President's Welcome
Whether
you are just starting out or have been working in this industry for
years, attending a NAPO conference is without a doubt one of the
most important investments you can make in your professional growth. As
I celebrate my 10th year in business, the NAPO Annual Conference
continues to be the highlight of my organizing year. It is an
incredible learning opportunity guaranteed to energize and empower us
with new ideas that will take our business to the next level.
NAPO’s 18th Annual Conference promises to be our biggest and best ever!
With 900 attendees expected, we have instituted some exciting and
innovative changes in program format to accommodate everyone. From more
intimate workshop sessions to our largest Expo ever, the opportunities
will abound for networking with colleagues from around the world and
creating new business contacts. Make plans now to immerse
yourself in what is truly the only organizing event of its kind. No
matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find it here! I look forward to
welcoming you to Boston!
Barry J. Izsak
NAPO President
Program Chair's Welcome
On
behalf of the program committee, I’d like to invite you to Boston and
to NAPO’s 2006 Annual Conference. We are thrilled to offer you a
powerful lineup of preconference workshops, keynote addresses,
concurrent sessions, and an Open Space session. This year’s committee
made a commitment to entertain only programs with the highest level of
learning possible for all attendees. On this year’s main schedule you
won’t find “beginner” topics such as basic how-tos of organizing or
starting a business. We’ll hear from an unprecedented number of outside
speakers and well-known authors. It’s exciting to see these non–
organizing professionals take an interest in our growing industry.
You’ll also find yoga in the morning, more Expo time throughout the
conference, and Open Space as a stand-alone Saturday afternoon, with no
competing activities. Years ago, when this lovely, historic venue was
select-ed, no one could have predicted the revolutionary growth in our
industry. So, if at any point you’re feeling a little cramped, take
that chance to celebrate the incredible growth of our wonderful
industry, smile at your neighbor, and rest assured that we’ll have more
space in future years! I look forward to seeing you in Boston.
Porter Knight
2006 NAPO Conference Chair