FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 6, 2017
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — The Association of Legal Administrators’ (ALA) 2017 Annual Conference & Expo concluded in Denver, Colo. The event ran from Sunday, April 2, to Wednesday, April 5. The event hosted more than 1,100 attendees, more than 170 business partner companies exhibiting nearly 200 booths, and more than 90 speakers and legal industry experts covering every aspect of the business of law.
The Association’s focus for the year is on defining our identity. On Sunday, members went to 13 Idea Exchanges to discuss their areas of interest and share best practices. As the Association works to Elevate ALA, these conversations and exchanges are key to determining its identity and getting to heart of what members need for continued professional growth. Throughout the conference, attendees had the opportunity to share their thoughts on ALA’s identity with the brainwriting walls in the Exhibit Hall — another way ALA is working to capture the perspective of its members.
On Monday, April 3, keynote speaker, former NFL player and now leadership speaker Archie Manning talked to attendees about what it means to be a leader in today’s corporate world. Manning drew from his years playing in the NFL to take the audience through the ups and downs of his career and show them what leadership looks like and why we need it more than ever.
“I love the theme of your event — ‘Elevate your potential,’” said Manning. “As the people who make law firms run, you are crucial to the success of these firms. To elevate your potential is certainly a must. The most important component of success is thinking of yourself as a leader.”
On Tuesday, April 4, keynote speaker, Ellen “Ellie” Krug provided a toolkit called “Gray Area Thinking,” as a way of understanding and welcoming humans of all persuasions. She shared what it means to be transgender and offered tips on how to welcome a firm’s first (or second or third) transgender attorney, coworker or client.
“We as humans thrive on familiarity. It is the thing that we use to build our communities, and it’s the kind of thing that we as a society need,” said Krug. “And frankly, it’s familiarity that is the key to great inclusivity.”
The conference wrapped up the evening of April 5 with a black-tie optional Awards Gala wherein ALA recognized the many achievements and innovations of its members. More than 100 committee volunteers also received acknowledgement for their hard work and success over the past year. Attendees enjoyed ALA’s originally named Club 5280 to close out Wednesday evening. The dessert and dancing party highlighted DJ ROONIE G. Thirteen of ALA’s Value in Partnership (VIP) sponsors made the evening possible.
Building on the momentum and success from this year’s conference, ALA announced its 2018 Annual Conference & Expo destination. Next year’s conference will take place Thursday, May 3-Sunday, May 6, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. For details on this event and other upcoming events from ALA, visit www.alanet.org/events.
ALA’s Annual Conference & Expo provides access to knowledge, connections and market-ready solutions that transform change into opportunities. Whether new to the legal management industry or a seasoned professional, each attendee has the opportunity to learn from thought leaders and solve problems with their peers.
About the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA)
ALA is focused on the delivery of cutting-edge management and leadership products and services to the global legal community. The Association identifies and provides solutions to the most critical strategic and operational challenges its members and customers face today, and prepares them for the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow. For more information on ALA, visit www.alanet.org.
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