Spirits Lifting!
Tuesday morning got off to great start with Jim McCaslin, president of Harley-Davidson Company, entering the ballroom on his Harley!
Participants were greeted as they had been on Monday and Sunday, with a column of clapping, cheering, Staff Members and Board Members. The jazz band from German Town High School played lively tunes and another day begain with great hope.
I am struck by the number of people who really appreciated the opportunity to participate in "Theme Weaving", telling their stories to Paul and I as we made our way through the day. While many participants commented on their desire to learn something new in the sessions, far more talked about the ways that participating in the conferences renourishes their spirits. They talked of the value of the connection with one another.
I met a young woman, Jennifer Perez, an engineering high school student who received a grant from ASQ and is evaluating the possibility of using a laser scanner that is from the fashion industry to assess children with scoliosis or chestwall deformities. Amazing! Paul and I had her tell her story in the Wednesday morning gathering before the keynote.
Throughout the day, I met members of teams preparing for the International Team Excellence Awards. One team from Singapore joined me on the elevator, having just presented to the judges.I asked them what the key element was to their success. "Our Bond"! .....and off they went to Mayfair Mall for an adventure in shopping!
The day's sessions closed with an inspiring yet heartwrenching presentation by Bernard Amadei, professor of civil engineering at the University of Colorado. Amadei started a program: Engineering for Developing Countries and is the founding president of Engineers without Borders. His passion is to educate global responsibility to create solutions for the problems faced by developing communities. It was the faces of the children on his slides that will stay with me!
Everything attention to detail was demonstrated at the Conference by fhe ASQ Staff and Leaders! It was ever so clear at the Banquet celebration that night that ASQ knows how to party!
The University of Wisconsin Marching Band greeted participants and team members for the International Team Awards ceremony. What energy as the teams entered the ballroom! I felt like I was back at the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996!
I had the distinct privilege of introducing John Jones, soon to be President of the Green Bay Packers! John, affectionately called JJ by family and friends, engaged the services of our team six years ago to assist the organization with their on-going strategic plan. For more information, link to: www.vernalmgmt.com.
There could not have been a more energetic, inspiring introduction to the awards ceremony! JJ reflected the way that quality is lived in every aspect of the organization.
The suspense was mounting as the teams awaited the announcement for the bronze, silver and gold awards. As was true at the Olympics, all of the teams cheered for each other, recognizing that they are all winners with our withoout a trophy!
What an honor it was for me to serve with Paul as a "Theme Weaver"! It was my first experience in the role and I loved it!
Wishing you all good days, safe travels and great work until we meet again in Orlando!
Comments
Excellent article. I haven't been able to go to an event in some time but your article brought it all back to me - the excitement, the energy, and yes, the sense of being renourished. These events are truly a demonstration in quality excellence and customer service excellence - walking the talk.
Posted by: Deborah Ruud | May 10, 2006 09:12 AM
Deborah,
I appreciate your comments and with over a week past the Conference, I continue to delight in the memory of the experience as a "Theme Weaver".
I hope that all participants returned home with renewed energy and hope, with a commitment to make a difference in our world!
Posted by: Karen A. Vernal | May 14, 2006 10:53 AM