Mary, I have had the pleasure of working with you on Innovations for several years now—I feel like I am talking to an old friend.

Yes, we have worked really closely for at least 3 years, starting with the Program Committee when you were the Chair and I was the Vice Chair. Wow, if that job doesn’t test a working relationship, nothing does! Like you, I feel like we are old friends, and it seems like we have known each other for more than three years. In all of our roles, we have worked so well together, building on each other’s strengths, and being each other’s “wing-woman” when we needed to.

My term as Chair ends at the February meeting, and I have such mixed feelings about this being the “official” end of my term. My volunteer experience has been so rewarding and enriching both personally and professionally.

I feel terrible about this being the end of your term. I can’t imagine working on ATP without you! But organizations become stronger when they recruit new talent. And we have definitely become all the wiser and better from our involvement. It’s a win-win.

Highlights go to our leadership on the Program Committee, working closely together, preparing our presentations and training webinars, and producing great materials that are still being used today. We made some great contributions in a constructive way, a good example of “two heads being better than one!”

I agree. We left a good footprint. So, what do you have in mind for next year?

First, continue the good work we have been doing as evidenced by the increases we have seen in conference attendance and sponsorship, so clearly we are doing something right. I’d like to focus on generating breakout sessions and workshops that will increase networking opportunities, for example, “ignite” sessions in which participants speak for 3 – 4 minutes to promote an innovative idea with the purpose of getting a conversation started on a topic, and letting the group run with the idea. Another idea is a “deep dive” session, which is facilitated for participants to plunge into the depths of a topic. I’ve heard good feedback about E-ATP debate-style sessions on “hot-topics,” as well. I’d like to pilot these types of sessions at future conferences.

Tell me something I don’t know about you?

Well, unlike some of the other featured volunteers, I don’t surf!

I kind of knew that, and by the way, neither do I. AND I most certainly am not a marathon runner!

But, I LOVE to cook and read cook books. Planning meals from designing menus, selecting food from specialty shops, sharing fun prep with guests, and sitting down to a meal is something I really enjoy.

Now I can do food! Food is my passion and I also enjoy hosting dinner parties. I tell people that if I didn’t do certification for a living, I would have a restaurant or cooking show.

I did have a restaurant when I owned an inn in Vermont. I designed my own menus, and did some of the cooking!

So I guess that makes Innovations our “show” then, and I am looking forward to welcoming our participants and sponsors to Palm Springs with you next month. Thanks for all of your work on this conference, and for being my wing-woman.

Been a pleasure flying with you.