What’s in Your Professional Toolbox?

By Kathryn Tesar

AWC Austin’s annual half-day Get Smart Conference is scheduled for Friday, September 21, and this year’s event promises some welcome enhancements. For six years, Get Smart has provided both AWC members and non-members with opportunities to hear from some of our region’s leading communicators and thinkers, who’ve offered advice on achieving and maintaining success.

Discover the Latest Communication Technology and Tools at Get Smart 2012
Get Smart 2012 continues our tradition of promoting excellence, with a theme of Building a Better Toolbox: Exploring Communication Strategy, Trends and Technology. The theme is in direct response to requests that the conference focus more on “hard” skills for communicators. And that’s not the only way Get Smart planners have responded to AWC members, who’ve also asked for longer sessions and more affordable pricing.

Members and other attendees can expect the following changes at this year’s Get Smart Conference, which were implemented to make the experience more beneficial to a greater number of people:

• Lower prices! – In order to make GS more affordable during this difficult economy, AWC Austin has reduced registration prices more than 25 percent. Early registration (through August 27) is $65 for members and $75 for non-members – down from $89 and $109, respectively. Students can register for just $45.

• A more affordable venue – we’ll gather at the University of Texas Commons Learning Center on the J.J. Pickle Research Campus, which promises not only the comforts of hotel conference facilities, but also state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment and ample convenient parking – all at a much lower cost. (Click on the link above to check out the Commons Learning Center and its amenities.)

• Longer breakout sessions – The morning keynote address has been replaced with longer breakout sessions, which have been expanded from 60 to 75 minutes to allow more time for questions and discussion. As at previous Get Smart conferences, there will still be a lunchtime keynote speaker, and this year we are pleased to announce Elizabeth Christian will be addressing our attendees.

• Focus on day-to-day hard communication skills and tools – Get Smart 2012 will include sessions on such topics as managing difficult client meetings, creating and implementing multi-media campaign strategies, and developing online writing skills, among others.

We’re excited about these changes and how they’ll benefit our fellow AWC members and communications professionals. One thing that won’t change is the atmosphere of learning, discovery and collegial support. We’re looking forward to another educational and energizing day among friends and colleagues.

Look for details on breakout sessions, the keynote speaker and other aspects of Get Smart 2012 in upcoming blog posts and newsletters. Email your questions or comments to getsmart@wcaustin.org.