2000 - 2001 Annual Report
Conference & Exhibits
The SLA 92nd Annual Conference was held in the city of San Antonio, Texas USA from June 9-14. The recorded attendance for the conference was 5, 217. The theme of the 92nd SLA Annual Conference was 2001 - An Information Odyssey: Seizing the Competitive Advantage.
The San Antonio Conference Program Committee was chaired by Denise Chochrek, Bass Enterprises. Members of her committee were Charles Shellabarger, GDS Associates Inc., Carol Jacobson, US Department of Defense, Hollace Ann Rutkowski, QVC Inc., and Samantha Whitney-Ulane, Whitney-Carlyle. The Association would also like to recognize Dell Johnson, president of the Texas Chapter and all chapter members for their extended help and assistance in making the event a great success. SLA is also very pleased to have LexisNexis; Factiva, A Dow Jones & Reuters Company; and Dialog, A Thomson Company as its 92nd Annual Conference major partners. SLA is most grateful for their continued and expanded support.
There have been a number of advancements made this year in the preparation, development, and execution of the SLA Annual Conference. The following is a brief listing of just a few of the new innovations: expanded and revised Web version of the program; INFO-EXPO: SLA Information Partners, the branding of the exhibits; advance posting of the housing information on the SLA Web page; Web registration for conference attendees; introduction of a foldout conference session guide - a visual representation of the program tracks; on-line conference attendee survey; introduction of the Career Connection, formerly the Employment Clearinghouse; revision of the traditional Wednesday annual business meeting - with a keynote address; elimination of the ribbon cutting ceremony; the introduction of the Tech Zone - a series of 15 hands-on workshops for a limited number of participants that focused on the non-library technology skills necessary for today's information professional; creation of a discussion list for First Time Conference attendees; introduction of two new workshops - Fund Raising Chairs and the Consultation Chairs; and a new series of SLA products available at the SLA Marketplace.
The theme of the conference was 2001 An Information Odyssey: Seizing the Competitive Advantage. Conference programming was outlined in the track format, consisting of the following categories: Future Directions, Information Technology, Management, Networking, Positioning, and Practitioner's Toolkit. SLA President's Series, arranged by President Donna Scheeder was held on Tuesday, June 12, entitled: Branding: What Is It and How Do I Use It? The SLA Hot Topic Series covered subjects such as: collaboratories, hot technologies, and portals. The SLA Association Series was again offered with nine sessions.
On Monday, June 11th, the keynote address was given by Molly Ivins, a columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, where she writes about Texas, national politics, and other interesting happenings. The revised Wednesday, June 13th Annual Business Meeting included a keynote presentation by Dave Barry, a successful nationally syndicated columnist for the Miami Herald.
INFO-EXPO: SLA Information Partners, the new name for the exhibit hall, was unveiled at the San Antonio Annual Conference. The event opened on Sunday evening with a sneak preview of the hall. Entitled "Carnavale de San Antonio: A Texas-Style Welcome" the event was co-hosted by the SLA Texas Chapter and Factiva, a Dow Jones & Reuters Company. On Tuesday, June 11th, the traditional no conflict time (exhibits only) was transformed into an event graciously sponsored by SilverPlatter Information, entitled: Boot Scootin' Through the Exhibit Hall. Attendance in the exhibit hall was brisk and very well received by the exhibiting companies. There were approximately 345 exhibiting companies representing about 500 booths and tabletops. The SLA Strategic Technology Alliance Series had an increase in the number of program offerings over last year.
Technology played a large part in the San Antonio Annual Conference. Beginning with the revised and expanded Web advantages, this year for the first time, the SLA program planners were able to enter and submit their program information to headquarters staff via the Web. No more typing, mailing, or faxing necessary forms. To continue, the planners were then able to make their own program corrections and additions to their programs directly on the Web. The virtual exhibit hall program was expanded to include a floor plan of the hall which allowed attendees to map their journey through the hall. Conference attendees were also able to select programs, save the information and print a personal schedule for on-site conference use. SLA also introduced the very well received "Tech Zone." This was a series of 15 hands-on workshops for a limited number of participants (20 each). The workshops focused on the non-library technology skills necessary for today's information professionals to deliver quality services to their customers. This event was sponsored by Dialog, A Thomson Company. New discussion lists were instituted for various populations, most notably for use by First Time Conference Attendees prior to arrival on site. Finally, conference program content centered more on the use, impact, and future direction of technology than in past years with "e-content" subjects dominating.
Other conference components consisted of continuing education courses conducted by the SLA Strategic Learning and Development Center and the divisions; tours; division and chapter open houses; and unit business meetings. The ever popular Leadership Day was conducted on Sunday, June 10th, graciously sponsored by LexisNexis followed by unit workshops.
By all accounts the 92nd Annual Conference in San Antonio was a great success - thanks to the conference planning committee, the SLA division program planners, our sponsors and especially to those friends and members of SLA who attended the premier event for information professionals!
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