(03/15/18)
By Kim Nix, Alabama Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources

Kim Nix, ACI President

It’s time to start planning to attend the ACI Conference July 29 – Aug. 2, 2018, in Springfield, Mo.

Why should you go? I can think of at least three reasons.

1. To Connect – Attending the conference allows you to connect with people in your same type of job in different areas of the country. We all have some of the same challenges, so having people to discuss ideas with is beneficial. The theme of this year’s conference is “Connecting the Dots: An Integrated Communications Approach.”
2. To Learn – Heather Feeler and the conference committee in Missouri have put together a great agenda. Topics include Shooting Video with Drones, Using the Public to Shape Your Website, Presenting Complicated Content to Any Crowd, Understanding Today’s Youth Culture and Diversity and Inclusion in the Outdoors. There will also be specialized breakout groups talking about marketing, magazines, video and apps.
3. To Be WOWed – Springfield is the headquarters for Bass Pro Shops and the new Johnny Morris National Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium (WOW, for short). A visit to the facility is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. I peeked at their website, and it looks awesome! www.wondersofwildlife.org

If the above hasn’t convinced you to attend, there’s more. The annual ACI award winners will be announced at a banquet on Wednesday night.

A Conference Approval Letter has been placed on the ACI website, and you can modify it to fit your situation. It will help convince your boss that you need to attend.

Hope to see you there!