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Your Dollars at Work—North to Alaska!
Torchlight | Summer 2008
Danny, Pat and Lindsay enjoy the Alaska Bookstore Conference
Did you know that the NACS Foundation has provided more than $1.99 million to state and regional associations for more than 25 years? It's because of industry support from members like you who have so graciously supported the Foundation with monetary donations through its Endowment campaigns, that it was able to provide yet another grant to one more state and regional association. Thank you, NACS members! Because of your contributions the NACS Foundation was able to provide valuable education and networking opportunities to a fantastic association!
April 9 and 10 found 24 bookstore staff and 15 vendor reps sharing ideas, product knowledge, and camaraderie in Anchorage, AK. Thanks to many efforts, including funding from the NACS Foundation, the Alaska Bookstore Conference was a huge success. Among those responsible for the kudos: Ueli Stadler, CCR, bookstore manager at Reed College in Portland, Rachel Epstein, UAA Events Coordinator, Joyce Colajezzi, director of UAA Business Services and manager of the bookstore, 11 vendors, the NACS Foundation, and the Northwest College Bookstore Association (NCBA).
Alaska is part of the NCBA territory but most stores are not able to participate in any regional meetings due to the long distances and high cost. As a key constituent in making this meeting a reality for Alaskan stores, Ueli Stadler, CCR, bookstore manager, Reed College Bookstore, personally assisted in organizing this meeting with NCBA Board consensus that this was well-spent funding and a very worthwhile outreach.
"Without the funding from the Foundation and vendor support we would not have been able to offer as many educational sessions and networking opportunities to attendees," described Stadler. "You could tell and feel that attendees were really hungry for education and very much appreciated this opportunity. They really enjoyed the opportunity to get together and realize that they were not alone with their issues and problems."
Staff from six Alaska bookstores were able to attend this special meeting. Colleagues attended sessions presented by Danny Key, CCR of Wingate University, Scott Franz of Gonzaga University, Patty McCray-Roberts of Peninsula College, and Ueli Stadler. The NACS Foundation sponsored Danny Key's presentation of Creating Your Store's Future. Vendor sponsorship from MBS, Echo Global, Follett, University Frames, and D&H along with the UAA Bookstore, helped defray all meal costs and made the experience an affordable reality.
The attendees and vendors alike reported positive feedback. According to Steve Schwarz, western regional marketing manager for MBS, "While the Alaska group was a small group, everyone was very engaged and participatory in the sessions. The interaction showed real interest in the topics presented, as well as an in-depth knowledge of our industry." From the attendee feedback: "We're so isolated here in Alaska that we don't get many opportunities to exchange information about this business with others. This is a rare opportunity to gather to discuss some of the unique features of conducting business in Alaska."
For more information about NCBA, the Alaska Bookstore Conference, and a slide show, access the NCBA web site at www.nwcba.org.
The NACS Foundation generously supports NACS educational programming which includes CAMEX, Innovate!, Campus Computer Resellers Alliance, Xtreme, CRI, online courses, webcasts, state and regional facilitator-led programs, and many more educational opportunities. For more information on how you, your store, or your state and regional association can apply for financial assistance from the Foundation, please visit us online or contact Kristi Runser, grant administrator, at (800) 622-7498, ext. 2206, or e-mail krunser@nacs.org. If you would like to make a donation to allow the NACS Foundation to persist supporting educational opportunities, contact DeAnn Hazey, executive director, at ext. 2286 or e-mail dhazey@nacs.org.
-Laurie Bales, Portland Community College/Meredith Bruder
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