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

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Photo Gallery

Beginning at 7 a.m., ALA members began filling shuttle busses to sit in on the David W. Brezina Memorial General Session presented by Billy Mills. He inspired members with his story on overcoming adversity and becoming an Olympic athlete. Mills, a Native American member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, inspired the film Running Brave.

"I loved it; I was excited about the running clip he showed even though I knew how it ended," said Pat Reed, CLM. "I liked his statement that you can look at everything as an obstacle or opportunity. You can use that in your professional life, and we need to be reminded of that."

Just after the session, members lined up around the ALA Bookstore, where Mills signed copies of his book, Lessons of a Lakota: A Young Man’s Journey to Happiness and Self-Understanding.

It’s a busy day in the Exhibit Hall! After the book signing, members headed over to visit with vendors for the last day of the Exposition and place bids at the Silent Auction. At 10:29 a.m., both the onsite Conference Silent Auction and the online Silent Auction were flooded with last-second bidders. Attendees eagerly bid on artwork, jewelry, trips, and electronics – all proceeds of which benefit the Foundation of the Association of Legal Administrators (FALA).

ALA Finale Party
Masquerade
After a full day of educational sessions and visits with legal vendors in the Exhibit Hall, I joined hundreds of costumed ALA Conference attendees at 6:30 p.m. on the shuttle bound for Mardi Gras World, site of ALA’s Finale Party Masquerade.

Entering Mardi Gras World is like walking into a giant toy box! The venue is a bonanza of wonders, created by the people who bring Mardi Gras to life every year: the artists of Blaine Kern Studios. It’s fascinating to see the Mardi Gras floats up close and to get an idea of how much work goes into creating them each year for Carnival season. "It was so unexpected and different," said Jasmine Young, from Los Angeles, California. "The Finale Party this year was so festive!"

ALA’s Finale Party featured a Creole-Cajun buffet, two musical groups performing on separate stages, plenty of dancing, and at 8:30 sharp, a surprise parade that burst through the middle of the crowd complete with a motorcycle lead, decorative floats, and a marching band. Past Presidents Wendy Rice-Issacs and Patricia L. Groff, CLM, and the new ALA President, Susan French Koran, tossed beads to the members from the floats.

"It was great. The President and Past Presidents were participating and everyone was into it," said Gaylene Smith, of Ft. Worth, Texas. Spirits were high the rest of the evening and even on the ride home, when attendees began chanting "ALA, ALA, ALA … "

The Finale Party was a great way to wrap up a busy day and to gear up for tomorrow’s Closing General Session: "From Homeless to Harvard," featuring engaging speaker Liz Murray.