Setting YOUR Potential Free!

by Erika Arnhart, Spring Conference Chair

Mark your calendars now! The District 54 2010 Spring Conference will be held April 16-17, 2010 at the Par-a-Dice Hotel Casino in East Peoria, IL!

Your Conference Committee is excited to bring you Dr. “Chief” Donald Grady, Ph.D., as our Keynote Speaker. Dr. Grady, our Spring 2009 C&L Award recipient, inspired and challenged us in ways that we never imagined during his brief acceptance speech last year. We are fortunate that he has agreed to come back to District 54 to share more of his life story and experiences with us, addressing our theme “Setting Your Potential Free.” Dr. Grady will undoubtedly have much to share, having had a long and impressive career including time in the Army, law enforcement, and most recently, as the Chief of Police and Public Safety at Northern Illinois University.

Rest assured, this is going to be a Conference you will not want to miss! Between the Friday “Game Night for Bragging Rights,” the District Executive Council meeting, the International Speech and Evaluation Contests, and engaging educational sessions, there’s bound to be something of interest for everyone! In addition, the Conference Committee is planning a special first timers’ reception Friday evening and a club attendance promotion! For every club in our district with three or more members in attendance, an entry will be placed into a drawing. The prize will include a pizza gift certificate (from a local pizza establishment) and a gift certificate to the Toastmasters International store. We truly desire everyone from within the District to come to the Conference, but, if this is not the case, this promotion will allow attendees to take back a small part of the event to their local clubs. Five pizza and TI store gift certificates will be given away, one for each Division. We will buy the lunch; you share the story of what you experienced!

As you can see, everything on the weekend’s agenda is being planned with you in mind! It is our sincerest hope that this Conference will help you reach your full potential as a communicator and leader within Toastmasters and your community. Plan now to attend – and bring your family, friends, and guests, as well. Complete event details, including online and mail-in registration information, can be found at potential2010.com.

Clubs and area businesses also have another unique opportunity to be a part of the Conference experience by advertising and/or placing messages in our program. Interested parties can find additional information on the Conference website under the “Sponsors” tab or may contact Laurie Heermance, the Spring Conference Marketing Chair. Deadline for ad submission is March 1 to be included in the program.