Out of concern for the health and safety of attendees, NFDA is canceling its in-person Leadership Conference, scheduled for August 3-5 in Charleston, SC. The association is excited to proceed with an all-virtual event, that will include the same dynamic speakers and opportunities for networking with peers.
While NFDA hoped it could safely host an in-person event, with COVID-19 cases in the United States spiking in certain states, it became clear the association could not do so. Moving to an all-virtual event assures the well-being of attendees, speakers and staff.
The Virtual Leadership Conference will mimic the planned in-person event. Attendees will hear from a variety of experts:
- NFDA President-elect Randy Anderson and Secretary Dutch Nie will help state association leaders understand how they can take their commitment to the profession to the next level through service on the NFDA Board of Directors.
- Lowell Aplebaum, CAE, CPF, is the CEO of Vista Cova, a company that partners with organizations on strategic visioning and planning, creating stronger stakeholder connections, and reimagining value and engagement. He will help attendees discover how to help their state associations deliver value and exceptional experiences for members.
- Andra Watkins is the New York Times best-selling author of Not Without My Father: One Woman's 444-Mile Walk of the Natchez Trace, a memoir about a dysfunctional family adventure. During her talk, Watkins will share the story of why she walked 444 miles to make a memory with her father.
- During her talk Change Redefined: Turn Uncertainty Into Competitive Advantage, Meridith Elliot Powell will show attendees how to attract more business, retain top talent, and leap into position to win during this unprecedented time. Her straightforward approach contains real-life strategies that can be put into place when attendees return home.
Virtual conference participants will be able to ask questions of speakers and have discussions with fellow conference attendees, just as they would have during the in-person event.
One of the most popular sessions of the Leadership Conference are the “Breakout by Office” discussions during which association officers and executives break into peer groups to talk about challenges they face in their roles and share strategies for success. These discussions will proceed in NFDA’s virtual format.
In all, virtual attendees can earn up to seven CE credits during this year’s Virtual Leadership Conference.
For more information and to register for the 2020 Virtual Leadership Conference, visit www.nfda.org/leadership.
Did You Register for the In-person Conference?
NFDA will contact those who registered for the in-person conference with information about adjusting their registration to the virtual event or receiving a refund.
Additionally, it is the responsibility of registrants who booked hotel rooms directly with Belmond Charleston Place to cancel their hotel rooms. Even if you receive an email from the hotel regarding the cancellation of your hotel room, it is strongly advised you contact the hotel to confirm it is canceled. NFDA will not be responsible for any hotel charges if attendees who booked directly don't cancel their rooms. Guests who booked directly have 72 hours prior to arrival to cancel their reservations without penalty. Call Belmond Charleston Place at 843-722-4900.