Making a Difference

 

I am really looking forward to this year's PMI Global Conference in Chicago. This will be my first PMI Conference that I have attended outside of my regional chapter's professional development symposiums.

This year's conference theme "Making a Difference" asks us as professionals: Are you a Difference Maker? Who do you want to be?

I ask myself "Am I a Difference Maker"? -- "Miracle Worker"? -- "Bar Raiser"? -- "Game Changer" or even a "Deadline Crusher"? I probably could best describe myself as both a "Chaos Tamer" as well as a "Collaboration Wizard". Throughout my career, I endeavored to build working environments and team cultures that promote collaboration, innovation and fun.

I am also looking forward to the keynote speakers (Tim Berners-Lee, Nicholas Epley and Mercedes Ramirez-Johnson) at the Global Conference. They each have interesting background and experiences. 

Where you will likely find me at the conference...

Saturday, October 28th

• Coffee and First-Time Attendee Conference Orientation
• Opening Keynote with Sir Tim Berners-Lee
• I hope you can join my session from 3:30 to 4:30pm (New Timeslot) for my presentation "Design Thinking & Project Management". This session is for individuals who want to learn more about design (e.g. managing innovation) and who want to start incorporating design into their projects and programs. 
• How to Make Better Choices for You, Your Team, and Your Projects by Andy Kaufman or Transformation Leadership by Steve Mayner.
• And to close out the day with the Annual Membership Meeting and then dinner and networking.
• I plan on reviewing the PMI Global Standards Poster Sessions sometime on Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday, October 29th

• Morning Coffee and then Keynote with Nicholas Epley
• Organizing for Projects by Monique Aubry or Facilitating Effective Brainstorming Sessions by Brian Richardson & Katrine Maguire
• Leadership Lessons We May Have Learned... by Ron Kurtz & Melissa Panagides-Busch
• Adaptive Project Management by Andy Silber or Leading During a Disaster by Niraj Kumar
• And of course I plan to attend Karen Chovan's The Necessary Culture for Soaring Performance.
• Dinner and networking

Monday, October 30th

• Morning Coffee and then AI and Project Management by Prasanna Adavi 
• Creating an Enterprise Culture of Project Management by Beth Allen & Abby Frelich
• The Language of Leadership by Dennis Cummins
• Closing keynote with Mercedes Ramirez-Johnson

See you in Chicago!