-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Over 5,000 at SLA 2008
Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:59:57 -0400
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This note just in from SLA Headquarters:
*Over 5,000 at SLA 2008 "Break Rules & Build Bridges" During Special
Libraries Association Annual Conference in Seattle*
/Largest Gathering of Info Pros in North America Hosts Attendees from
Six Continents /
*Alexandria, Virginia, USA, 27 June 2008* - Exhibition and attendance
figures for the Special Libraries Association's (SLA) Annual Conference
and INFO-EXPO held in Seattle, 15 - 18 June, exceeded planners'
expectations and included, for the second year in a row, SLA members
from every chapter around the globe.
Final attendance figures for SLA 2008 totaled 5,011 individuals from six
continents. Of that number, 845 participants were first-time SLA
conference participants. SLA's INFO-EXPO, the largest information and
knowledge management exposition in North America and the most
significant gathering of content and technology providers in the world,
featured 283 companies and organizations and 464 total booths. SLA
welcomed 50 new exhibitors in 2008.
"SLA delivered yet another relevant and cutting-edge conference this
year. Going by the positive feedback, inspired discussions, and the
excitement I heard from attendees, I think it is safe to say SLA 2008
lived up to its theme of Breaking Rules and Building Bridges," said SLA
Chief Executive Officer Janice R. Lachance. "SLA members are breaking
the rules that define the profession and their place in it. They are
constantly shattering stereotypes and conventional wisdom surrounding
what it means to be a librarian or info pro in the 21st century."
Lachance continued, "The programs offered in Seattle were designed to
help info pros and librarians build more value into the services they
provide, and expand into new roles in today's information economy," said
Lachance. "Next year SLA will celebrate its centennial, and the
Centennial Conference in Washington, DC, will be the perfect opportunity
to honor our past, while looking toward tomorrow and beyond. The
excitement for the future of this profession is palpable and this energy
and enthusiasm should carry us through another 100 years!"
*Flashback*
SLA 2008 officially began on 15 June at the Washington State Convention
Center with the Grand Opening of the INFO-EXPO exhibit hall. Later that
evening, SLA's 2008 Award Recipients were honored for their
accomplishments in the information industry during the Opening General
Session and Awards Ceremony. It was an evening very much focused on the
future of information. The Opening General Session began with a
description of SLA's new Innovation Laboratory by SLA President Stephen
Abram. He described how the lab will allow SLA members to experiment
with Enterprise 2.0 tools in a risk-free environment.
The session culminated with a keynote presentation featuring Google's
Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist, one of the "Fathers of the
Internet," Dr. Vint Cerf, who was interviewed by award-winning
journalist Charlie Rose. After being introduced, Rose, who was seated
next to Cerf, told the audience of librarians, info pros and their
partners, "What we do is dependent upon good information, and you are
the masters of that." Both approachable and inspiring, Cerf provided a
fascinating perspective on how the Internet started, where we are now,
and the major issues we are facing. When asked by Rose about the future
of content delivery, Cerf struck a chord within the audience of info
pros and librarians. "Somehow, when all this is matured, everyone will
have access to the knowledge of everyone who wants to share what they
know. That idea is so wonderful. You can learn something from anyone,"
said Cerf.
*Seth Godin Schools SLA on Marketing Value*
Seth Godin is a best selling author, entrepreneur, and agent of change.
Addressing the audience of librarians and information professionals
during the Closing General Session, he shared a very powerful message.
Taking a moment to compliment SLA members, Godin said, "It's hard for me
to find smart audiences. I wanted to talk to this group because you get
it-you understand opportunities. Every person in this room is a
marketer. Librarians spread ideas-truth is meaningless if it doesn't
spread-we need to figure out how to do that."
According to Godin, marketing and story telling can change employers'
perception of info pros. He discussed how important it is to "clear
through clutter" to get to remarkable bits. That as consumers, we see
clutter on the store shelves, clutter from the content providers
(databases, books, journals, websites, portals, etc.) and, according to
Godin, "we are dealing with clutter with more clutter."
His advice to librarians and info pros, "Yelling and hoping to make
enough money doesn't work. People won't be forced. When people know the
story we want them to know, we've done a good job." He said, "Either
keep pushing against the wind or change what you're doing and have the
wind at your back. Tell your story."
*2008 Annual Membership Meeting*
Following a well received report from SLA Treasurer Sylvia James, the
membership heard from SLA CEO Janice R. Lachance, who delivered her
annual State of the Association address. Lachance emphasized that SLA is
undertaking an extensive, research-based examination of the profession,
and of SLA's position in the evolving information economy.
The CEO's upbeat and inspirational speech touched on all of the
innovations and enhancements the association has made in new products
and services in the last year, as well as provided motivational words to
the audience. Lachance said, "You are intelligent, caring, dedicated
professionals who do not tend to call attention to yourselves but...
rather...let your work speak for itself. Applying old stereotypes...some
may see you as passive. I KNOW you are passionate."
She continued, "It is time for this passion to be recognized and
appreciated by everyone. It is time for you to take control of YOUR
future. I have never been more optimistic about the future of this
profession and I have never been more confident of your success."
SLA members were then updated on the progress of the research-based
project by members of the team from Fleishman-Hillard and Outsell, as
well as given a brief preview of the plans for the SLA Centennial
Celebration in 2009. The SLA Annual Conference and INFO EXPO celebrating
100 years of SLA will be held in Washington, DC, 14-17 June. The theme
for the Centennial conference is: "Information to Inspiration: Knowledge
& Vision Shaping the Future."
*About SLA*
The Special Libraries Association (SLA) is a nonprofit global
organization for innovative information professionals and their
strategic partners. SLA serves more than 11,000 members in 75 countries
in the information profession, including corporate, academic, and
government information specialists. SLA promotes and strengthens its
members through learning, advocacy, and networking initiatives. For more
information, visit us on the Web at www.sla.org <http://www.sla.org>.
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