Kathie Lingle's Work-Life Blog

The First “Blended” Conference

May 29, 2008 — It will be weeks before survey results are in, so in the hiatus before science raises its authoritative voice, here are my own, subjective observations about this first “blended” Total Rewards conference. “Blended” refers to replacing the prior stand-alone AWLP work-life conference by incorporating some of its most compelling elements into the much larger Total Rewards event. Looking back a year, we set several goals that would define success, based on input we solicited from several dozen former AWLP members and its conference loyalists.   These included:

• Creating a new, relevant, stimulating conference experience that builds new traditions, while preserving threshold elements of the intimacy and connectedness upon which the work-life community thrives

• Offering a forum for the work-life community to exchange knowledge with their total rewards colleagues in ways designed to promote an integrated, more powerful overall contribution to the attraction, retention and engagement of talent for all WorldatWork stakeholders

Our primary concern was to facilitate a “soft entry” into a new conference format, opportunities, learnings, colleagues, content and traditions.

So how do we measure success? Let’s start with numbers. My colleague, Bruce Kabin, in the DC WorldatWork office has kindly shared with me a list of attendees sorted by functional area, which suggests that some 260 people could loosely be interpreted as work-life stakeholders. That seems to square reasonably well with the fact that approximately 200 people attended the Work-Life Forum on Tuesday, even though that event was closed at a registration level of 150. We simply had to add more table and chairs.

The Work-Life Reception on Tuesday night was equally well attended, and it was a stunning sight. In celebration of the 2008 Work-Life Rising Stars, a red carpet led the way into the ballroom. Floor to ceiling marquees with photos of each Star were arranged throughout the room, along with one featuring our amazing team of 2007 Stars, who did a superb job of selecting just the right combination of new colleagues who can help them continue to create the next generation of work-life leadership. Our Stars have gone global, with David Lock from Singapore joining the group.

A random sprinkling of comments shared with me (liberally rephrased, since I wasn’t taking notes):
“I met you and AWLP at the New Orleans Conference several years ago, and I have to tell you, I am delighted at the progress you have made. Here work-life is, smack in the middle of Total Rewards strategy. Congratulations!”
“The consistent way in which work-life excellence is celebrated is great to see: excellence in research; excellence in practice. AWLP is a role model.”
And a countless number of “Great conference!” and “You must be very happy/proud.”

So, how well did we do from your perspective? What was your experience at conference? Or, alternatively, share the primary reason you chose not to attend this inaugural year. 

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of WorldatWork and its affiliate, Alliance for Work-Life Progress (AWLP).