Do you see it, just there in the distance? It’s coming closer and clearer into view. If you look closely enough, you will see it’s not your average conference or your ordinary learning experience. It’s SNA’s 2012 Annual National Conference (ANC) and a whole new horizon of opportunities waiting to be explored!

That’s right, ANC 2012 is starting to come into view and NOW is the time to register! This year’s conference will be held July 15-18, 2012, in the ‘Mile High City’ of Denver, where you will discover the sky is the limit! Whether you are new to school nutrition or at the height of your career, the school nutrition event of the year is your opportunity to achieve school nutrition excellence. To get excited now about all that’s possible at ANC, here are the top reasons you simply must be in Denver this July:

1. ANC is all about you, a school nutrition professional. No matter what your individual job responsibility is in school nutrition, ANC can give you the confidence, ideas and momentum you need to successfully overcome the obstacles that stand between you and your professional goals. Every education session, every speaker and every exhibit booth is designed to provide you with the information you need to benefit your career, your program and your students.
2. With four days of learning (even more if you attend pre-conference sessions), four key topic areas (operations, nutrition, administration and communications/marketing) and 90 education sessions from which to choose, you can create a customized schedule that fits your own educational needs.
3. Networking! Networking! Networking! ANC is your chance to meet professionals who represent districts from all corners and build a personal network of peers whom you can call on for ideas and best-practice solutions. At ANC 2011, there were more than 7,300 school nutrition professionals, vendors and advocates in attendance, making ANC the best place to connect and learn.
4. There simply is not a more breathtaking backdrop for ANC than the Mile High City. Denver is nestled at the base of the Rockies, offering stunning views of more than 200 visible mountain peaks, including 32 that soar to 13,000 feet and above. Plus, within a mile radius of the Convetion Center, there are three sports stadiums, two art museums, a history museum, a river offering whitewater rafting, the country’s only downtown amusement park, a world-class aquarium, 300 restaurants and shopping galore.
5. Only at the school nutrition event of the year can you find such an exciting and captivating mix of keynote speakers. From Denise Austin to Ali Vincent, attend one of ANC’s general sessions and you will return home energized to begin a new school year.
6. Considered the largest school nutrition exposition of food, beverage, equipment, supply and services available to the market, the ANC Exhibit Hall is one of the most valuable elements of the conference. Featuring more than 800 booths from 340+ companies, you will be able to collect information and talk one-on-one with industry representatives to get answers to your questions so that you can make better purchasing decisions.
7. In addition to the pre-conference and education session lineup, ANC 2012 will feature other opportunities to further target your training to your specific needs. From Chapter Leadership Day and Membership Section Meetings to the Child Nutrition Showcase and Earning CEUs, ANC will help you stay ahead of the professional curve by offering information you can’t get anywhere else.
8. ANC is you your chance to celebrate—in an environment of camaraderie and fun—your passion and commitment to feeding out nation’s children. Exciting events like the SNA Awards Ceremony, Puttin’ on the Glitz and, of course, the Final Event featuring The Beach Boys, will bring a smile to your face and get the positive energy flowing!
9. Finding solutions to today’s school nutrition challenges requires out-of-the-box thinking. ANC will help you work through these challenges to take the lead in the school nutrition profession by providing a positive and stimulating learning environment.

Why only nine reasons? What happened to the tenth? Well, the reasons for attending could go on and on… but now it’s your turn. What’s your top reason for attending ANC each year? Let us know in the comments below!

To maximize your conference value for you and your school nutrition team, register by May 11th and combine the early-bird registration fees with the savings SNA members receive when more than one person in the same membership category registers from their school district. To learn more about ANC 2012, visit www.schoolnutrition.org/anc.

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