Following along with Gwen Bell's the Best of 2009 Blog Challenge, the official question for today is:

Day 6: A conference or workshop that was especially beneficial?

This is my second take on this challenge. Here's what I wrote the first time around:

This is just plain sad. Too sad for words actually. I mean, I was a conference planner for more than five years. I love conferences. Workshops and meetings turn me on.... which makes what I'm going to say next sad beyond words.

I didn't attend a single conference or workshop all year long. 2008 was the year for great conferences -- Fullness of Truth in August, Do It With Drupal in December. Life changing, both of them.

But 2009? Nothing, nada, zip. No name tags. No useless conference bags. No expensive conference center food. No new conference buddies. No workshop inspiration.

I already have one workshop planned for 2010 -- Florida DrupalCamp in February -- and I've resolved to take more time to connect with others in a learning environment.

It's not true. My Disney colleague Joe at Dream Come True Vacations reminded me of that. Truth be told, that's even more embarrassing because he is one who arranged for the conference I attended AND the conference was hosted by the fine people at the Disney Institute, one of my favorite places on earth. Do I know how to cook crow? Because it's time to eat some.

The program was titled Disney's Approach to Brand Loyalty. Our family could be a study in brand loyalty. In fact, at the time I attended the conference, my husband and I were in the midst of planning to move to Florida in large part because of our love for Walt Disney World. I could see our experience reflected in many of the examples that the facilitators gave to describe how Disney builds loyal, devoted customers.

I'm not going to give any details about the program itself -- if you want to know, go experience it for yourself! Here's what I will tell you: My "aha" moment came during a discussion of whether customer wants are more important than their needs. It suprised the heck out of me. Large bold letters in my notebook turned into little sticky notes by my computer screen. That moment guided some significant changes to how I approached my work. 

Now for some time in quiet reflection to consider why I needed to be reminded ... and to re-create the sticky notes so I don't forget again.

(PS: To any of my meeting planning colleagues who happen to read this, I'm here in Orlando, one of the conference capitals of the world. Feel free to let me know when you're in town... I'd love to meet up!)