WHAT TO EXPECT AT INSTITUTE By April Luedecke
My first NADOA Institute was St. Louis Missouri. I had no idea what to expect. I didn’t know if anyone I knew would be there so I brought my spouse. We took an extra day or two before and made a trip of it. We hit historic Route 66 and stopped at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard for a divine cherry-chocolate calorie bomb called the Cardinal Sin. We toured the famous Budweiser factory and saw the famous arch. The first person I met Wednesday night was Betty Davidson, from Houston. She is kind and funny and made me feel right at home. Judy Moreland from Midland is another great lady I met. She took my husband and me to dinner with her crew from Concho. We literally laughed until we cried at her retelling how she and Marylyn Gibbs managed to exit an elevator that smelled like a urinal. I still remember that night with Dawn Podrazik, Judy Creech and others - all people I am still proud to know. Not everything was roses. Wednesday night’s event included a buffet of sorts with stir fry that was cooked – I kid you not – over Sterno cans. I don’t have the proper vocabulary to describe the length and lack of movement of the line that night. The hotel was located inside of a dying shopping mall and it took me over 15 minutes to find the front desk. The rooms were fantastic, but it was a very long walk to get to the conference center. We’re not going to discuss how many ladies’ rooms there weren’t. And for the 20-somethings – you really haven’t lived until you’ve lugged home an enormous Institute binder full of presentations. All growing pains, all things that have served to make each Institute better and better. Thank you to all who have worked hard over the years and made countless improvements. So here I am trying to do my part. I’ll do my best to answer some questions you may have about attending Institute this year in Bastrop, Texas. Here goes!
GOING. SHOULD I BRING A FRIEND OR SPOUSE? Not if you’re worried about being bored or lonely! During my times at Institute, I have met so many friendly people. Make the most of the experience with new friends and acquaintances. The schedule is packed and you have some downtime, but not much. Unless you’re spending a few days before or after Institute, you will be too busy for much quality time. If you bring a guest, make sure they are the self-sufficient type that can happily do without you for a full two days and evenings. Yes, I’m speaking from experience here. I’M FLYING TO AUSTIN. DO I NEED A RENTAL CAR? If you have other transportation to and from the hotel, probably not. You may need one if you plan to do a trip into Austin. Uber is currently available in Bastrop. See Transportation article for options. WHAT SHOULD I PACK? • Business casual is appropriate for daytime. Bring a sweater or light jacket to class because we have one setting for Texas air conditioning – sub-zero. • Evening events are snappy-casual. (Okay, I made up that term.) It’s not mall-casual and certainly not Wal-Mart casual. I think you get the idea. • Boots and hats are the unofficial dress code in Texas. Bring ‘em if you got ‘em, but take yer hat off at the dinner table, cowboy! • The evening events this year are planned for outside. If you’re a fair-skinned mosquito magnet like I am, bring a little sunscreen and bug repellant just in case. • A tote bag can be helpful to stash a pen and note pad, business cards, your room key, lip balm, a phone charger cord, a little cash and any vendor freebies. IS THE FOOD GOOD? Typically, the food at Institute is outstanding. This year will not disappoint. The quality is amazing and there is so much of it you just might be miserable. Morning is always a good, full breakfast. Lunch is
I’M THE ONLY ONE FROM MY COMPANY
28
N a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n o f D i v i s i o n O r d e r A n a l y s t s
Made with FlippingBook Online document