July 12 -15, 2011 Social Media for Government Conference by Advanced Learning Institute, Washington, D.C.

August 8 – 11, 2011 NCSL Legislative Summit Booth 217, San Antonio, Texas

November 19-22, 2011 2011 SGAC Foundation Leaders’ Policy Conference , Miami, Florida

I am a proponent of professional development. Sitting in front of a computer all day long can help in the knowledge department, but getting out and meeting folks is the best way to show initiative and sharpen your skills.

One of the best is the Annual Meeting from the State Government Affairs Council. This year, the program will be held March 30^th to April 1^st (no foolin’) in Austin, Texas. Sessions include:

• Secret Language of Success: The Importance of Nonverbal Communication;
• Effective Advocacy Tools;
• Challenging the Myth of Work-Life Balance: How to have the Time of your Life and Get Work Done Too;
• Social Media in Action;
• Associations and Members: Working as Partners;
• Achieving Success with Coalition Advocacy;
• Navigating the New Legislature with Texas Senator Leticia Van de Putte; and
• Election Law and Government Ethics with former FEC Commissioner Michael Toner.

You can obtain information about the program, SGAC, and its new lobbying certificate program at www.sgac.org.

We have an exciting calendar this fall. Maybe we will see you there?

• September 27-29, 2010   PAC State and Local Government Relations Seminar, Alexandria, Virginia

• October 5-6, 2010   Practising Law Institute Corporate Political Affairs Seminar, Washington, D.C.

• November 11-14, 2010   Capitolbeat Conference, Phoenix, Arizona

• November 20-23, 2010   SGAC Leaders’ Policy Conference, Scottsdale, Arizona

• December 5-8, 2010   2010 COGEL Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.