Connection 2014

By
Youth Collaboratory

Connection-2014

Baltimore, MD | 9.9. 2014

The Admiral Fell Inn

 
It wasn't just an event, it was an experience. Connection 2014 was about everyone who was in the room. The relaxed atmosphere encouraged creative conversations about the topics that matter most in our field today.
panel
 
balcony3
 
DSC_0029
 
vu connect
 
Who participated?
 
Connection 2014 brought people from all over the country – 31 states to be exact.  From program directors to executive leaders, from consultants to government officials, everyone shared the same space, listened to the same incredible speakers, and discussed new ideas for making change for the youth and families we serve.
 
position-graphmap What made the speakers so incredible? The diversity of topics that speakers addressed added breadth and depth to the conversations people had during the Building Connection breaks. Quick and fast-paced, speakers challenged, inspired, moved, and many times, entertained Connection participants. “All of the speakers were fantastic! Their enthusiasm and passion for the work they do was evident and kept the audience engaged.”   session1 session2   session3a   poets   Jamie-Megan
 

What did participants think?

 “Short presentations were amazing. It felt like people got directly to the heart of the information they wanted to share without compromising or losing out on anything important. It kept me engaged and interested. The opportunities to connect . . . how it was woven into the day. As I spoke with a peer, we both felt like at different conferences, participants go their separate ways;  MANY really created an atmosphere of engagement and connections.”

“Thought it had a great flow and loved the more laid back feeling. The speakers were really engaging and I found myself really looking forward to hearing what each was going to talk about. Several speakers in a session helped keep things upbeat and energetic. The longer breaks were nice - helped keep energy up.” “I appreciate the excellence and enthusiasm that went into the Connection conference. It was strategically thought out and executed. Speakers represented a spectrum of diverse knowledge, issues and trends in the field, provided practical tools for leadership and service, and were knowledgeable of the youth we serve and strategies to positively impact their lives. The culmination of featuring the youth at the end brought it all together and made it all make sense. It was a great reminder of the purpose of our business....why we do what we do. The networking opportunities were great for gaining insights on what others are doing in the field and for speaking with other experts who 'get it.' It was a great meeting of the minds and an encouragement that we are not in it alone - we share similar challenges and successes.” What else should we know about Connection 2014? There will be a Connection 2015 – 100% of surveyed participants said they would attend another MANY Connection event. Keep an eye out for details. There will be videos available of the talks – MANY is releasing the speaker talks on our YouTube page. If you want to make sure you get updates, sign up for emails here, and don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Focus areas