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Board Blog

Board Blog

Welcome to the NAGW Board of Directors Blog! The Board of Directors intends to use this space to communicate our thoughts on important topics and issues related to NAGW and our national conference. Stay tuned!

Live from St. Charles, It's... Friday Night!

Ok, I admit it. Most of the conferences I've attended in the past, I've not stuck around for more than two seconds longer than the conference itself. Most conferences haven't been conducive to socializing or networking with my peers during the conference itself, let alone after the conference is over.

So you may be asking yourself why in the world you'd even consider staying an extra day at the 2008 NAGW National Conference. The conference ends at noon on Friday, why not catch an early flight back home and be able to tuck yourself into your own bed for a good night's sleep?

Why should you extend your NAGW Conference experience by one extra day? Why should you spend Friday night in St. Charles? One reason: Kevin Nealon. This famed comedian from Saturday Night Live will be performing at Pheasant Run's on-site comedy club, Zanies, on Friday, September 12th and NAGW has discounted tickets for the show! Not only will you get to see one of the hottest comedians in the business, but you'll get to see him for an unbeatable price in a nice, intimate nightclub setting with your fellow government webmasters! This is an excellent opportunity to let your hair down and unwind after the conference, and enjoy some great entertainment with your peers.

If you were looking for a reason to stay that one extra day during the conference, well, this is it! Heck, since you'll be there Saturday morning, you might as well get in some sightseeing in beautiful St. Charles, or take the train in to Chicago and do some shopping along the Magnificent Mile. Or you could just get in nine or 18 holes of golf on Pheasant Run's excellent golf course! Treat yourself, you're worth it!

Regards,
Ron Pringle
Lakes Region Director

 

A Retreat to Laugh About

The Board of Directors just returned from our annual board retreat. Once a year, we hold a retreat at the location of the upcoming conference. This year, the retreat took place at Pheasant Run Resort and Spa, St. Charles, Illinois, On April 18th and 19th.

One of the objectives of our Board Retreat is to visit the conference location and get a good on-site feel for the place in the hopes of solving any issues that might arise. We also do a lot of decision-making regarding the conference, hold our regular board meeting, and finally, discuss the following year’s conference. It’s a huge amount of work to accomplish in two days’ time!

On Saturday evening, we went to Zanies Comedy Club, the award-winning comedy club located at the resort, to see a performance by Jo Koy. Koy, who has appeared on the Tonight Show and has opened for acts such as Dave Chapelle, Mike Epps and Snoop Doggy Dogg (who knew!), will also be hosting his own comedy show on Comedy Central this fall. I can only speak for myself, but judging by the tears of laughter of my fellow board members, I think I can safely say we really enjoyed his act!

Zanies is an intimate little club right at the Pheasant Run resort, and is the sister club to the world famous Zanies in Chicago. They consistently book major talent, and Koy was no exception.

Pheasant Run also just won an award for Best Comedy Club as part of NiteLife Magazine’s Best of the Burbs.

I mention all of this because NAGW has managed to secure Zanies tickets for the Friday evening our national conference ends for a discounted rate of $20! When registering for the 2008 Conference, you’ll be given the opportunity to check a box indicating if you’d be interested in purchasing tickets for Zanies. While the performer has yet to be announced, you can be assured that Zanies will have a solid lineup for that evening.

If you enjoy comedy and want to unwind a bit after the national conference, be sure to extend your stay at Pheasant Run for an evening and check that box when filling out your conference registration. If the board’s experience is anything to go by, you won’t be disappointed!

Regards,
Ron Pringle
Lakes Region Director

p.s. If you want to see Chris Audano, NAGW President, blush, just ask her what Jo Koy's son colored with his green marker! ;-)

 



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