Submitted by Ed Holtum, Chair, 2007 Joint Annual Meeting Publicity Committee
Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
The Missouri River was the gathering point for camaraderie, fun, entertainment, and education as well over 200 participants from sixteen states gathered for the Joint Midwest/Midcontinental MLA Chapter Meeting in Omaha. “License to Learn/License to Lead” proved to be a memorable experience as evidenced by the many comments received by the Planning Committee:
For those of you who attended, you’ll have your own favorite moments. Perhaps it was the classy and sumptuous reception at the McGoogan Library listening to the Mainstring Jazz Quintet while downing delicious delicacies, or seeing a colleague win a well-deserved award. Perhaps it was one or more of the well-received plenary speakers or a paper or poster that struck your fancy and inspired or ignited your imagination. You may have learned something quite special at one of the many, well-attended CE classes or spent some valuable schmoozing time with a vendor at an exhibit or a breakfast session.
The drizzly weather did not curtail the many Omaha epicurean experiences made possible through the varied “dine-arounds.” And who could forget the wonderful secret agent performance by “Shaffer...Chris Shaffer” and “Lander...Jim Lander,” the musical nightcap with Kenny O and T. Scott, and to top off the evening, the fetching and sinuous Rebecca Graves, designated belly-dancer of the Midcontinental Region whose memorable fund-raising performance established a new level in practice guidelines.
Kudos to the various planning committees, speakers, presenters, and the multitudes who worked so hard to make this conference a success. Next year the Midwest and Midcontinental groups will once again go their separate ways. In the meantime, take some time to go to the conference blog and relive your Omaha experience.