VisionServe Alliance’s Focused on the Future 2024 Leadership Conference, April 14 – 17, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Our 2024 Focused on the Future Leadership Conference is being held at the InterContinental Hotel Kansas City, Missouri. Please bring members of your team to help chart the course for our field. Visit our registration site for more information on the conference, agenda, activities, hotel, and more. Registration is now closed, but we have a few spots left. Call (314) 257-0530 today if you want to attend.
Collaborative Conference Format – You and Your Team can help drive the Agenda!
Our previous Open Space conference in Atlanta demonstrated the power of this dynamic format. Open Space allows you to help set the conference agenda and engage in deep discussions throughout the day, each focused on a crucial issue or opportunity in our field.
The Open Space format is ideal for complex, strategic issues. VisionServe Alliance last used this format for our Atlanta conference and uses Open Space once every five years – to help chart the course for our field and support leaders in prioritizing strategic goals for years to come. Open Space expands participation, maximizes team building, and offers invaluable networking opportunities with 300+ leaders expected to attend. Your voice is crucial to these discussions so register today!
Our Incredible Keynote – Jane Wei-Skillern
And here’s more great news: our 2024 featured keynote speaker, Jane Wei-Skillern wrote the book on non-profit network leadership! A Senior Fellow at the Center for Social Sector Leadership at the Haas School of Business at University of California, Berkeley, Jane Wei-Skellern has served on the faculty at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Harvard Business School, and London Business School. You won’t want to miss her insights on her crucial area of focus: building network leadership by building strategic networks beyond organizational boundaries.
Apply for the CleanLogic Assistive Technology Grant – Deadline is March 8th
Member Leaders Discuss the Open Space Conference format
VisionServe Alliance uses the Open Space conference format every 5 years to inform strategic plans for the field – so we used it last for our Atlanta conference. You don’t want to miss this unique opportunity this April to come together to address the most crucial opportunities and issues in the BVI community.
Networking Leadership Panel Discussion
In addition to the keynote presentation, Jane will lead an interactive workshop on the principles of Networking Leadership. A panel discussion will follow, with these VisionServe Alliance member leaders sharing how they most effectively use the principles of networking leadership: • Craig Meador, President, American Printing House for the Blind • Kyle Johnson, President and CEO, Lighthouse Central Florida/Lighthouse Works • Courtney Plotner, President and CEO, Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired South Carolina, and • Jeanie Farmer, COO, Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired South Carolina
What’s so Unique about the Open Space format
Bring your team and take advantage of these discounted group rates
Register 3-5 members of your team and enjoy a 10% discount – and receive a 15% discount for 6 or more attendees. Important: if your team prefers to register individually, please email us at info@visionservealliance.org and we will adjust your group discount once everyone completes their registrations.
Enjoy opportunities to visit with exhibitors and explore all that Kansas City offers. The conference venue is the InterContinental Hotel Kansas City, steps away from the Country Club Plaza shopping center. Rooms are available in the group room block at a discounted rate of $189/night. Find the link to reserve your hotel by visiting the registration website.
2024 Annual Award Winners have been announced and will be commemorated at the conference. Read the Press Release.Learn more about the awards, criteria, nominations and winners.
Why attend a VisionServe Alliance conference?
Hear directly from Past conference attendees.
“Each time I attend, I gain knowledge and insight from leaders in our field, which ultimately will allow Xavier Society to better serve our patrons. As important, this collective of organizations is working as one, to educate the many stakeholders in our field, and influence policy and legislation for the benefit of blind and visually impaired people in the U.S. and Canada. It is always an honor to represent Xavier Society and our patrons at this event, and to be a member of this organization.”
Malachy Fallon, Executive Director Xavier Society for the Blind
“I am a strong believer in the value of partnerships and collaborations. Attending the VSA conferences has been a great way to find partners and collaborators, learn new information to be a better administrator and steal good ideas from colleagues around the country. Bring along your executive team for even greater impact!”
Nancy D. Miller, Executive Director/CEO VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
“I appreciated attending conference sessions on leadership development, including practical applications such as creating a culture that fosters innovation; a session on the importance of research to gather data on those we serve to help demonstrate where we can have impact; and tips for effective advocacy and influencing public policy. The networking opportunities helped me connect with CEOs new to the field and I brought ideas and resources back to my organization that will help propel us forward.”
George Abbott, President and CEO The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
“As a relatively new executive director of an organization that serves the VI community, my membership in the VisionServe Alliance has been helpful and supportive. Last year was my first VSA annual conference, and I learned a great deal while I was there, and have continued to engage with the professionals I met. I am excited to be going back this year to deepen my knowledge, and my relationships.”
Join SOAG Workshops and Webinars. SOAG addresses important issues impacting VisionServe Alliance Member organizations with annual operating expenses of $2M or less.
