Kathie Lingle's Work-Life Blog

Work-Life Really Is at the Center of Total Rewards

Oct. 8, 2007 - I’ve just returned to WorldatWork headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz., from the Working Mother “100 Best” Conference in New York City to learn some very exciting news. Following the close last week of the Call for Presentations (CFP) for the WorldatWork Total Rewards Conference & Exhibition 2008 (Philadelphia, May 2008), I’ve just been informed that a large number of work-life proposals for workshop presentations have been received. 

The first significant fact you should know is that this volume approximates the number we used to receive for the stand-alone AWLP conference. This enthusiastic response is a healthy sign that bodes well for the quality of the work-life component within this first-ever combined Total Rewards Conference.

The second truth is that I didn’t submit them all. Honest! Many of you did. So, many thanks to all of you who have been in energetic communication with WorldatWork Work-Life Project Liaison Jessica Burrus and myself over the past 10 days to make sure your ideas for workshops turned into formal CFP submissions, no matter what. A big hand for Jessica, who made sure you were successful in navigating the online CFP system.

Kudos to you for making it clear that work-life issues, tools and solutions really are at the center of the new, integrated model of engagement.

This leads me to my last point, which is the inevitable flip side of all of this good news. The fact is, only a finite number of work-life (or any other kind of) workshops can be shoe-horned into what is shaping up to be a content-rich and action-packed overall agenda that covers all aspects of total rewards. So I just want to put it out there right now that no matter how hard we try, some really, really good proposals won’t secure a spot this year. Please don’t take a turn-down personally, and rest assured we will do our best to work as much great material into other (non-conference) venues throughout 2008. Remember that WorldatWork is always looking for compelling articles for workspan (monthly) and the Journal (quarterly). There is always the opportunity for a few new Webinars. And the AWLP Strategy Board is working with WorldatWork staff to create some new, innovative ways of bringing work-life content experts together with eager audiences to share information, data and conversation.  What other opportunities should we be exploring?  

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).