Karen P. Summey
Conover, North Carolina
828.466.1822
karen@karensummey.com

Accomplishments

Situation/Task:
Establish an educational non-degree (continuing education) event that:

• Showcases the Hickory Metro Higher Education Center (HMHEC), including state-of-the-art SMART technology, twelve classrooms, videoconferencing capability, lobby and other common areas, and professional and technical staff
• Supports the mission of HMHEC by enhancing education and supporting the economic development of the region
• Offers an opportunity for regional collaboration among multiple public and private organizations, residents, and workers
• Enhances the skills and knowledge of attendees with regard to new and emerging technologies
  

Action:
Conceptualized a one-day conference to provide educational information on new and emerging technologies; inaugural event, with the possibility of becoming an annual event

Specifics:

• One day, seven-hour conference
• 58 concurrent sessions
  • Nearly 50 unique sessions
  • 45-50 minutes each, including Q&A
• Location: HMHEC
  • Concurrent sessions: twelve state-of-the-art SMART classrooms
  • Technology exhibitors: lobby exhibition space with 8' x 10' pipe-and-drape booths
• Attendance registration goal: 250
• Session leaders: Numerous college and university faculty, industry experts, business people, etc.
• Dedicated conference website

Turnkey management:

• Established and chaired a regional planning team, including faculty and administrators from partnering colleges and universities, senior administrator from local chamber of commerce, president of local economic development, and technology consultant from NC Department of Public Instruction
• Coordinated with regional event calendars to schedule a date for the conference
• Booked all public space in Hickory Metro Higher Education Center (twelve classrooms, additional breakout rooms, and lobby)
• Drafted a list of more than 40 potential session topics
• Established a $17,000 budget, presented to managing board and gained approval
• Developed sponsor packets and solicited sponsorship
• Developed presenter guidelines
• Established conference technical parameters
  

Results:

The conference was scheduled and held on October 24, 2007. The event was attended by approximately 200 people. Evaluation data confirmed that participants were overwhelmingly pleased with the pre-conference communications and registration, selection of concurrent sessions, hospitality, etc. Conference evaluations also indicated that a majority of participants would attend subsequent events.

The executive committee of the Hickory Metro Higher Ed Center were also pleased with preliminary results from the conference and will be given more comprehensive data at the full December board meeting.

Given these results, the 21st Century Technologies conference will become an annual event for as long as the market dictates.