Well, maybe not an adventure in the strictest sense (we got out of the convention center maybe once or twice), but COATS had a great time at Staffing World 2011 last week in New Orleans. That’s us in the pic there: VP of Sales & Marketing Karen Connor, VP of Sales & Marketing for Reliance Staffing & Recruiting (our sister staffing company) Lynn Connor and CEO Tom Sarach.
While Wednesday was fairly laid-back, despite an exhilarating start by fighter pilot Jim Murphy, the conference really kicked into high gear on Thursday. Our booth saw lots of traffic from our existing clients and friends, and from new friends who wanted to learn about how truly integrated staffing software works.
The conference sessions were fantastic, especially in how they varied the approach to learning. There were traditional workshops and seminars, but other formats included the “knowledge network,” in which attendees swapped insight on best practices that they’d learned from their own businesses. And a great session during the “immersion program” section combined the best of both formats, alternating a panel presentation with knowledge-network-style discussion of the panelists’ topics.
In addition, most of us managed to get out of the hotel long enough to experience some of New Orleans. Tom, Lynn and Karen went to Paddy O’Brien’s for dueling pianos (and terrifyingly large hurricanes), while I went on a walking tour of the French Quarter and bought a genuine voodoo doll. Plus, we all lucked out: the weather was great.
Overall, we had an educational, inspiring, fun and illuminating experience at Staffing World 2011. We hope to see you there next year!