AWC Conference Sponsor:

"Legends in the Making," AWC's 2005 Professional Conference theme, lived up to its billing in Lubbock, Texas, Oct. 20-22. From the opening reception at the Buddy Holly Center to the closing ceremonies during the Clarion Awards/Matrix Dinner, attendees spoke enthusiastically about speakers, the condensed schedule and the contacts they made.

Over two chock-full days bracketed by the opening and closing ceremonies, AWC members and others attended 15 breakout sessions, general sessions and AWC-focused events. They heard keynote speaker Renee Underwood, vice president of marketing for United Supermarkets, discuss imbedding ethical behaviors into corporate culture.

Award-winners inspired their audiences with their humanity and their expertise. They listened to Laura Moore, chief communications officer of RadioShack, long-time AWC member and headliner for 2005, talk about expecting and achieving excellence from yourself and others around you. They pondered the words of Gloria Brown Anderson, vice president, International and Editorial Development, The New York Times News Services Division and International Matrix winner for 2005, as she spoke about her experience here and abroad, growing up and in her professional life, with immigrant populations and the global community with which she works today.

The Matrix Foundation honored its Edith Wortman First Amendment Award winner, Dr. Susanna Weiss, at its session. Dr. Weiss, currently a social scientist with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, provided an overview of the history of allowing cameras in the courtroom, using as case studies some of the century's most famous trials--from Scopes Monkey trial to OJ.

Of special note was the Lubbock chapter's Night Out event, held at the American Museum of Agriculture, amid an enormous collection of tractors and plows, and a vast assortment of smaller, hand-held equipment artfully displayed in and out of the building. Attendees were treated to cowboy music, chuckwagon fare and a hayride up the hill. Windmills of every shape and size graced the hillside and provided the foreground against which attendeees watched a vivid Texas sunset.



Recap:
Conference Breakout Sessions
Sponsor Appreciation
Host Chapter
Chapter Awards
Photo Gallery