From Where I Sit…
by Bob Garrett
“Leaders lead with an open hand, not a clenched fist”
-Susana Briscoe-Alba
“…personalized, highly informative, well-organized, great networking opportunities, material that will highly impact my professional development. I wish it wouldn’t have ended.”
Pretty high praise. Thank you.
Our sun-speckled day together at the Whispering Oaks Winery started with the annual presentation of your Chamber’s Athena® award. Many past recipients were in the audience. When Elba Arenas, this year's recipient, took the microphone she held the entire crowd spellbound with her life story. It was crystal clear from her first utterance that Elba is the perfect person carry on the traditions that distinguish all Athena® awardees.
Next, our dynamic keynoter, Susanna Briscoe-Alba, took the stage and held everyone raptly mesmerized. In addition to the above quote, she left each Symposium participant with the assurance that “you've never arrived. You're always in the process of becoming the best you that you can be.” Very motivational stuff, to be sure.
Then it was time for a networking activity which made the room alive as a buzzing beehive. Women of all ages and backgrounds getting to know each other better and making the contacts that are so vital to business success. After all of that it was time to eat. Scrumptious preparations from Aunt Jenny's Kitchen of Tried and True Catering richly satisfied each palate.
The afternoon never sagged thanks to presentations from Tara Dively and Kat Stuerzl. Tara spent considerable time talking about making self-care a habit and the importance of taking deep breaths. Kat rounded out the day with a reminder about importance of words and choosing and using your words carefully and wisely.
As the sendoff, I was invited to the podium to talk a little bit about the Chamber and give an update on our staff. Given that we were at a winery, everyone was cordially invited to stay around as long as they might like. The hospitality of Whispering Oaks Vineyard was without end.
It was a fantastic day. Our Women’s Leadership Committee members want to remind you that we will all be together again next year. In the meantime, they’re planning to expand their offerings to include meetups, seminars, book clubs, and more.
Stayed tuned, because by working together our best days lie just ahead.
