Sunday, May 17, 2009	Photos
Monday, May 18, 2009	Photos
Tuesday, May 19, 2009	Photos
Wednesday, May 20, 2009	Photos
Thursday, May 21, 2009	Photos

Today at the Conference

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Photo Gallery

After several educational sessions in the early morning, followed by time spent visiting with vendors in the Exposition, attendees made their way at noon to the Association Luncheon – one of the highlights of each year’s Conference.

The Association Luncheon marks the formal beginning of a new ALA leadership year. During the luncheon, Wendy Rice-Isaacs of Vorys Sater Seymour and Pease LLP in Cleveland, Ohio, completed her term as ALA President and passed the gavel to 2009-2010 President Susan French Koran of Fellers Snider Blankenship Bailey & Tippens, PC, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Beyond the leadership changes, however, Conference attendees and I were intrigued by the Luncheon description’s promise of "exciting announcements and initiatives" to be unveiled during the event.

For starters, ALA revealed that its 2008 initiative to support The Smile Train as part of the Association’s 2008 Community Challenge Weekend had raised more than $103,000 for the international charity, which provides cleft palate surgeries to needy children worldwide. Wendy Rice-Isaacs presented the check to Michele Sinesky, a representative of The Smile Train. ALA members, Chapters, staff, and vendor partners all donated funds to this worthy cause.

Just before 2 p.m. ALA unveiled the long-awaited results of its comprehensive rebranding initiative – including a new organizational logo (pictured) and a dynamic brand design system. “It’s symbolic of our global reach and member support,” said new President Susan French Koran. ALA member Kara Jordan also commented on the new logo. "It’s very forward looking," she said. "The logo will attract new members and energize the Association."

Your Association also has a new tagline: Your connection to knowledge, resources, and networking. "I think it’s appropriate," said Lenita McFeron of Orlando, Florida. "It works on so many levels – for the educational programs, for the networking, the Web site, and the social aspect of the Association."

At the end of the Association Luncheon, ALA staff members handed each exiting attendee a brochure explaining the rebranding and a set of ALA-branded notes as a special gift to take back to their offices.

After the educational sessions, the day concluded with an Encore Reception called "Lagniappe," or "a little something extra." When I entered the Exhibit Hall for the Reception, I saw members networking. Raffles were being won, live entertainment filled the hall, and most importantly, members had the opportunity to visit with vendors on a more personal level.

"There are many new vendors who haven’t been here before, so it’s not the same old show," said Kendra Edson of City National Bank. "Coming down to the Exhibit Hall is so important for ALA members’ own professional development. It’s job security to get out there and learn what other firms are doing and to talk to other members."

The Exhibit Hall closes on Wednesday at 2:15