Committee Spotlight: The Conference and Exposition Committee
By Jim Acosta
Originally published in the July/August 2017 issue of APCO’s PSC magazine.
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Have you ever wondered who has the important task of recommending the events that take place during each national conference? The idea for a committee began in 2010 when a task force made up of regional representatives and APCO staff set out to revise the annual conference manual, evaluate the most effective method of rotating host cities, and address the changing role of the annual conference host committee. Within two years, the association established the Conference and Exposition Advisory Committee (CEAC). Over the next four years the CEAC, acting in an advisory role, began serving as a liaison between the membership and APCO staff. This partnership implemented many changes evident to those of you who walk the exhibit floor and take part in events surrounding the annual meeting. In April 2016, the Board of Directors officially renamed the committee to the Conference and Exposition Committee (CEC) to reflect its evolving focus. This CEC is unique as five of its members are elected by representatives of the whole membership for a two-year term. Each of the four Regional Executive Councils, as well as the Commercial Advisory Council (CAC), elects a representative. The CAC offers a commercial perspective to the CEC with the goal of making the conferences more attractive to both vendors and attendees alike. In addition to the elected members, the association president appoints a member-at-large. The Chair of the Professional Events Development Committee (PDEC), a representative from the Board of Directors, and two APCO staff members round out the Committee. Those who are elected or appointed to the CEC must be willing to adapt to change and be forward-thinking as the annual conference is the leading opportunity for all segments of the communications industry to showcase, sell and adopt new communications solutions.
The five elected members and member-at-large of the CEC are:
North Central Region: Kim Ostin, Sterling Heights (MI) Police Department (retired)
Western Region: Stephanie Fritts, Pacific County (WA) Sheriff’s Office (retired)
Gulf Coast Region: Ricky Rowell, Nassau County (FL) Sheriff’s Department
East Coast Region: Nicola Tidey, Orange County (VA) Emergency Communications Center
CAC Representative: Brian Hughes, Eastern Communications (NY)
Western Region: Jim Acosta, Downey (CA) Fire Department (retired) – Committee Chair
Member at Large: Stephanie Fritts
The committee chair works with APCO staff and the conference host committees, including selection of the host committee chair and numerous face-to-face meetings with current and future host committees. This helps maintain continuity from one host committee to the next and promotes consistency between conferences. The chair also delivers the conference after-action report to the Board of Directors, offering real time feedback from both attendees and vendors. The CEC stays busy all year round addressing time-sensitive tasks such as the after-action report (which is filed immediately following the annual conference) and offering suggestions for the upcoming conference. The CEC also submits for approval to the Board of Directors the person/s to chair the host committee of the upcoming conference as well as preparing an orientation PowerPoint presentation for the incoming host committee. The committee meets for one hour (by teleconference) monthly to discuss relevant items which often include updating the Conference Manual.
CEC members share their knowledge, experience and viewpoints, which serve to underscore the breadth and diversity of this vital committee. The group’s five elected members are the heart of the committee and the representative voice of the APCO community. Each of them brings a unique perspective that help make our annual conference such a success.
From CEC’s earliest roots, it was the group’s mission to work with APCO staff to help develop the overall strategy for APCO’s annual conference and exposition, including making recommendations and being an information conduit between the members and the Executive Committee of APCO International. One recent recommendation was the Career Advancement Center, which is expanding in 2017 to allow even more opportunities for attendees to gain valuable career guidance. The Career Advancement Center was even strategically placed to drive more traffic to the Exhibit Hall!
APCO’s vision is to strengthen our communities by empowering and educating public safety professionals through the presentation of the premier international public safety conference and exposition. The CEC is a proud partner in that effort and strives to make each conference and exposition better than all previous ones.
Jim Acosta is retired from his position as Communications Supervisor for the Downey, CA, Fire Department. Jim is a member of the APCO Executive Council, an APCO Life member and has served as a chapter officer. He is a charter member of the CEC, serving as chair since 2014 as well as a member of the original task force.