to craft an opportunity for great fall regional conference presentations to be part of NIRSA 2016 next April in Kissimmee, Florida!
“We have heard from our members that the summer deadline for Annual Conference proposals is challenging,” says David Peters, Vice Chair of the Member Network and Region II Representative. “And, members have also recognized excellent presentations from fall regional events that all NIRSA members could benefit from attending if they were presented again at the Annual Conference.”
Since the Annual Conference presentation proposal deadline has passed, the Program Committee and its teams of evaluators are already hard at work reviewing proposals and compiling this year’s array of educational sessions. “We always work to provide a balanced educational program that offers a wide range of topics for our members,” said Cara McFadden, Chair of the 2016 Annual Conference Program Committee. “Holding places for several fall conference presentations that were well-received by members can only make the program better.”
Each region will have the opportunity to nominate two educational presentations that are presented at its fall regional conference and/or state workshops. As educational events vary across our Association, each region will determine eligible events and design its own nomination process.
Out of the possibility of having twelve nominated sessions, the Program Committee will select four that best balance the program’s remaining needs. Nominated sessions will be announced in November with those selected for the Annual Conference revealed by January.
“This new partnership allows us to both recognize some of our best regional educational sessions as well as provide opportunities for presenters to educate a broader audience at the Annual Conference,” says David. “The hope is that it will not only enhance the Annual Conference program but encourage more proposals for NIRSA’s fall regional and state events.”
Look for more details regarding your region’s nomination process in communications from your regional Member Network representative this September! And to learn about exciting fall regional events, visit the NIRSA website.
For more information about presenting at upcoming NIRSA regional events, please contact the Member Network.
