As the lucky member of a large and extended family, I can tell you that there are very few events in life - outside of college - that are as rollicking and fun as a full-out family reunion. I have fond memories of softball, horseshoes, fried dough, 3-liter bottles of soda, and my entertaining Aunt Jackie. Based on those childhood experiences, I'm a sucker for any event that includes (1) friends and family; (2) activities; (3) food; and (4) libations. That's why it was nice to see so many Capital Chapter members at the Annual Conference in Grapevine, TX last month.
In case you were not one of the 50+ area members who attended, read on to see what your Capital Chapter "family" was up to in the Lone Star State.
Our chapter had a high profile at the conference. Marguerite Downey (Chapter President-Elect), Tammy Mangan, Gail Hageman, Monica Phillips, Rudy Burwell, Lisa Gianakos, Paul Bonner, and yours truly had speaking roles. (Sorry if I missed anyone!)
In the Your Honor Awards, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan walked away with Best in Show for their "Sutherland Legal Project Management" program and several other area firms won, placed or showed in other categories. Felice Wagner was inducted into the LMA Hall of Fame, joining Burkey Belser (also in attendance) and Norm Rubenstein (not in attendance and missed by all) as current Capital Chapter International Hall of Famers -- so congratulate Felice when you see her.
LMA International President-Elect Aleisha Gravit and Governance Chair Diana Kroner also attended, along with former - and forever honorary, in my book - Capital Chapter member and current International Treasurer-Elect, Kimberly Bell. Former International and Capital Chapter LMA President Kim Perret also made the trip to Grapevine, and still owes me a call.
Chapter board members Amy Knapp, Sabrina McGowan, Sarah Painter and Jean Brinker also attended and highly recommend the conference for anyone who hasn't been to an Annual Conference yet.
It was nice to see former board members Abby Bradfield and Jeorjina Maltbie whose terms have overlapped with my own. It was also good to see Lucy Jones, Erin Dwyer, Laurie Spielman, Elaine Noble, Marsha Redmon, Lisa Pavia, John Hellerman, Jennifer Bonesteel, Donna Greenfield, Erika Ritzer, and scores of other Capital Chapter members.
One of the biggest pieces of news to come out of the conference was the location of next year's Annual Conference - ARIA in Las Vegas, NV (Hint: Get to know Capital Chapter member Jolene Boatwright). If you've yet to attend an Annual Conference or haven't attended in a while, my recommendation is you immediately submit your request to go next year. With our own Tara Magee Weintritt serving as Conference Co-Chair combined with the location, I am confident this will be one of the best conferences in years. Go early and stay late, that's my advice!
Sincerely,
Ezra Crawford
2012 LMA Capital Chapter President
By Ezra Crawford, Director of Marketing at BuckleySandler LLP for the March/April 2012 Issue of the Capital Ideas Newsletter.