Eager to attend the AWC National Conference

The countdown is on and I’m excited – are you?

How often have you attended an event that inspired you, expanded your knowledge, and produced new friendships and relationships that could change your career? There is one I always look forward to and make plans to attend: the Association for Women in Communications (AWC) National Professional Development Conference.

I attended my first several years ago and marveled at the quality presenters, accomplished professionals and the wisdom they shared during sessions as well as casual conversations. I came away eager to put what I learned into action.

I enjoyed the conference so much; I knew I needed to get my daughter involved. At the time, she was a college student at Illinois State University, studying Communications. I asked her to share with you her perspective as a young professional attending the conference:

“My mom very lovingly pushed me to attend the 2013 National Conference with her because it was in our local chapter’s city, Springfield, Illinois, and very close to Illinois State where I was studying Communication Studies and Business Administration. Although I wasn’t too keen on attending, after the first day, I remember feeling like I was looking at the future I wanted. I was so impressed and inspired by the caliber of women I met and learned from there, I joined the professional chapter in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois where my school is located.

A year later from the conference, I reinstated the AWC Illinois State University student chapter on campus and sat on the board as president. At the next conference in Springfield, Missouri in 2015, I was able to bring some students of my executive board with me. By December that year, I was nominated and elected to the National Board as a senior in college – and the youngest-ever AWC Director. Now, as an independent member living and working in Chicago, I still sit on the board, and I am also very excited to attend the 2019 Conference.

Like any organization, what work you put into it will determine the value you will get out of it. Take my word for it: the AWC National Conferences are transformational and inspiring – and they just might lead you to your next adventure.” – Allison Buehner

Coming up September 29 – October 1 is the next AWC National Conference, being held in the heart of the country just outside St. Louis in St. Charles, Missouri. I hope everyone reading this takes advantage of it.

Having now attended several national conferences, I have never been disappointed and like fellow attendees, have received a consistently excellent professional development experience. I have paid much more to attend events that didn’t deliver nearly as much. Just take a look at the agenda and affordable price. On tap, three days of exceptional speakers on topics ranging from “Building Your Personal Brand” to “Developing a Champion Mindset.”

A highlight is the Clarion Awards program. This prestigious award program is one of the oldest, best known international communication award competitions. The Clarion reception and banquet provide a great opportunity to meet honorees and hear about award-winning work that might inspire your next project – or compel you to enter the next one!

And as a twelve-time Clarion winner myself, I absolutely recommend attending and receiving the recognition you deserve. And finally, there are elements of a reunion, knowing I will see many of the amazing women who’ve also been there over the years, leaders of this great organization who openly share and mentor colleagues. I hope this year, you will be there, too – I’d love to meet you!

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About the Author

Molly Hall is Executive Director of the Energy Education Council (EEC), a national nonprofit whose members include hundreds of utilities and others dedicated to creating a safer, smarter world. Prior to EEC, Molly spent 14 years as a broadcast news journalist, then was spokesperson for a large electric and natural gas utility.

A long-time member of AWC, Molly has held several leadership positions in the Springfield, Illinois Professional Chapter, and is currently the chapter President.