The AOA National Show is a large event, but not as large as many conventions that I have planned in my career. However, it has something that other conventions do not…animals. Adding animals to an event brings in a whole other set of challenges and a dynamic that often requires some creativity to manage. It also means traveling a lot of ground dealing with issues at the show. Most days, I have already walked nine miles by noon.
Change can be scary and difficult, but it doesn’t need to be. With a little foresight and planning, change can be an exciting thing! Just in the last year alone, I’ve become a first-time homeowner, I trained for my first 10K, I’ve gotten married, and I’ve adopted a cockatoo from…
My distaste of large crowds of people is just one part of my often conflicting personality. I say that because while I am often uncomfortable being among large crowds of people, I would gladly step in front of that same group to speak or provide a presentation. It seems strange I know, but presenting and speaking is something that I really enjoy. Those who know me well, understand that…
The task of preparing for a training clinic requires a great deal of time and effort but the result is such a satisfying accomplishment. It is a relief to begin the first day of the clinic because that means the first phase of prep work is finished and we are in the on-site clinic phase. While they are required, the judges also find these clinics very valuable and some even come more often than required. A few years ago there were judges flying in from all over the world to attend a halter clinic in Ohio. It was winter and the snow piles were taller than me! I was sure we would not get everyone to the venue (I absolutely remember pacing the day prior to the clinic). What a wonderful relief it was on the first day when everyone arrived! All twenty-seven flights landed on time! Whew! The rest was downhill!
First, let’s be clear about something; there is no shortage of people who have had some issue with a registration over the years. After more than 230,000 alpaca registrations and dealing with tens of thousands of different alpaca owners who are taking blood samples…
The desire to create is inherent in human nature. We crave the challenge and relish in development of a new idea or project. There are many reasons people create. Some do it for the intrinsic value they gain from creating something, some do it to benefit others, and some do it for personal gain and benefit, which is also okay…
Many of you have moved at some point in your life, and I am sure you enjoyed it very much. That is to say you enjoyed it as much as taking a full swing with your hammer, aiming for a nail, and coming straight down flattening your thumb like a pancake. It is always such a time consuming…
Right now there are many exciting things going on each and every week. However, because Andrea Harrington, our Conference Manager was in the Lincoln office this week, we spent a good deal of time discussing the National Show. This combined with the announcement of the location of the 2015 National Show…
