Held annually in April, the National Leadership Conference (NLC) is tailored for state association leaders to learn, network and build leadership skills.
April 27-29, 2023 | Louisville, Kentucky
Event Details
Engage Community
The National Leadership Conference (#NLC23) is tailored for state leaders to learn, network and build leadership skills. Come join fellow colleagues in Louisville, Ky., for an unparalleled experience to learn how to be a better leader in your association, school district and community.
Note: This conference is open only to state association leaders to attend.
Future Leaders Program (Invitation-Only)
The SNA Future Leaders Program provides an in-depth leadership experience for future leaders of the School Nutrition Association at #NLC23.
Future Leaders are given the opportunity to network with other emerging leaders from across the country, hone their leadership and communication skills and learn from seasoned SNA leaders and Association executives in an interactive learning environment. The cohort will participate in a psychometric assessment to better understand themselves, understand others and make the most of the relationships that affect them in the workplace.
Courtesy Policy
Please be courteous to other attendees and speakers. Turn off all cellular phones and electronic devices during conference sessions.
Register Here
REGISTRATION FEES:
- EARLY BIRD RATE—EB (RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE March 31)
- REGULAR RATE—RR (RECEIVED AFTER March 31)
Do not mail/fax registrations. Registrations will only be accepted online.
| Categories | EB | RR | |
| NLC Registration | $499 | $599 | |
| Future Leader | $575 | $675 | |
| Patron Member | $699 | $799 |
Registration Details
Full registration includes access to all General Sessions, Education Sessions, the Welcome Reception and conference meals, as well as full access to the digital content on the #NLC23 app for up to 30 days post-event.
Confirmation of registration will be sent via email immediately upon processing.
If you registered others, each individual would receive their own confirmation. If you have mailed payment, please allow up to two business weeks for processing.
Refunds/Cancellations
We’d hate for you to miss the conference, but if you must, cancellations and refund requests must be received in writing by March 31, 2023. All refunds will be processed less a $75 administrative fee. No refunds will be made after March 31, 2023, or for NO-SHOWS. Requests may be submitted via email to meetings@schoolnutrition.org.
Transfers
If you are unable to attend the conference, you may transfer your registration to another individual within the same organization, provided advance written notice is forwarded to meetings@schoolnutrition.org by March 31, 2023. After March 31, you will be asked to make changes on-site. Please provide your name and the individual’s name to whom you are transferring your registration. No refunds will be made after March 31 or for NO-SHOWS.
Need to make a change?
To make any changes such as your registration type or contact information, please contact us at meetings@schoolnutrition.org and we’ll be happy to assist you. You can also contact us to register a spouse/family member or to purchase tickets to an event.
Opening General Session
Elevating Engagement: Uncommon Strategies for Creating a Thriving Member Experience
Keynote Speaker: Amanda Lea Kaiser
9:00 am—9:45 am Friday, April 28, 2023
We worry that new members won’t try out their benefits—then we lose sleep when they don’t participate. Even our most loyal members hesitate to volunteer, which is agonizing. If it feels like member engagement is in shorter supply than ever before, you are right!
Members’ needs are changing. They require more than value to engage with the association, and they also want memorable, positive experiences. It is time for every association leader to take on the role of CEO—Chief Experience Officer, that is!
Join us as author Amanda Lea Kaiser walks you through how engagement builds from our member’s points of view. No matter the size or type of your association, and no matter your current role, see how you can boost your engagement metrics such as renewals and registrations. Using uncommon strategies from her book, “Elevating Engagement,” Kaiser will elaborate on how to create an energized and highly motivated membership.
By the end of the keynote, you’ll have the mindset of a Chief Experience Officer. Are you ready to go, CEO?
The strategies shared in this keynote can help you:
- Increase feelings of belonging
- Energize your organization
- Create community
Closing General Session
Leading While Scared: Activate the Courage to Keep Going
Keynote Speaker: Pierre Quinn
8:30 am—9:15 am Saturday, April 29, 2023
Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is choosing to move forward even though you’re afraid. In this session, based on his book, “Leading While Scared,” Pierre Quinn helps attendees walk through what it takes to lead effectively in the middle of facing their fears.
Hotel Accommodations
Hyatt Regency Louisville
320 West Jefferson Street
Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (502) 581-1234
Check-in: 4:00 pm—Check-out: 11:00 am
Located next to 4th Street live, Whiskey Row, and the top downtown attractions in Louisville. Hyatt Regency Louisville is just a few miles from Kentucky’s legendary horse racing venue, University of Louisville, and Kentucky Kingdom.
Reservation Information
SNA Discounted Room Rates: $195 per night, Single/Double, plus applicable taxes
REMINDER: Conference registration is required to be able to reserve a room within SNA’s discounted hotel room block. Whether registering online or by email/mail/fax, after you’ve submitted your payment and received your order confirmation, you will be given access to the Housing Reservation system, with a unique housing registration link tied to your individual registration. The School Nutrition Association reserves the right to cancel, without notification, any reservation that does not have a corresponding registration for NLC 2023.
Rooms are issued on a first-come, first-served basis until April 12, 2023. Please note the SNA discounted rate will not be available after the cut-off date of April 12, 2023, or prior to that date if the room block is full. Please make your reservations early to take advantage of the discounted rate. All rates are subject to all applicable taxes and assessments.
Cancellation policy: Reservations must be canceled ten (10) working days prior to arrival date, and a cancellation number must be obtained to avoid a penalty of one night’s room and tax charge.
Hotel Amenities, Services and Cleaning Protocols
Travel Information
Air Transportation: Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is the nearest major airport. The airport is about 6 miles from the hotel. When making your airline reservations, feel free to use Corporate Traveler, SNA’s official travel agency. SNA’s dedicated travel manager can be reached at (571) 302-7187 or via email at Rachel.Kronlein@corporatetraveler.us. **Please note that a $30 convenience/booking fee will be assessed by using Corporate Traveler.**
Ground Transportation: Options available, include taxi cabs, shuttle vans, ride share, and rental cars.
Parking: Indoor parking at Commonwealth Garage connected by a pedway on the Parking Garage level 3 to the hotel. **
**Parking garage clearance is 7 feet
- On-site parking fee: $24 USD per day
- Valet: $34 USD per day
Travel Information: Due to the changing nature of COVID-19, there is a constant flux of travel restrictions, so please refer to our Traveler Resources Hub for guidance: https://www.corporatetraveler.us/traveler-resource-hub.
Interactive 45-minute sessions on some of the trending issues in association management and leadership excellence.
Friday, April 28, 10:00 am—10:45 am
Championing Advocacy Efforts on the State Level
Cathy Schuchart, SNA Vice President of Government Affairs & Media Relation, Alisa Roman, SNS, Maine SNA President-elect, Julia Alotta, MPA, New York SNA Advocacy Coordinator, Michele Hawkinson, Minnesota SNA President-elect
More and more, legislation is happening on the state level. Come hear from experts who have championed school meal legislation and how they did it. In addition to sharing success stories, the experts will share resources to ensure your state’s advocacy goals can be achieved.
Leveraging Governance to Drive Results
Mary Power, FASAE, CAE, President, and Founder of M-Powering Leaders
Change is the key to growth. The challenge today is how to leverage the most effective changes in your governance to gain the impact and engagement you need as an effective organization. This session will focus on real-time issues that you are facing and offer tools you can use to effectively create the governance changes your chapter most needs in today’s fast-paced, hybrid society.
Officer Responsibilities for Financial Management
Wendy Young, RD, LD, SNS, Kentucky SNA Secretary/Finance Officer
This session is a down-to-earth session on how you can learn more about your school nutrition association’s finances. You will be taught simple finance management concepts from an officer’s perspective and the importance of knowing how finances work. We will discuss why effective nonprofit financial management is necessary and how your involvement helps to ensure your organization is financially healthy enough to pursue your mission.
Road mapping: Develop Your Professional Self
Heidi Weber, MBA, CAE, Executive Director of Alpha Omega Society
The road to professional recognition and authority is long and winding and sometimes requires an intentional hand at navigation! In this session, you’ll develop a map to becoming a well-regarded professional who is seen as both an expert and an important contact by colleagues. Regardless of where you are in your career and the resources and support you have available to you, you can develop a strategic plan for your personal development. You’ll leave this session with a roadmap to your future self and the skill to choose among opportunities to get there.
Friday, April 28, 11:00 am—11:45 am
Duties and Responsibilities of Non-Profit Boards of Directors and Officers
Peter Spanos, Taylor English Duma LLP
Non-profit Boards of Directors must fulfill their leadership responsibilities in an environment of high expectations and ever-intensifying scrutiny from a wide range of stakeholders. SNA’s General Counsel, Peter Spanos of the Taylor English law firm, provides a comprehensive review of the fiduciary obligations imposed on Directors and Officers by law, as well as critical guidance on conflicts of interest, confidentiality, powers exercised by the Board of Directors, guidelines for communications, and legal protections available to Directors and Officers.
Never Another Dull Breakout Session
Joe Pettit, New Leaf Leadership
Content is a main player at every SNA annual conference. But how will it be taught so attendees will love it and talk about it for days and months to come? Will the presenter do activities? Will they be engaging? Will they tell stories? No matter if it's HACCP, state policies, leadership, or customer service, there is always an opportunity to "spice it up".
This session will provide attendees with do's and don'ts for presenters, examine facilitator best practices, and receive an easy-to-follow checklist for their next conference. If the content is king, attendees will leave this session as SNA royalty as they help turn breakout sessions into unforgettable moments.
- Identify breakout session facilitator best practices
- Create a training prep blueprint for future breakout session presenters
- Discuss ways to help presenters deliver engaging content despite the topic
The Leadership Spotlight
Nichole Taylor, SNA of Pennsylvania Membership Service & Nominating Director, and Jessica Gould, RD, SNS, SNA Public Policy & Legislative Committee Chair
As you grow in your leadership roles the spotlight can get hot. Come explore leadership stereotypes and norms, and learn how to shine in the spotlight
Creating Successful Board Meetings
Mary Alice Oldfield, PRP, President of Kentucky Association of Parliamentarians
Parliamentary procedures are the rules and ethics for working together in groups. Participants in this session will review the standard order of business and other related concepts that provide a basic knowledge for creating professional and successful meetings. Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised In Brief, Third Edition, provides the foundation for this workshop. Attendees will experience underlying principles by participating in selected scenarios. It is recommended that participants bring a copy of the book to the session. (Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised in Brief, Third Edition: September 2020)
Friday, April 28, 2:00 pm—2:45 pm
Board Orientation 101: Strategies to Train Your New Leaders
Jennifer Martin, MBA, CAE, New York SNA Executive Director
Orientation can be many things for the board member: an initiation to board service; an introduction to the organization, its mission, and programs; clarification of future time and financial demands; an opportunity to get to know other board members; and a chance to form an educated foundation for the coming years of service on the board. Just as for any corporation, the board of directors of a nonprofit has three primary legal duties known as the “duty of care,” “duty of loyalty,” and “duty of obedience.” Join us as we thoughtfully provide Board members with the precise information they need on their role in the organization.
Creating Successful Board Meetings (REPEATED)
Mary Alice Oldfield, PRP, Immediate Past President of Kentucky Association of Parliamentarians
Parliamentary procedures are the rules and ethics for working together in groups. Participants in this session will review the standard order of business and other related concepts that provide a basic knowledge for creating professional and successful meetings. Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised In Brief, Third Edition, provides the foundation for this workshop. Attendees will experience underlying principles by participating in selected scenarios. It is recommended that participants bring a copy of the book to the session. (Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised in Brief, Third Edition: September 2020)
Shared Leadership: How to Let Go and Trust Those Around You
Stefanie Giannini, SNS, Illinois SNA Vice President
Do you feel the weight on your shoulders? Do feel that you have to have all the answers and make all the decisions? Do you feel like you're carrying the weight of your team on your back? Did you ever stop to think that maybe you feel like that because of how you choose to lead your team? It doesn't have to all fall on you! In fact, the traditional hierarchy in a team or organization can be very ineffective. It is time to practice shared leadership! Learn how to share the responsibility with others on your team to ease the burden on yourself, create efficiencies, and empower those around you as they grown into their own!
DEIA Session
Speaker TBD
Friday, April 28, 4:15 pm—5:00 pm
Keys to Being a Great Association Leader
Craig Weidel, SNA of Arizona Executive Director
Imagine what it would be like to possess the top three attributes of the most successful association leaders in the world. Join Craig as he helps you to eliminate the fears and frustrations of leading a state-level SNA association. With a little practice, you too will be able to lead your association by implementing these attributes to make your year(s) in association leadership fun, productive, and stress-free.
Membership Marketing Session
Alan Chewning, Senior Manager of Membership & Chapter Relations, Association of Change Management Professionals
The Power of Empowerment
Linda Martin, Wyoming SNA Legislative Chair
Leadership comes in many forms. In this session, we will touch on a variety of these styles while focusing on the coaching style. Have you ever met someone who you felt had gifts they don’t see in themselves? Often, we find that people deny the talents they have been given. As leaders, we can help others realize their potential through encouragement, opportunities, and support. We will look at personality traits and how these characteristics can be homed in our organizations whether this is a kitchen, district, or state association. I will share some tips and tricks that I hope will assist you in bringing out the best in those around you.
Treasurer’s Tools for Managing Your Association Finances
Kristan Delle, SNA of Pennsylvania Treasurer, and Brandon Monk, SNA of Pennsylvania Executive Director
Come learn new tools and techniques for managing the financial processes in your organization. This session will show you how to collaborate within your leadership team to find and utilize current, sustainable, and efficient methods for financial management that will leave your board with an active and engaged role in the fiscal health of your association.
Session 4 TBD
Saturday, April 29, 9:45 am—10:30 am
Are We Having Fun Yet?
Brian Haney, CLTC, CFS, CFBS, MDRT, CAE, Haney Company
The true impact of the pandemic is still being felt across the landscape of our Nation, as we collectively adjust to a life that's not entirely "back to normal." The negative effects have been especially pronounced on networking and membership organizations that are struggling to get members re-engaged. While some have had successes, many more have been stymied by member absence both online and in-person, low event turnouts, and general reluctance to reengage. Volunteer leaders are growing increasingly frustrated and concerned about their chapter's future.
While addressing all of the psychological issues at play may not be possible, you CAN give your membership a jumpstart! Maybe the missing ingredient is....HUMOR! Yes, that's right, having good old-fashioned fun.
In this session, I will lay out several key ingredients to your member engagement strategy that may help you give your membership the jolt it needs. I'll share the high-level psychology tools you can use, all the way down to some granular strategies for functional outreach and engagement. We'll laugh, probably cry, and all walk away with a renewed sense of hope and purpose...and be armed with some fresh material to turn those frowns upside down!
Leader: Leading Where You Are
Stefani Giannini, SNS, Illinois SNA Vice President
Contrary to popular belief, a leader is not a job title, a salary, a hierarchical position, or the amount of power one has. To lead is to influence and we influence others and ourselves every single day without even realizing! Unfortunately, too many individuals are placed in traditional leadership or management roles without building their leader identity first. The good news? You can start building your leader identity from exactly where you are now. Join Stefanie as she discusses how to cultivate your leader identity to positively influence yourself and those around you; identify your own personal motivations and goals to better understand those who might be both the same and different as you!
Present with Confidence
Scott Little, SNA of Michigan Executive Director
We all want to effectively express our ideas, represent our organizations, and develop our people. Doing all of these successfully is more likely if we are comfortable with public speaking. If we don’t work to be better speakers, it may also hinder our ability to grow as leaders. You’re not alone, though, if this isn’t your favorite thing to do! Many people aren’t comfortable speaking in front of groups, but it’s often difficult to find opportunities to practice and improve. Learn techniques and basic steps to grow your confidence as a speaker to a variety of audiences.
Session TBD
The “Hear from Your Peers” sessions will provide a forum for attendees to share successful practices and knowledge from their state or national leadership experience. You will walk away with strategies for better collaboration while establishing relationships that will transcend the conference.
Friday, April 28, 1:15 pm—1:45 pm
- Future Leaders—Future Leaders Alumni Panel—TBD
Past and present Future Leaders will share how the program impacted them and the success of their leadership journeys.
- Experienced Leaders - Our Executive Director is Leaving. Now what?—Courtney Fitzsimmons, MA, RD, SNS, Indiana SNA President-elect, and Lindsey Hill, RD, SNS, Director of Nutrition Services for South Madison Community Schools
Learn from one association’s experiences going from part-time Association Coordinator to full-time Executive Director and staff, to position vacancy as the long-time ED moved on to a new opportunity. When an ED leaves, you are faced with disappointment, which turns to challenge, which can lead to opportunity! Our Executive Board formed an ad-hoc committee and created a methodical approach to seeking the right fit for long-term growth. As we continue to meet our goals of growing the quality and quantity of services to members, we balanced that by ensuring we created a budget to support a necessary growing staff. Our approach to hiring identified and remained focused on filling our most pressing needs and requirements for both present needs and future growth of our Executive Board and our membership. We’re excited to share our story so others can benefit from our experience!
- Presiding Leaders—TBD
Saturday, April 29, 10:45 am—11:15 am
- Future Leaders—Leadership Exercise TBD
- Experienced Leaders - What’s Your Plan? —Brandon Durio, CEC, Colorado SNA President-elect, and Sarah Blaida, RDN, SNS, Colorado SNA Vice President
- Presiding Leaders— Strengthening Your Association Through Change—Steve Abbott, Kentucky SNA President-elect, and Leah Feagin, Kentucky SNA President
KSNA will present several operational, structural, and functional changes made to strengthen the organization and ensure its successful future. This session will provide details about how KSNA's Board, Executive Board, Industry Partners, and members have worked together to implement strategies that keep the association moving forward, even in challenging times! This session will be interactive as we ask other association leaders to share details of operational changes they have made or intend to make that could be beneficial to all associations and members.
Thank you to our generous NLC conference sponsors and Gem Club members.* Sponsorship support is vital to SNA’s efforts to provide valuable educational sessions, top-notch speakers and to ensure a meaningful and memorable event for all attendees.
Contact Nita Artis, Senior Corporate Sales Specialist, Industry Success & Patron Program, for more details on NLC sponsorships.
NLC Conference Sponsors
NLC Gem Club Sponsors
Diamond Club
Ruby Club
Rich Products
Pearl Club
Domino’s Smart Slice
J & J Snack Foods Corp.
SFSPac Food Safety & Sanitation System
Traulsen, a division of ITW/FEG
Vulcan, a division of ITW/FEG
Winston Foodservice
For sponsorship opportunities, please email Nita Artis, Senior Corporate Sales, Industry Success & Patron Program, at nartis@schoolnutrition.org.
Future Meetings
| Location | Dates |
|---|---|
| Louisville, KY | April 27-29, 2023 |
| Seattle, WA | April 25-27, 2024 |