Orlando, Florida – November 16 – 19, 2016

Submitted by: Devin Hill, Rec Sports Graduate Assistant

The purpose of this event was for graduate assistants from Rec Sports to gain more professional development through seminars and networking with others from the conference. During the pre-conference events, participants had an opportunity to listen to Paul Wesselman, a motivational speaker who refers to himself as “The Ripples Guy.” He spoke about “The Art and Science of Time Management.” During his presentation, he explained that time management is something that is inherently learned, which may be the reason why it is easier for some and more difficult for others. Participants were encouraged to sign up for his weekly “Ripples” emails to continue being inspired by his motivational tips on leadership development and skill training. Other speakers and their topics included: Ryan Hegreness, “Marketing Strategy: The Science and Psychology of Effective Campaigns,” and Craig Hamilton, Colleen McKenna and Reed Voorhees, “Design 101: Owner’s Guide to Managing the Design and Construction Process.” The keynote speaker was Don Yaeger, an award-winning speaker, business leadership coach, and longtime associate editor of Sports Illustrated and New York Times. He discussed, “What Makes the Great Teams Great.” According to Yaeger, Great Teams Understand “The Why.” They are connected to a greater purpose. Click here to see a complete list of speakers during the Athletic Business Conference.

Participants were able to network with professionals from respective organizations such as: Intercollegiate Athletics, Campus Recreation, Parks and Recreation, and National Governing Bodies. As graduate assistants, being able to network with professionals in the field can help further professional careers.