Conference offers business tips for communications professionals
Communication Central's first conference, "Build Your Communications Business," brought talented experts to Rochester, NY, from September 29-October 1, 2006, to help colleagues improve professional skills, learn new marketing techniques, get motivated to succeed and more.
Speakers were:
* Peter Bowerman, the "Well-Fed Writer" himself;
* Hilary Powers, professional editor and Microsoft Word guru;
* Mary Anne Shew, business coach and marketing consultant;
* Ruth E. Thaler-Carter, an expert on launching an editorial business; and
* Kat Nagel, tech writer/editor, expert in promoting your business through websites and other technology.
The conference included an opening reception on Friday evening, Sept. 29, and a full day of programming on Saturday, Sept. 30, with a continental breakfast, keynote luncheon, concurrent morning and afternoon sessions, and a wrap-up reception with useful giveaways.
Hilary Powers presented a stand-alone pre-conference workshop for novice and intermediate users of Microsoft Word on Friday afternoon, Sept. 29, for an additional fee. Conference offerings on Saturday, Sept. 30, included another Word session with Powers, for those who took the Friday session or were already at or beyond the intermediate-user level. The concepts presented were helpful to owners of various operating systems and versions of Word, including OSX 10.4.7 (Tiger) with Word X for Mac (~2001) and Word (for Mac) 2004, thanks to concordance-like assistance from Communication Central co-owner Kat Nagel.
Here's what participants had to say:
"I can't say enough great things about Hilary and her workshop. It was wonderful to meet her and learn from her in person. Thanks, Hilary, for a terrific program! ... Thanks also to Ruth and Kat for all the preparation that made it such a success."
"[T]hank you SO much for a lovely, informative luncheon! I bought Peter's book with his signature and am already into it. The table I sat at was wonderful and I made contact with (a colleague) who also does academic writing. Have ideas about something I can do with ebooks. Peter is right. Writing, not copywriting."
"I want to congratulate you on a great conference and for having such an entertaining, informative speaker (Peter Bowerman) for your first event!"
"I'm really glad I decided to come. Thanks for putting this together. I look forward to next year!"
"Thanks for putting together a great conference!"
" ... what a GREAT conference!! I'm so glad I could attend! I'm recommending it to others, and I hope I'll be able to be there again next year."
Scenes from the 2006 conference
Hilary Powers gives participants the information they need about using Word.
Kat Nagel discusses effective websites. Participants network over lunch. Peter Bowerman pitches his popular "Well-fed Writer" books.
Peter Bowerman wows the crowd with his insights into marketing editorial services.
SAVINGS for organization members! Because networking is a core value of Communication Central, members of more than a dozen professional organizations were able to attend for reduced fees for the conference and the pre-conference Microsoft Word workshop.
Participants also enjoyed small-group dinner outings at local restaurants on Friday and Saturday evenings, a late-night trip to one of Rochester's famed Wegmans grocery stores, and an optional brunch on Sunday, Oct. 1. For families of out-of-town visitors, the conference committee provided a list of local attractions and sightseeing opportunities and obtained guest passes to the George Eastman House and Strong-National Museum of Play.
Click here for 2006 program, topic and speaker details. For insights into what we learned from the experience of organizing and hosting that event, check out Ruth Thaler-Carter's article at the AdHub:
http://www.adhub.com/columns/ruth_thaler_carter01.html
For background information about Communication Central owners Ruth and Kat, just go to our individual websites (www.writerruth.com and www.masterworkconsulting.com).
If you weren't able to invest in your future by attending the 2006 conference, don't despair: We will be offering conference highlights shortly - and we're going to be back with another exciting conference in 2007. Go to the home page for details!
CommCentral Conference Release (PDF)
CommCentral Conference Release (Word document)