Seattle

As I sit here watching yet another rainy, gray day (which we're happy for, having had several years of drought), I can't help but think of Seattle. I love most cities and I've been to Seattle once. My dad and I went to see a Mariner's game and see the city a bit before I headed to Victoria for the 2001 conference. What a fascinating part of the world, certainly different from what I experience down here in South Carolina. I remember flying over the mountains, completely different from the mountains of the Appalachians. We went up the Space Needle for an amazing view. We saw the Mariners and enjoyed the view from the deck. We went to the market, of course. I don't remember the fish flying so much, but I do remember the stunning and beautiful colors of the flowers. And I remember being so inspired by a city built by grass roots movements.

Budgets are tough all over right now, so I encourage all of you to go look at the schedule and see what Randall Cole has put together for us. For those of you that though Savannah was a shift towards our different roles and different ways to communicate, Seattle will continue that conversation. I think he's still putting the finishing touches on some programming, but look for everything from email marketing ideas to the Vancouver Olympic design team. Learn about experience design to strategies for inhouse design groups to sustainable design practices. We've even got a panel discussion with panelists you'd like to see do their own individual talks. And of course, we've got some great opportunities for all of you to network and find that great support community that UCDA offers.

So start working on your boss now, as it's going to be a great conference. I think Randall's outdoing me with the conference planning! Going to be hard to choose what sessions to see.