SMRP .... Louisville revisited...

The SMRP Annual Conference is always one of the signature events of the year. Having been apart of   the planning process of this event for the last 8 years makes it even more special. The 2019 conference was held in Louisville, KY - same location as my second SMRP conference I was involved in back in 2007. Yikes - time is flying! 

I anticipate this event all year long - and while it can feel so far away during the planning stages - before you know it - you're on a plane headed to the event! (Side note - being on the board means you get a suite and a fun "amenity" when you arrive - always makes you feel extra fancy this week!)

We went big during this event - a booth double the normal size and extra team members on hand. It was great - and our energy was flying high. Nothing in my professional life compares to that feeling we get as the exhibit floor is about to be open and we know we have the products, service, and support to help everyone who is walking through the hall. It's exhilarating! 

This was a special conference because my teammate (and brother from another mother) Chase, was being awarded the SMRP Volunteer of the Year award - eek - we were all so happy for him! 

We also had a fun networking event at Churchill Downs - so cool! We were racing horses, pretending we were at the Derby, and learning all about the history of the race. 

For all the work that takes place we also have so much fun - Louisville got two thumbs up for having a Howl at the Moon - a favorite spot for all of us. Dancing, singing, hanging out - I say it every year - we work hard but play harder (and sometimes pay for it the next morning - lol) 

SMRP will always be highlight week for me each and every year.

Chicago...for a day...

 I had an opportunity last fall to attend the Influential Women in Manufacturing awards luncheon in none other than Chicago, IL. Being a lunch event I was able to book a flight that got me there in time and got me home the same day. It was kind of the whirlwind trip I've always secretly fancied - and was happy to have a chance to experience. 

This awards luncheon was somethin I really wanted to attend. I know some of these women - especially those who were putting it on - and in my role in my job and on the board of directors for which I serve - I felt I owed it to these amazing women to show up, support them and most importantly, cheer them on. 

I had some time between when I landed and when the lunch started so I hopped an Uber from O'Hare down to Millennium Park so I could finally check out The Bean. I've been to Chicago a few times but that never made the to-do list. It was really cool and honestly - it's just a fantastic city I could spend all day walking around. I meandered about, grabbed some coffee, snapped some pics, and before long it was time to head to the event. 

The luncheon was held at MxD - a super innovative facility where companies can lease space, teams, technology, etc. to help improve manufacturing innovation at their facilities. Having toured plants and facilities for the last 14 years of my career - I can attest that having a space like this to innovate - and test/prove that innovation - is HUGE. It was really cool to see. 

Of course the best part of the day was hearing about these amazing women whom had won these awards. They are truly exceptional - pushing boundaries (that probably shouldn't be there) and rising above to provide their organizations with the leadership, creativity, and innovation their organizations need to stay competitive & reliable. Was so proud to be there to applaud them in person. 

It's never lost on me how lucky I am to have a job that is supportive not only of my customers and colleagues, but of my ambition, interests, and goals. A whirlwind of a trip - but one I'll remember for a lifetime. 

Camping in the Shenandoah Valley...

 We always look forward to getting a weekend at Shenandoah State Park in the fall. We try and time it so the trees are starting to turn and so that we get to the nearby apple orchards before all the good ones are taken. It really is a gorgeous campground - and highly sought after so getting a site requires planning ahead. This also means you don't necessarily get to wait for a fall weather weekend to pop up and jump on it. That said - we had a lot of shorts and tees on this weekend - and some sweaty apple picking. All that to say - it was still a great weekend in the Shenandoah Valley.

Our site backed up to this open field which made for some spectacular sunset views. It was amazing - and it helped us heal our VT v. Duke Friday night (why was college playing on a Friday!?) loss blues. 

The apple picking - while hot - was fruitful - we came away with lots of great apples, some for applesauce, some for eating, one for a tart. We also got our first apple cider slushie experience - and OMG - where has that been all our lives? So good. Wish we'd gotten one for everyone - the bickering and fighting over the one slushie may have been worse than that loss to Duke...ok - it wasn't - that was brutal.

The rest of the weekend was all about hiking, biking, leaf peaking, fire making, reading, relaxing - and of course - eating some of those apples! 

Virginia is for (fall & apple) lovers!