Diary of an IAWP Conference Director....so much to tell you all....

Hello IAWP Conference fans!  I apologize as it has been a long time since my last update.  So much has happened in the past month.  For one, I have been to Las Vegas, Nevada for the Early Board Meeting (snapped this photograph at the Winnipeg Airport just before I left) where I provided an update on the conference planning.   One of the most exciting news items I had to tell the Board was the day I was leaving my fellow IAWP 2014 Committee members were gladly accepting a sponsorship cheque from Continental Tire!  Anyone who has planned a conference knows the value of the corporate support.

Not long after arriving home from the Early Board Meeting, I was back in the swing of things.  IAWP 2014 Executive Committee members meet on the third Wednesday of every month so that everyone keeps on track.  On top of that regular meeting, sub committees meet to plan the various aspects.  The Program Committee has recently toured the conference hotel and finalized which training sessions will be in the various rooms.   They have also nearly finalized all the training sessions so watch for the full agenda soon.

The other major development that IAWP 2014 has to announce is that we have received generous funding through the Western Diversification (Federal Government) to host our Trade Show and to provide French translation.  This funding was made possible through a partnership with the Manitoba Association of Chiefs of Police, who you may recall are also our partners for the Opening Ceremony.  Information on the Trade Show is now being distributed to sponsors and interested vendors/companies.  We are sure that this aspect of the conference will be a great success.

Have you ever planned a parade?  That is one huge endeavor but the Special Events Committee seems to have this well in hand.  Parade permits have been secured and I have recently been advised that IAWP 2014 has secured commitment from local Girl Guides to carry the country signs for us.  This was a great idea we borrowed from other committees (2011 and 2012). 

Tonight marks my last night doing double duty...working my normal job on a platoon and conference planning.  Winnipeg Police Service Chief Clunis has been supportive of the IAWP 2014 Conference from the start and has agreed to allow me to finish the conference planning full time.   I have an RCMP counterpart who is also going to work full time with me starting on May 5th.

Thanks to all of you who are keeping in touch and sending proposals for training sessions and expressing interest in our conference in general.  I can tell you that the IAWP 2014 Committee is looking forward to hosting you here in Winnipeg this fall!