To view the results of the Halifax2011 delegate survey click here
Nova Scotia... Blending old-world charm with new-world excitement!
Well, here we are. The conference came and went in four days but the journey started two and a half years ago, and at that time it seemed the day would never arrive. As other conference Chairs can attest, planning and delivering our National event becomes a part of you. The last week or two of May was a whirlwind best described in three words: anxiety, excitement, and pride.
Anxiety as the last few days speed away trying to ensure the final details and issues are addressed as best possible. Excitement as Sunday rolls by, delegates arrive, and the first event flows well. Pride when in the blink of an eye it’s Wednesday afternoon and you know the team’s hard work has delivered a successful and memorable conference.
We greeted 189 delegates, 35 exhibitors at a 19 booth trade show, IMSA Atlantic members, and several guests. All of the technical sessions rolled out smoothly, and Halifax’s rained-out month of May gave mercy to a few days of sunshine, just in time for a memorable east/west hockey game (yeah, I know…we lost). Our student mixer at Keith’s Brewery was bulging at the seams as an impressive 81 attendees took in student presentations and a down east “sociable” or two. The best weather evening of 2011 shone Tuesday night for the harbour cruise and banquet. If the market-size lobsters didn’t excite you, entertainer Jimmy Flynn’s gut-wrenching act, standing ovation, and encore brought you to your feet! The final special event was the first all-Canadian CITE Traffic Bowl where we saw the University of Toronto win this year’s competition.
To close, I truly cannot thank everyone enough for making this conference what it was. Regardless of how big or small the role, we did it together! New connections were made, existing ones strengthened, and special friendships were born.
I plan to see you again in Winnipeg for the 2012 conference as they’re well under way to delivering another excellent event. But rather than say farewell, we’ll leave off with… “I’ll see you again soon.”
All my best,
Dwayne Cross, P. Eng.
Chair, Local Arrangements Committee
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