amec reports - NAWIC | Durham Chapter 83

AMEC REPORTS
NAWIC NATIONAL 60TH ANNUAL MEETING & EDUCATION CONFERENCE 2015
OMNI HOTEL & RESORT NASHVILLE, TN SEPTEMBER 2-5, 2015
Report Prepared By KRISTEY STEWART, NAWIC Durham Chapter President:
The 60th Annual Meeting & Education Conference titled “Sounds of Success: Celebrates 60 Years” was held in
Nashville, Tennessee. With meetings, seminars, workshops, mini trade shows and other functions daily there were
opportunities to enhance your career. With over 450 attendee’s we had a voting strength of 318.2. Our Region 11South Atlantic had 42 members in attendance. Emily Faber, one of our newest members attended the conference
with me, it was inspiring to watch her involvement with our members. We discovered the energy and excitement of
downtown Music City while indulging in the luxury of the Omni Downtown Nashville Hotel located adjacent to the
Country Music Hall of Fame.
We flew into Nashville on Delta Airlines Wednesday September 3rd. After getting checked into the hotel we headed
downstairs to the Broadway Ballroom located on the 2nd Floor to check-in at Registration and check-out the Mini
Tradeshow. A few of the Mini Tradeshow exhibitors included UPS, United Rentals, OSHA & NEF. After visiting &
purchasing NEF raffle tickets (Yes, I did win a Michael Kors handbag). The Welcome Reception was themed “A Little
Bit Country and Little Bit Rock N Roll” was held in the Legends Ballroom. The decorations matched the theme along
with the Karaoke & homemade “biscuits” bar! After the welcome party we extended our sights of Nashville down to
Broadway Street to enjoy the nightlife of the many Honky Tonks the legendary street has to offer.
Our day on Thursday started early with our region photos at 7:30, coffee & bagels and more coffee! The Annual
Meeting held in Broadway Ballrooms A-E and begin at 8:30 sharp. We were welcomed to Nashville by the Mayor, Karl
Dean. He gave us the low down on the City including the weekend events with included Dwight Yokham at The
Ryman Auditorium & The Tennessee Titans Pro Football Game to name a few. He was preceded by our adoption of
the annual meeting rules & conference program followed by our keynote speaker Anita Renfroe. Her topic of
discussion was “Constructing Happiness”. After the Industry Luncheon we begin our afternoon of Professional
Seminars & Workshops. We had four to choose from on that day. I found “Leveraging Masculine and Feminine
Strengths for a Better Bottom Line” to be interesting. Working in a male dominated field it is beneficial to understand
both male & female ways of thinking and behaving in the work place. We enjoyed dinner that evening at The
Southern Steak & Oyster on 3rd Avenue. The food and atmosphere were almost as enjoyable as visiting with our
region NAWIC sisters from the Columbia Chapter.
On Friday we had the “Rising Star” NEF Breakfast. From 7 – 8:30 they had a spread of breakfast foods with plenty of
juice, coffee & fruits; it was worth rising early. During breakfast they had the silent auction that included a Duke
autographed basketball donated by our Chapter to help raise money for NEF. It raised $250.00! After breakfast I
attended the following seminars: The Sensei Leader Jim Bouchard, he discussed how to have effective business
leadership using courage, compassion and wisdom. His topic regarding qualities in leadership will help me to be more
effective in my roles in my career. The Top Ten Mistakes Women Make in Networking was presented by Marny
Lifshen. In helping me too understand ways I can learn from my male colleagues will prove to be meaningful in my
career. The installation luncheon was bittersweet as we said our goodbyes to Region Director Samantha Hedgepath &
welcomed incoming Region Director Lorie Lythgoe. The Region Meeting that afternoon in Cumberland Room 4. Once
again hearing from our past & present directors we moved right into discussions for Annual Planning Conference
scheduled for November 13 & 14 in New Bern.
AMEC REPORTS
NAWIC NATIONAL 60TH ANNUAL MEETING & EDUCATION CONFERENCE 2015
OMNI HOTEL & RESORT NASHVILLE, TN SEPTEMBER 2-5, 2015
CONTINUED…
After a day filled with education we enjoyed dinner with more NAWIC sisters at Tacos, Tequila & Whiskey in the
Bakersfield district. Where the authentic Mexican street fare has a selection of over 100 tequilas & American
whiskeys. The food was simple and atmosphere was alive! The reminder of this evening included dancing at more of
the Nashville Honky Tonks including the famous Tootsies Orchid Lounge & Honky Tonk Central; where some of
Nashville’s top performers were on all 3 levels of the prototypical historic watering holes the riverfront area has to
offer.
On Saturday afternoon, we joined the ladies with the Charlotte Chapter for a Nashville Scenic Bus Tour with “Tommy
Tours”. Along with providing us the comical history of the City, Tommy drove us by some of the famous attractions in
Nashville starting with the Ryman Auditorium, Bridgestone Arena, Centennial Park & RCA Studio B including making a
stop to go inside the famous Union Station Hotel. We drove out to Brentwood passing by The Bluebird Café, Belmont
Mansion and home of Taylor Swift’s Mother just to name a few. Oh, and least not forget, the homes of Dolly Parton,
Martina McBride & Dirks Bentley. We enjoyed a little down time after returning to the hotel before the final evening
events!
Our NAWIC Awards Gala on Saturday evening included Black Eye Pea Soup, Beef Tenderloin with wild mushrooms and
spiced turnip puree ending with chocolate mousse that was delightful. We listened as awards were given and a red
jacket was bestowed upon a rising member. The highlight of the event for me was seeing our own Region member
Dove Sifers-Putman received NAWIC’s Member of the Year award. We also heard the farewell speech from our 20152016 National President Sandy Field and introduction of our 2014-2015 National President Rick Lovejoy including our
own Region Director Lori Lythgoe. The upcoming 2016 National Convention is scheduled to be held in San Antonio,
Texas. I look forward to attending and hope we can have more members from our Chapter present!