Daily Highlights Sunday, April 22, 2012

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The ALA Annual Conference & Exposition offers an abundance of knowledge and resources over the next few days, but on Sunday night, ALA was your connection to networking. The Conference kicked off in the afternoon with a Leadership/Newcomers Reception to acquaint new attendees. The event ended on a high note when the following attendees won Regional Conference registrations:

• Barb Baker
• Mimi Demars
• Shary Gonzalez
• Karen Hong
• Alejandra Pineda
• Julia Round
• Joan Stewart

Sponsored by ABA Retirement Funds, the Welcome Reception was the perfect event to Ignite Your Future and Renew Your Spirit. Hugs were aplenty, connections were made and laughter filled the air. Attendees danced to the award-winning trio Maunalua and soaked up the essence of this Waikiki Beach area property.

By kicking off the ALA Annual Conference with these networking opportunities, members had a chance to truly connect and prepare for the upcoming busy days of education and opportunities to learn about resources from business partners in the Exhibit Hall.

Did we mention that you can connect with us, as well? The staff members at ALA headquarters are easy to spot with logo pins should you need anything. Also, join in the Conference conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #ALAconf. Aloha!

Daily Highlights Monday, April 23, 2012

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It was an early, invigorating Monday morning with Conference attendees participating in the 10-step form of Tai Chi known as Mu-i Tai Ji Zen. Over at the Hawaii Convention Center, the opening educational session featured keynote speaker Dewitt Jones who presented "Clear Vision." A professional photographer, director and author, Jones helped attendees identify the keys to accessing their creativity.

After the keynote and a full day of educational sessions, it was opening day in the Exhibit Hall at Connections – A Networking Reception. Attendees perused the ALA Bookstore, made bids on Silent Auction items and most importantly, discussed solutions with business partners.

ALA Conference Chair Lisa Dasher, CLM; President Karen Griggs, CLM; and session sponsor Serengeti (a Thomson Reuters business) provided the opening remarks. In his session, Jones focused on perspective. "Knowing that there's always more than one right answer is the key to creativity. When you really believe that there's more than one right answer, that's when you break the pattern."

The networking continued into the ballroom for the annual Chapter Awards Program, sponsored in part by Quill. It was an energetic evening with members proudly cheering for their regions. Chapters won awards for everything from Newsletter Excellence to Achievements in Diversity. The Quest Award was also presented, recognizing a new member who is involved in a number of Association activities. The award recipient demonstrates traits from a successful quest and from the ALA Code of Professional Responsibility. There were nearly 450 eligible candidates this year, and the winner is:

Annie Lombroia – Puget Sound Chapter

Sheila Hoff – Minnesota Chapter (ALAMN)

Francie Jones – Greater Los Angeles Chapter

Trent Boerner – Cleveland Chapter
Michele Floyd – Austin Chapter
John Jakovenko, CLM – Atlanta Chapter
Amie Morelli – Golden Gate Chapter
Amy Pettis – Dallas Chapter
Gina Sanfillippo – Valley of the Sun Chapter

View all of the Chapter Awards Program winners online now.

All in all, it was a great day of education, celebrating and refueling the passion for legal management.

Daily Highlights Tuesday, April 24, 2012

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Tuesday was filled with many educational sessions, idea exchanges and time in the Exhibit Hall. But the noteworthy event of the day was the annual Association Luncheon — recognizing the many members who comprise ALA's leadership corps, honoring outstanding volunteers and serving as an inauguration of the new ALA President. Conference Chair Lisa Dasher, CLM, opened this year's event sponsored by ABA Retirement Funds. Dasher welcomed the many international attendees who traveled from as far away as France and Nigeria.

ALA's 2011-2012 President Karen Griggs, CLM, introduced the Board of Directors and the new incoming officers for the 2012-2013 term:

• Paul Farnsworth (incoming President-Elect)
• Greg Madden (incoming Region 4 Director)
• Cheryl Nelson (incoming Region 3 Director)
• Teresa Walker (incoming At-Large Director)

Griggs also gave recognition to former Presidents of the Association, Regional Officers, Certified Legal Managers, the Annual Conference Committee and members who have maintained 25 years of continuous, uninterrupted ALA membership. Outgoing committee chairs also got a nod – John Kirk, CLM for his service on the Business Partner Advisory Panel and Business Partner Relations Committee, and Michelle Martin for her work on the Committee on Diversity and Inclusion.

Each year the Board of Directors identifies members who have made significant contributions to ALA and recognizes them as Outstanding Association Volunteers. This year, three ALA members received this honor:

• Fred Esposito, CLM, of Meyer Suozzi English & Klein in Garden City, New York
• Karen Glowacki of Sherin and Lodgen, Boston, Massachusetts
• Kris Oliveri, CLM of Baker Hostetler in Cleveland, Ohio

Last but certainly not least for service awards is a special and unique achievement — the Spirit of ALA Award. It is not an annual award but rather an honor given on rare occasions. On Tuesday at the Association Luncheon, it was former ALA President Patti Groff, CLM who received this prestigious honor. Congratulations to all of the day's award recipients.

But the big moment on Tuesday was the term completion of 2011-2012 President Karen Griggs, CLM who passed the gavel to 2012-2013 President Steve Wingert, CLM. "As this board sets out on this leadership path, I challenge each of you to think creatively as to how you will define your role as a legal manager and as a leader, through the relationships you establish, your own creativity, and as you incorporate diversity and inclusiveness into your approach, thinking and personal and professional success," Wingert said. Read his welcome message.

Daily Highlights Wednesday, April 25, 2012

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On Wednesday, attendees spent their final hours with business partners in the Exhibit Hall and made last-minute bids on Silent Auction items. View the full list of winners.

The afternoon was filled with educational sessions such as Fast, Furious & Frustrating: Tweets, Links, Facebook and Blogs. But the big event of the day was the Grand Finale Luau. Attendees filled the Great Lawn at the Hilton Hawaiian Village for a meal, dancing and entertainment. The evening began with a ukulele performance, and during the traditional Luau dinner, attendees enjoyed a show featuring dances from throughout the Pacific. The evening ended with a daring Samoan fire knife dance and a band.

For exhibitors, it was farewell Wednesday night, but for attendees, there was yet another day of education to await with Rosa Say's closing session on Thursday, Managing with Aloha.

Daily Highlights Thursday, April 26, 2012

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Continuing with the Hawaiian spirit, Thursday's David W. Brezina Memorial Closing Session featured workplace culture coach Rosa Say who presented Managing with Aloha. The session was introduced by 2012 Conference Chair Lisa Dasher, CLM and 2013 Conference Chair Karen Glowacki.

ALA President Steve Wingert, CLM and Dick Nigon, CLM, Chair of the Foundation of the Association of Legal Administrators, also provided opening remarks. The Foundation sponsored the session in honor of David W. Brezina, who served as ALA President from 1996 to 1997 and was involved in a tragic bicycling accident resulting in paralysis and quadriplegia. Even as he fought this disability, he served his term as President, and at the time of his death in 1999, he was serving as a Trustee of the Foundation of the Association of Legal Administrators.

Conference attendees who stayed at the Conference host hotel, Hilton Hawaiian Village, were eligible to win a 2013 ALA Annual Conference registration. The drawing took place Thursday morning and went to ALA member Melissa Bunch.

In her session, Say helped attendees understand how to empower employees and infuse office culture with creative energy. "Great managers enable and empower staff," she told the audience. "Great managers are stewards of working culture. They coach and mentor people as their best contribution to their workplaces and love doing so. Not like – love. Great managers believe that the people they manage are more than capable of creating a better future and they will when given that chance. Great managers believe in the power of positive affirmative thinking and have a low tolerance for negativity. They are ambassadors of hope."

After 3 ½ days of education, resources and networking, attendees left with an ignited future and renewed spirit. We look forward to seeing you all at the 2013 ALA Annual Conference and Exposition in National Harbor, Maryland. Mahalo!