On June 23-27 I directed my sixth writers’ conference at the W in Atlanta. By all accounts, attendees, faculty and staff were all immensely pleased with Ms. Neecha’s choice of hotels. Since we couldn’t get the venue secured in Chicago in time, we decided on Atlanta instead. Neecha did the site visits solo and forwarded her recommendations and photos taken throughout her tours. As it turned out, I was able to negotiate the best contract at her favorite property, and its location was about as close to perfect as a group can get. The only negative was the distance from the airport, but the local amenities more than made up for that with the Perimeter Center Mall, Cheesecake Factory, Maggiano’s, and Carrabba’s (all favorites of mine) within easy walking distance.
By my standards, this conference was 90% excellent. I give it a 9 on my 1-10 scale. The minuses included the t-shirt printer sending all of the shirts I’d ordered in only one size, one missing page of name badges, and some missing feedback surveys. Since we had none on hand, I had planned, upon returning to Dallas, to create online surveys and send them to everyone via email, but when I got back I returned the laptop I’d been using while mine was being repaired, and then had a series of computer problems with my own lasting through mid-July. By then it was a bit late to be sending feedback surveys so I begrudgingly let it go.
The workshops and presenters were more exceptional than ever, if that’s possible. One speaker cancelled and Linda Beed stepped up immediately to present the workshop in her place. Another speaker was presenting two workshops and had a family emergency that prevented her attending. Sharon Ewell Foster covered one of the topics and then she, Vincent Alexandria, Angela Benson, and Venise Berry teamed up and discussed the other topic as a panel. It is amazing to me the way my presenters are always coming through in a pinch to ensure attendees get the information they came for. Professionals dedicated to their fellow writers, they truly are.
Everything else went according to plan. The luncheon at Maggiano’s was magnifique, receptions were a blast, and the Author Expo and vendors attracted quite a few buyers thanks, in part, to the large family reunion also being held in the hotel. Our bookseller on Saturday stayed busy. Lots of book sales during those three days!
We awarded prizes to Nakia Laushaul, Monique Mensah and Cynthia Carter for their entries in the Give Me Five writing contest. Sara Freeman Smith presented conference manager Monica Blache with an award for exemplary service accompanied by an absolutely beautiful speech. Caught Moni totally by surprise, and then she turned around and did the same thing to me! 
The surprises were undoubtedly my second favorite thing about the conference. From the VIP treatment Anita Heiss and I enjoyed at Gladys & Ron’s Chicken & Waffles the first night; my surprising Jackie, a long-time online friend of mine from Wisconsin, with the presence of her youngest son, Louis; getting lost with Louis, Bryan-Keyth, Christie, and Robert in a rough part of town and ending up at some really weird bar; to the unexpected appearance of three more of my long-time favorite people, Brian Egeston, his wife Latise, and Felicia, one of my best friends since grade school–seeing them all did my heart so good!! I was able to take the time this year connect with more of the speakers and attendees on an individual basis, spent time with my goddaughter Erryn and close friend Katrina, met more of my dearest dotcomrades from years and years of Internet social networking than I can count, and had more fun at this conference than the last four combined. The operative word for this conference was definitely “MORE.”
One of my absolute favorite moments was the surprise impromptu performance by Brian of his acclaimed poem, “Read,” followed by the ever-so-inspirational performance of law professor & poet extraordinaire Tonya Evans’ “Shine.” They both brought tears to my and Moni’s eyes. To have been there in the beginning with the two of these extraordinarily talented word artists and then to be blessed by recitations as passionate and beautiful as they were the first time we heard them ten years ago AND during the anniversary celebration of the first time we all met … it was humbling, moving, amazing, unforgettable, and surreal. I get goosebumps and teary-eyed even now as I write about it. It’s still surreal, honestly.
My staff and I have elected to not hold a BWRC 2011; the next one will be in 2012.
