Over 5,000 at SLA 2008 "Break Rules & Build Bridges" During Special Libraries Association Annual Conference in Seattle

Largest Gathering of Info Pros in North America Hosts Attendees from Six Continents

Alexandria, Virginia, USA, 27 June 2008 - Exhibition and attendance figures for the Special Libraries Association's (SLA) annual conference and INFO-EXPO held in Seattle, 15 - 18 June, exceeded planners' expectations and included, for the second year in a row, SLA members from every chapter around the globe.

Final attendance figures for SLA 2008 totaled 5,011 individuals from six continents. Of that number, 845 participants were first-time SLA conference participants. SLA's INFO-EXPO, the largest information and knowledge management exposition in North America and the most significant gathering of content and technology providers in the world, featured 283 companies and organizations and 464 total booths. SLA welcomed 50 new exhibitors in 2008.

"SLA delivered yet another relevant and cutting-edge conference this year. Going by the positive feedback, inspired discussions, and the excitement I heard from attendees, I think it is safe to say SLA 2008 lived up to its theme of Breaking Rules and Building Bridges," said SLA Chief Executive Officer Janice R. Lachance. "SLA members are breaking the rules that define the profession and their place in it. They are constantly shattering stereotypes and conventional wisdom surrounding what it means to be a librarian or info pro in the 21st century."

Lachance continued, "The programs offered in Seattle were designed to help info pros and librarians build more value into the services they provide, and expand into new roles in today's information economy," said Lachance. "Next year SLA will celebrate its centennial, and the Centennial Conference in Washington, DC, will be the perfect opportunity to honor our past, while looking toward tomorrow and beyond. The excitement for the future of this profession is palpable and this energy and enthusiasm should carry us through another 100 years!"

Flashback
SLA 2008 officially began on 15 June at the Washington State Convention Center with the Grand Opening of the INFO-EXPO exhibit hall. Later that evening, SLA's 2008 Award Recipients were honored for their accomplishments in the information industry during the Opening General Session and Awards Ceremony.

It was an evening very much focused on the future of information. The Opening General Session began with a description of SLA's new Innovation Laboratory by SLA President Stephen Abram. He described how the lab will allow SLA members to experiment with Enterprise 2.0 tools in a risk-free environment.

The session culminated with a keynote presentation featuring Google's Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist, one of the "Fathers of the Internet," Dr. Vint Cerf, who was interviewed by award-winning journalist Charlie Rose.

After being introduced, Rose, who was seated next to Cerf, told the audience of librarians, info pros and their partners, "What we do is dependent upon good information, and you are the masters of that." Both approachable and inspiring, Cerf provided a fascinating perspective on how the Internet started, where we are now, and the major issues we are facing. When asked by Rose about the future of content delivery, Cerf struck a chord within the audience of info pros and librarians. "Somehow, when all this is matured, everyone will have access to the knowledge of everyone who wants to share what they know. That idea is so wonderful. You can learn something from anyone," said Cerf.

Seth Godin Schools SLA on Marketing Value
Seth Godin is a best selling author, entrepreneur, and agent of change. Addressing the audience of librarians and information professionals during the Closing General Session, he shared a very powerful message. Taking a moment to compliment SLA members, Godin said, "It's hard for me to find smart audiences. I wanted to talk to this group because you get it--you understand opportunities. Every person in this room is a marketer. Librarians spread ideas--truth is meaningless if it doesn't spread--we need to figure out how to do that."

According to Godin, marketing and story telling can change employers' perception of info pros. He discussed how important it is to "clear through clutter" to get to remarkable bits. That as consumers, we see clutter on the store shelves, clutter from the content providers (databases, books, journals, websites, portals, etc.) and, according to Godin, "we are dealing with clutter with more clutter."

His advice to librarians and info pros, "Yelling and hoping to make enough money doesn't work. People won't be forced. When people know the story we want them to know, we've done a good job." He said, "Either keep pushing against the wind or change what you're doing and have the wind at your back. Tell your story."

2008 Annual Membership Meeting
Following a well received report from SLA Treasurer Sylvia James, the membership heard from SLA CEO Janice R. Lachance, who delivered her annual State of the Association address. Lachance emphasized that SLA is undertaking an extensive, research-based examination of the profession, and of SLA's position in the evolving information economy.

The CEO's upbeat and inspirational speech touched on all of the innovations and enhancements the association has made in new products and services in the last year, as well as provided motivational words to the audience. Lachance said, "You are intelligent, caring, dedicated professionals who do not tend to call attention to yourselves but... rather...let your work speak for itself. Applying old stereotypes...some may see you as passive. I KNOW you are passionate."

She continued, "It is time for this passion to be recognized and appreciated by everyone. It is time for you to take control of YOUR future. I have never been more optimistic about the future of this profession and I have never been more confident of your success."

SLA members were then updated on the progress of the research-based project by members of the team from Fleishman-Hillard and Outsell, as well as given a brief preview of the plans for the SLA Centennial Celebration in 2009. The SLA Annual Conference and INFO EXPO celebrating 100 years of SLA will be held in Washington, DC, 14-17 June. The theme for the Centennial conference is: "Information to Inspiration: Knowledge & Vision Shaping the Future."

About SLA
The Special Libraries Association (SLA) is a nonprofit global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners. SLA serves more than 11,000 members in 75 countries in the information profession, including corporate, academic, and government information specialists. SLA promotes and strengthens its members through learning, advocacy, and networking initiatives. For more information, visit us on the Web at www.sla.org.