Feature | 2005 Conference
NIRSA 2005 in Orlando: A Conference to Remember
Conference Highlights from Karen Bach, NIRSA Education Director
The 2005 NIRSA Annual Conference & Recreational Sports Expo had an all-time attendance record of 2,119 attendees: 1339 Professional Members, 750 Student Members, and thirty guests. The 2005 Program Chair Sid Gonsoulin (University of Southern Mississippi) and Co-Chairs Maureen McGonagle (DePaul University) and Jodi Hawkins (University of Rhode Island) worked more than a year with an exceptional committee on all the programming details, including the selection of educational content and keynote speakers. In addition, the Host Committee, lead by James Wilkening (University of Central Florida), worked tirelessly to plan and execute pre-conference trips, Theme Night at SeaWorld Orlando, the bowling and dance socials, and the Make a Child Smile program.
Warm and sunny Orlando weather set the stage for a spectacular conference. On Tuesday, 230 golfers participated in the Foundation Golf Tournament while others joined one of the many pre-conference trips or workshops, and some attendees wasted no time getting to work in the NIRSA Foundation Career Opportunities Center.
On Wednesday morning, most attendees made their way to the Opening General Session for the inspirational keynote speech from Dr. Richard Flynn, President of Springfield College, who offered a prescription for leadership success in campus recreation. The newly-endowed Sonia & Max Gartenberg Foundation Scholarship was awarded to Megan Thomas from Sam Houston State University. President Tamra Garstka raced from the general session to cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the Expo Hall: a big thank you goes to the 128 exhibitors! The Wednesday night activity at SeaWorld also boasted a record number for Theme Night when a total of 1,748 attendees showed up for an evening of food and fun.
Thursday morning started with laughs from Bruce Christopher, keynote speaker for the Second General Session, who took a humorous look at how men and women think, speak, and make decisions differently. Awards presented during this session included the Outstanding Sports Facilities Awards, the Creative Excellence Awards and the United States Tennis Association/NIRSA Tennis Ace Awards. The past presidents convened over the lunch hour and Student Members held their business meeting in the afternoon. Evening activities offered many opportunities, including the Student Social, the People of Color Social, and the NIRSA Dance & Bowling parties.
Friday morning's Annual Business Meeting was dedicated to Association business, including the presentation of the Flag Football and Recreational Sports Journal Awards, and concluded with the announcement of NIRSA's new President Elect, Maureen McGonagle. In the afternoon, President Tamra, Executive Director Kent Blumenthal, and Host Committee members delivered donated toys for the Make a Child Smile program.
By Saturday, educational sessions and the Career Opportunities Center were still going strong; however, increased numbers of attendees were being spotted poolside at the various conference hotels. By the evening everyone had on their finest attire for the Honor Award Banquet. Many important honors were announced and the group was ecstatic to learn that Patricia Besner, University of Toledo, was the 2005 Honor Award winner.
When new President Greg Jordan's gavel signaled the end of the Conference, all attendees agreed that the 2005 Annual Conference and Recreational Sports Exposition was our biggest and brightest yetÑundeniably, one for the record books!
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