The 2007 Technology Conference marked my first real introduction to ASAE. It also served as my introduction to the Jeff and Ben, which led to me introduction to the Blogoclump as a whole, which in turn jump started my blogging and involvement in the association community. That chain of events made the event more than worth the price for admission and a great reason to attend it again this year. I just made the trip from PA to DC this afternoon and am happily settled into my hotel room at the Embassy Suites.

From the look at the agenda, the educational sessions look pretty solid and definitely relevant to me, especially as I make some changes at work.

I am currently in the process of shifting my focus from the leadership online learning area to leading a very large project that will impact our component organizations and is looking at literally transforming our online components into true communities of practice. I’ve been working on this project for over a year already in a stretch assignment that I did in conjunction with my other position, but it’s become apparent that due to the complexity, critical importance and my own bandwidth that a choice had to be made. I chose to go this route because of the challenge and the fact that the project involves people, technology, processes, complex systems, and a lot of change management. I also think that the project is going to really set the help establish a new baseline for our communities for quite some time to come.

I’m going to do my best to post regularly from the event and share some of the insights, conversations, lessons learned from not only the formal event but also the informal learning that takes place. It should be great and I look forward to the days ahead.

Just a note to let folks know that I am going to be out of the country for the next week. I am off to participate in one of my employers Leadership Meetings and Global Congresses in Budapest, Hungary.

This will be my first time in Europe so I am quite excited. I am sure there will be plenty of opportunity to see some really historic locations, take some great pictures and make some lasting memories.

Since I am trying to keep the blog tied into technology, here is a great tool that can be used personally and professionally. I was able to create a map of my flight information to Budapest using Google Maps using the My Maps capability. To use it simply go to Google Maps and then click on the Create Personalized Maps button.

(more…)