The Big Easy.  What would you expect from a place known for easy, laid back living and a treasure trove of good eating and entertainment?  Well for starters, it was the host to probably the most attended Professional Development Training conferences that AGA has ever hosted!!!  And it is no wonder!

This conference offered up generous helpings of:

• professional training on topics ranging from robots to regulations, 
• networking opportunities,
• entertainment, 
• inspiring presentations, 
• many assorted exhibitors, 
• raffles and auctions, 
• awards presentations,
• great food, and 
• some fun splashed in for good measure!  

Talk about overload!  It really had something for everyone.  And that was just the conference!  There were also many attractions to see and experience if you ventured out into the city of New Orleans.

If you have not previously attended a PDT, you are missing an opportunity to earn world-class professional development credits and to network and build professional and personal friendships with a committed group of professionals.  AGA really does have a variety of ways to engage everyone.  This conference was no exception.  

One of the highlights of attending a PDT is the plenary (general assembly) sessions.  This year, the sessions featured GAO’s comptroller, Gene Dodaro, Author Kelly McDonald, Leadership Coach Natalie Fikes, Fiscal Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, David Lebryk and Deputy Comptroller of the US, OMB Tim Soltis and Ben Nemtin of MTV’s hit show, “The Buried Life.”

As you can imagine, there were compelling points that each of these presentations made. I’ll try my best to summarize:

• Gene Dodaro discussed changes from last year’s U.S. government’s financial position and GAO’s initiatives for the future.  He spoke about what auditors may look forward to in the future as well.
• Kelly McDonald gave us a refreshing perspective of how to work with others who are not like you.  She challenged the ways to look at various labels such as gender, age, ethnicity and other categories and offered ways to create dialogues that can help in the work world.
• Natalie Fikes offered a different perspective for changing your mindset to release unlimited potential inside and advice for living the life you want.
• David Lebryk and Tim Soltis discussed progress on administration priorities and their focus for the future.  They each brought out some compelling thoughts on directions for the future
• Ben Nemtin provided a “wow” factor in sharing a bucket list of seemingly impossible goals that grew from his three buddies and himself into a global movement and garnered him opportunities to raise money for charity to sharing the bucket list on a grand scale with MTV’s hit show “The Buried Life.”

Well, the PDT is gone until next year. It was amazing!  However, the chance to engage with AGA activities can happen year round both through events listed on the AGA website to actual events with your chapters.  I encourage you to reach out and join in the activities!
 

Glenda Ostrander

Immediate Past President

Atlanta Chapter