My Wish List: ILTA ‘09
I love to go to conferences. I like to meet new people, exchange ideas, and decorate my office with all sorts of conference swag. That’s why I’m on a mission to go to ILTA’09. For ILTA’09, I’d even do without the corporate swag.
In case you’re not familiar with the International Legal Technology Association (“ILTA”), I’d recommend checking out the conference website along with its blog. See why I’m on this mission? Just look at the list of speakers!
Unfortunately, there’s one obstacle between me and my (geeky) version of professional paradise: The $1,025 registration fee.
Don’t get me wrong. If I could afford to write a check, I’d pay it in a heartbeat. $1,025 is a lot of money but I’m confident that the four days of networking and learning opportunities would cover my costs in the long run. In other words, I understand that $1,025 is a small investment to further my career. I simply can’t afford to make that investment right now.
Therefore, I did what any other motivated girl would do. I reached out to my Twitter followers and asked them to help me brainstorm ideas on how I could go to ILTA on my shoestring budget. I’ve received some great ideas and I’d be happy to hear others.
Assuming I can make it to ILTA, I’ve prepared my itinerary for the full four days. If I can’t make it in person, at least I’ll know which tweets to follow. Plus, it helped me decide when I should sign up to volunteer.
Monday, August 24th
10:30 AM
What won me over? Other than the subject matter, I follow David Hobbie and Kevin O’Keefe on Twitter. To me, they’re both “thought leaders” and I know I’ll learn something from each of them.
1:00 pm
What won me over? Like I said above, hearing this panel excites me. Also, I teach a course on blogging for legal professionals. This session is similar to a CLE.
Second choice: Law Firm Extranets: Some Different Approaches
2:30 pm
What won me over? Organization and communication are essential to any successful project.
Second choice: Wikis: A Practical Case Study
4:00 pm
How can I choose? As a former legal recruiter, I’m leaning towards Lateral Lawyers Are Playing Musical Law Firms!
Tuesday, August 25th
10:00 am
What won me over? I hardly know anything about how law firms walk through the pitch and proposal process. Very practical way to find out more.
Close second: Interpersonal Communication
11:00 am
What won me over? Well, this is the focus of this blog.
Close second: Crossing the Generational Divide: The Competitive Advantage of Four Generations
1:30 pm
What won me over? I’ve already told you about my budget.
3:30 pm
What won me over? Something must have persuaded me…
Wednesday, August 26th
What won me over? I’d like to see how other people pitch the idea of strategic innovation during this downturn. This type of thinking motivated this. The responses from law firms – positive or negative – have been few and far between, to say the least.
11:00 am
What won me over? I missed Richard Susskind at the ABA Techshow and I felt really left out. Resources like this and this made it less painful, however.
1:30 pm
What won me over? Let’s just say that we have a few tricks up our sleeve at RecruiterEsq….
3:30 pm
Still undecided. Again, I think Executive Image Coaching may win due to the career focus.
Thursday, August 27th
9:00 am
What won me over? I’m a fan of the Keirsey Temperment Sorter. I’m a Champion of Ideas.
10:30 am
What won me over? Critical thinking of thinking? Sign me up.
2:00 pm
What won me over? This is like sales training for me.
3:30 pm
What won me over? Same as above: sales training.
I’ll keep you posted about the success of my mission.
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What a terrific post. I can certainly relate.
Returned from a great conference a few weeks ago and the camaraderie, meeting new people, contributing to discussions, networking, and so much more are almost priceless. Almost. It set me back a ton and as a relatively new entrepreneur, it was a significant sacrifice.
In a largely positive review of the conference, I addressed a few issues including the following:
-Are four days necessary? Seems a bit long. Shifting to three days would lower the cost allowing for wider participation
-Move meetings to a less deluxe conference center with higher end accommodation options nearby
But, I love what you’re attempting to do and appreciate the challenge. I’ll do a bit of research and get back to you. If nothing or very few options show up, perhaps we can look into starting a conference scholarship program for solo entrepreneurs.
I’m only half-kidding
@uMCLE