Day Three of the National Charter Schools Conference in Chicago, IL, begins early at 6:30 am.  With a breakfast of burritos and fruit we get started greeting folks at 7:30 am in the exhibit hall.  I was already anticipating my busy afternoon of closing down the booth at 3:30 pm, getting the display shipped off and packed properly, hitting the cab to the subway, and the subway to the airport.  With my plane taking off at 6:25 pm and it being an hour away from my hotel, I was sweating it!

The day was a busy blur of passersby asking for a trinket to take home to their child, grandchildren, or as one lady put it, "oh, my dog will love this frisbee".  Although not exactly what you want to spend your marketing dollars on, I kindly obliged with a smile and a quick run through of our 30 second elevator speech about our services.  Making a few more connections from the virtual charter school world, I watched the clock as it quickly approached 3:30 pm.  I had my booth packaged up and ready to go within 30 minutes.  As I hurried up the breezeway making my trek to the hotel entrance and my awaiting cab, I saw an angel.

Yes, that's right.  I saw an angel jogging towards me trying to flag me down.  At closer glance it was "Bob" from a neighboring booth with my Blackberry in his hand.  He asked me if I had forgotten anything!  Shew!  What a relief.  For anyone who's ever almost left, lost, or has left or lost their blackberry can really relate to my deeming him an "angel".  With a quick thank you I was soon off in a cab on my way to the "Blue Line".

Not an experienced traveler, riding a subway would be a brand new experience for me.  Hurrying through to buy my ticket I made sure to have correct change this time.  Waiting on the train, it was hot, humid, and smelly.  The train ride was uneventful and arriving at the airport with 45 minutes to spare, I felt a sigh of relief.  Grabbing a pretzel from Auntie Anne's for a quick dinner I was looking forward to getting home.

Connecting in Charlotte, I enjoyed a few relaxing moments of "people watching" and was soon headed home to the small town of Montgomery, AL.  Driving home around 10:30 pm, I thought back over my trip to the big city of Chicago, IL.  I laughed out loud at the irony of my ideals of how my trip to Chicago would go and the reality of how things played out.  Adding insult to injury I remembered the A-list of keynote speakers including Bill Gates, none of which I had the pleasure to hear speak. 

Arriving home safe and sound I thought back to my childhood dreams of living large in the big city and realized that I am truly a small town girl at heart.  Conference going can teach you that kind of thing, you know.

Small Town Girl Big City Living' Day 3

The skyline was beautiful in the morning light.  Just seeing the sun coming up sheds new light on everything and gave me a new vigor to begin my day with a busy day of meeting new contacts.  Making the 15 minute hike to the conference hall proved to be a bit more challenging carrying a heavy back in heels but the fresh fruit and breakfast burrito made it better.  Picking up my registration packet, I realized they still have us listed under our old name and logo.  Oh well...

Arriving to my booth I recognized that I unlike everyone else was standing on concrete and not a nice piece of carpet.  When I asked the coordinator for a carpet or rug, I was told they'd check into it.  I started the day with a promising attitude.  I would meet lots of folks involved in virtual charter schools and they'd all be ready to hear what I had to say.  The conference hall was huge and had over 500 vendors.  Although our booth location was good, it became painfully clear that virtual charter schools weren't represented nearly as much as bricks and mortar.  Many folks I spoke with weren't even sure of what virtual schools were.  I did however meet a nice young man named Paul from Aventa Learning.  We discussed our businesses and agreed there may be a fit for SmarterMeasure in their online curriculum.  We exchanged business cards and agreed to talk after the conference.

As the day progressed, looking forward to lunch became a constant source of comfort.  What will they have?  In a town like Chicago, I was sure the menu would be extra special.  Around noon I began seeing folks walk around with a clear plastic box.  At closer glance I saw an apple, bag of chips, and a small round bowl.  Hungry and curious I walked towards the eating area.  Then I saw it...tables lined with clear plastic boxes all including a red apple, bag of lays chips, water, cookies, and a sandwich or salad.  Really?  All the way to Chicago and I get a sandwich? 

Finishing off my salad I considered bartering with my apple and chips but ultimately chose to give them away.  Disappointed and hungry, I began what seemed like a long afternoon of asking folks if they were involved with a bricks and mortar school or online efforts.  When one person said, "you are talking greek and I speak English", I decided to smile to passersby, hand them a frisbee and smile.  That seemed to work better.

Closing with a networking hour, 7:00 was finally here and I was ready to hit the town of Chicago and get a taste of what they are famous for...deep dish pizza!  Exhausted, I caught my second wind and was determined to spend two hours "experiencing Chicago"!

Convinced I would enjoy seeing the city on a bus ride, I went to the stop outside my hotel and waited.  To many public transportation is a way of life, but around here it isn't so much.  This was an adventure for me.  It began when I stepped on the bus with a $20 bill.  Looking at the money machine and the annoyed driver, it was obvious I was an "outsider".  I had no change and neither did he.  We just looked at each other and I slowly turned to get off the bus.  Startled by a honk I turned around and he sympathetically said "come on".  So yes, I got a free bus ride!

Which for some may sound exciting and even I enjoy a good deal (saved $2.25).  But with all the stopping, starting, and unusual smells, free didn't feel much like a bargain.  Catching a quick glimpse of a street sign that said "Honorary Magnificent Mile", I figured that was as close as I'd come.  Stepping off at my stop I arrived at Gino's all in one piece but a bit nauseous.  Walking closer to the brick structure, my eyes focused on the line winding around the building.  "It is famous after all" I thought out loud.

Two hours later, feeling accomplished, full, with takeout box in hand, I stepped out of Gino's and hopped into a cab.  A few minutes later I arrived back at the hotel and headed up to the pull out bed for sweet dreams. 

Small Town Girl Big City Living' Day 2

Growing up in a small down and spending all of my adult life in Montgomery, AL, I would describe myself as a small town girl with an interest in the big city life.  Traveling with my job requires me to be away a few times a year and affords me the opportunity to catch a glimpse of cities around the country.  Last week, I attended the National Charter Schools Conference in the big city of Chicago, IL.  Arriving a bit later than expected, things were off to a rough start!  Although the flights were smooth, awaiting an airport shuttle to take me to my destination swiftly was another story.  Approximately 45 minutes later we finally left the airport stuffed in like sardines and headed for a hour's drive in traffic.  Which turned into an hour and a half drive with seven stops with mine being the 7th!

Pulling up at the Hyatt McCormick Place I was relieved, car sick, and exhausted all at the same time.  Confident of my confirmed reservation I wasn't worried that I'd arrived at 7:30.  Unfortunately they were oversold.  The nice gentleman behind the counter proceeded to give me options.  I told him he must be mistaken that I'd called on Friday and confirmed my reservation.  He apologized and then gave me my options again.  Describing a 27th floor room with a view, luxury suite, at half price, it sounded like a good deal.  And then he said "However, this room doesn't actually have a bed but a pull out sofa".  HUH?  You mean I've come all the way to the big city of Chicago, home of Oprah, the magnificent mile, and original deepdish pizza to stay in a luxury hotel on a pull out bed?  Really?  In disbelief, too exhausted to argue I agreed and insisted on a food and beverage credit which he happily obliged. 

Late for the exhibit hall already, I dropped my bags with the bellhop and hurried on to the conference hall which was a 15 minute hike.  Exhausted and hungry I arrived to the closed and closely guarded exhibit hall. Using my sweetest southern drawl, I was able to beg my way in promising to set up in less than 30 minutes.  Hurriedly I set up the display only to find it broken; however, I was able to rig it up and managed to head out within my borrowed 30 minutes. 

Stopping by the hotel restaurant I grabbed a quick supper and finally headed to my "luxury suite".  As I walked into my room, I was amazed at the beautiful view.  Windows all around with a stunning skyline and city lights all aglow.  Settling down after a long day of travel, rushing around, and a rough airport shuttle ride, I pulled the blackout shades and slept like a baby on the pull out couch, after all, 6:30 am would be coming early in the morning. 

Small Town Girl Big City Living' Day 1

At the recent DLA conference in Jekyll Island, Georgia, Dr. Mac Adkins, President of SmarterServices was awarded the AliveTek Innovation Award.  He was awarded for his long standing efforts in distance learning. 

AliveTek Award goes to Dr. Mac Adkins

Recently at the AIR 50th Annual Forum conference in Chicago, IL, Ruth Salter of Albany State University gave her opinion on the most aspect of end of course evaluations.  Watch and see if you agree.

End of Course Evaluations