Conference 2009 Wrap-up
More than 800 people came together in Seattle -- from across North America and from countries around the world-- to talk, think, learn and enjoy the OD community. It truly did feel like it was our time. This event has become the professional capstone yearly for dozens of OD networks and hundreds of individuals. As such, many people created and carried out the rich program and renewing experience that was OD Network Conference 2009. There is no way to thank each contributor; our most grateful appreciation and thanks goes out to all, including:
- each and every attendee of Conference 2009. You are the heart of the
experience. - generous and preeminent faculty who offer their time, energy and
commitment.
- Sponsors and exhibitors who chose, once again, to support our work.
- the dozens of volunteers who put in long days during the event in
order to make the time more fulfilling for their colleagues. In particular,
thanks to Sharon Lieder and Laurie Reuben, volunteer coordinators who put in
hundreds of hours to support this event. - the Board and staff of the OD Network who rise to the challenge to
make this the premier OD event every year
In particular, thank you to the 2009 Program Development Committee and to the Regional Planning Team for countless hours of thought and time--helping to guide the program and shape the experience with a distinctly Pacific Northwest flavor. And hats off to the Pacific Northwest OD Network for having such fine, energetic members and for sposnoring with us the Tuesday night Gala at the Seattle Space Needle!
Scenes from Conference 2009
Our thanks once again to photographer and OD colleague Robin Reid for his deft touch with a camera. You can see all photos and download any you like, when you click here.
Conference Day by Day from Matt Minahan...
Day One: Friday, October 16, 2009
What a cool city in which to be holding our conference. Water, mountains,
snow, boats, skis, bikes, renewable energy, bio tech, hi tech, Microsoft .
. . did I say water and boats?
This year, the conference theme is "Now Is Our Time: Advancing the Theory
and Practice of OD." The program has a sort of matrix structure, with
Program Tracks on Building Communities and Connections, Developing Leaders
and Managing Talent, Demonstrating the Value of OD, Practicing Outside the
Box, and Enlarging Our Toolkit. Then there are threads which run through
the themes for HR professionals in an OD role, internal OD consultants, OD
professionals in healthcare, and OD and sustainability. Can't even escape
an organizational matrix at a conference!
Seattle superstar and master OD consultant Geoff Bellman hosted a
gathering for two of our European colleagues, Rob Filjstra and Harry
Wullings, who asked us if we were OD tour guides and challenged us to be
expedition leaders.
Back at the Sheraton in Seattle, it's a small-ish group gathering here
now, collecting the timber and preparing the ground for what is gonna be
one great big roaring bonfire of knowledge, experience, gathering,
networking, socializing, and reconnecting with friends and colleagues from
around the world. What could be better than that? Still time to warm up
with us . . . drop in for a day or for the whole experience . . . this
is one not to be missed.
To follow Matt through the week and read each day's posting, click here.
