The Southwest Region enjoyed a highly successful Bi-Region Conference with the North Central Region at the Curtis Hotel in downtown Denver, which was hosted by the Denver and Pikes Peak Chapters. All or parts of 16 states, 26 chapters, and approx. 1.2 million square miles of the US were represented in this joint Region gathering!
A full day of President-Elect training opened the events on Wednesday. It was followed by two very full days of additional Chapter leadership training, CDT Boot Camp, Product Rep Academy, technical seminars (the list of topics was impressive), and a large Trade Show. Also during these days attendees, their companions, and families could engage in interesting technical and Denver area visitor tours. The weather cooperated spectacularly!
Notable keynote speakers included CSI’s Mark Dorsey, CEO, Mr. Paul Hammond of the Colorado Railroad Museum, and Mr. Lee Whiteley a Colorado author who has written extensively on the National Park-to-Park Highway System. OF COURSE there was an Awards Banquet, and a list of those honored can be found HERE. Congrats to the Denver Chapter for (finally!) winning the Arcadia Cup for the highest percentage of members attending the Conference, an award presented at each SWR Conference in the driest of humor by Mr. Ken Martinek of Arcadia Inc. Joint dinners large and small, a hospitality suite, and informal gatherings at the hotel bar (of course) offered opportunities to meet new colleagues in the strong professional camaraderie of CSI. The Conference closed on Saturday after 1/2-day of individual Region business meetings and a joint recap and discussion about current Institute re-alignment plans.
Our thanks to the planners who stuck with it and finally made this event happen after 2 missed opportunities during the pandemic. Ms. Robin Snyder (SWR) and Ms. Laura Jean Derrick (NCR) served as co-chairs, and were assisted by many volunteers in both Regions. Thanks also go to dozens of Conference Sponsors, seminar presenters, and all companies with exhibits in the Trade Show. Two photo albums have also been compiled, and are linked below. Thanks to all contributors!
2022 Bi-Region Conference Events: https://photos.app.goo.gl/THzxKtm41qFfCyVA8
2022 Bi-Region Conference Tours https://photos.app.goo.gl/Sux2f8DE4XdHGwfp8