here before you know it, then afternoon snacks. Pace. Your. Self. Again, coming from personal experience. SHOULD I STAY LONGER? Yes. A thousand times, yes! Have yourself a mini- vacay, even if it’s just one extra night on Friday. Not only do you save on airfare and a discounted room rate, you help NADOA meet their hotel contract terms by booking extra nights. A classic win – win! CHECK IN ASAP at the Institute registration desk. You will need your badge for all functions and you get your badge at registration. So plan your travel accordingly and get there while registration is open on Wednesday! Don’t lose it and keep it clean. We often turn them in for reuse. SOME PRO TIPS! BRING BUSINESS CARDS. You will want a few in case the vendors are drawing for a prize. They are also helpful as you meet people. Use the backside to jot down a cell number. MAKE A PERSONAL CONNECTION with someone from that one company that takes forever to return your emails and phone calls. Take a selfie together so you have a photo to upload to your Outlook contacts. Snap a pic of their business card right after so you remember who it is. You’re welcome. I PACK MY OWN DRINKS AND LIGHT SNACKS to keep in my room. I’m thrifty, no doubt about it. Take note that in Texas, liquor is not for sale at grocery stores, only beer and wine. Spec’s, on highway 71 in Bastrop, will have beer, wine and liquor, plus snacks, soda and mixers. PICK UP A SOUVENIR. I know it’s cheesy but you might be glad looking back on it. Lots of people choose a magnet to stick on their file cabinet. It is a subtle reminder, “I was here, I remember.” I have a bangle bracelet from San Diego, a mini LOVE statue from Philly, a Budweiser tee from St. Louis and a few other things from the rest.
DON’T SNAG EXTRA SODAS OR SNACKS. Sodas supplied by hotel catering cost NADOA a pretty penny. (Think of a hotel vending machine price. Now double it. Add tax and tip, now you’re in the neighborhood.) So unless NADOA specifically offers extras, please don’t take them. EMBRACE LOCAL FLAVOR. It’s more than chips and salsa. Get a taste of Texas with its very own Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka over ice with lemonade. Crown Royal fans are fast friends with Rebecca Creek fine whiskey. More of the best includes TX Blended Whiskey, Dulce Vida Tequila and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. GET TO BED AT A REASONABLE HOUR and in good condition. I want you to have a good time, but! You can waste an opportunity if you are hungover or bleary-eyed. Use your judgment here. BE GRACIOUS. People may not always remember what you say, but they always remember how you made them feel. Have patience with the Seminar directors. A lot of hard work is done by relatively few people who are paid absolutely nothing for the trouble. (Something I had no understanding of the first time I attended.) Things will not be perfect. You may experience a problem. Give fair and honest feedback but please do your best to be extra kind and forgiving to others. Above all, volunteer next year with NADOA or your local chapter! I hope this has been helpful for you. If you have a question not addressed here please email me at april.luedecke@anadarko.com and I will be happy to assist!
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G r o w t h T h r o u g h E d u c a t i o n - S p e c i a l I n s t i t u t e E d i t i o n 2 0 1 7
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