I went to my first ACE/NETC conference as a graduate student. It was both overwhelming and exciting. But I came out of it knowing I wanted to be a land-grant communicator. However, I would never have made it to that conference and discovered my career without the support and encouragement from several people to attend the conference.
Look around your office. Who hasn’t been to ACE/NETC before? Who can you invite this year? We know many organizations employees to submit awards or presentations before going to a conference. But for many of us, we need to first go to the conference to feel comfortable about submitting an award application or presentation.
I encourage you to take the time to invite someone. Explain to them the benefits of attending, show them the website and previous conference programs, and help them register, if need be. Once they get to ACE/NETC, make sure they have someone to sit with during meals and offer yourself as a mentor throughout the conference. While you may be tempted to focus on your long-time friends who you only get to see once a year at ACE/NETC, be inclusive by making this new person part of your circle. Ensure that they have a great experience so that they’ll return next year, engaged, ready to participate and eager to extend their circle of friends and colleagues.
Emily Eubanks
Coordinator, Information Office
UF Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology
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