* * * * *

"I agree with everything you said, Freddie. Especially this--I love the location--the employees at the hotel were especially accommodating. And the conference was the best one I have ever attended--no kidding and I've been around a long time!!"

- Billie Jordan, Advantage Resumes and Career Services

* * * * *

"I just returned from Savannah last night. As the plane inched toward home, I began to process all that I had absorbed and experienced thanks to the collective wisdom, kindness, and generosity of those that had gathered for this year’s CDI Conference.

Thank you Laura, Chris, and all for your tireless efforts in orchestrating a most successful conference, for securing speakers who spoke to the core of our businesses, for the planning that went into the program; for bringing together the resources, vendors, talent, and teamwork. A special thank you to the CDI volunteers who gave so freely of their time and to the members for all the spirited conversations in the hallways, on breaks, or over lunches. And finally, for the courageous conversations, sharing your personal stories, ideas that make a difference, and for new friendships forged. I am grateful.

As my plane touched down in New York City, I felt like one of the Yankees returning home after a championship World Series. Thank you, thank you!"

- Cheryl Milmoe, Career Management Solutions

* * * * *

"It was fantastic seeing my 'professional family.' It was SO nice to connect with everyone at the conference. It was wonderful to finally meet some of you from other organizations who have joined CDI! I enjoyed meeting and connecting with every single one of you. So many to mention, but really, every single one of you. Is that not the very best part of any conference?

I think we have such a great group, and as someone else mentioned, it is starting to feel more like a reunion. I'm thinking it should be called a RETREAT. My version of retreat is: it is a treat to meet annually and learn and share our experiences, knowledge, and love for our industry with each other. It is great to get together with like-minded, forward-thinking, cutting-edge career professionals and capture some synergy and energy to fuel us for another year, as well as incorporate our new knowledge into our businesses to benefit ourselves and our clients.

Here is the Merriam-Webster definition of retreat: (I particularly like the keywords I highlighted)

1 a (1) : an act or process of withdrawing especially from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable (2) : the process of receding from a position or state attained <the retreat of a glacier> b (1) : the usually forced withdrawal of troops from an enemy or from an advanced position (2) : a signal for retreating c (1) : a signal given by bugle at the beginning of a military flag-lowering ceremony (2) : a military flag-lowering ceremony

2: a place of privacy or safety : refuge

3: a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction under a director.

Speaking of director. Laura DeCarlo, thank you for the opportunity you give us to meet, withdraw (from our routine), and receive instruction in a 'safe' environment (I had to steal that from Pat Schuler) that allows us to grow professionally and fosters enhanced communication and connection. I'm so honored to rub shoulders with all of you 'best of the best.' Thank you also for giving us the opportunity to compete in the various award programs. BIG CONGRATULATIONS to all the award winners!

Can't wait to help plan for San Diego! See you there!"

- Camille Roberts, CC Career Services

* * * * *

"Thank you for yet another wonderful CDI conference. I am in awe of your talent to pull off an amazing conference rich with speakers, full of camaraderie and a wonderful experience for all. This conference also provided an opportunity for some of the members of the CPG team to see first hand and absorb the great talent and forward thinking experts in our industry. Oh yes, our crew had a lot of fun in Savannah enjoying the conference, some fine restaurants, pubs, and boutiques. We even caravanned to Tybee Island and enjoyed a wonderful seafood buffet. and then wandered down to the beach so our landlocked guests could stick their feet in the sand. We created memories together that even further bonded our friendships. I know I speak from everyone who attended from CPG and wish to personally thank you."

- Barbara A. Adams, CareerPro Global, Inc.

* * * * *

Why Industry Professionals Will Attend in 2011

Listen to long-time attendees and industry leaders tell you why you can't miss this Summit!

Read why 2011 registrants plan to attend and why they think you should too:

“No one asked me to do this, I just believe very strongly in conference attendance, and the more of you who attend, the better the experience.

For those of you who are "on the fence" or not sure if you can or should go, PLEASE consider these points:

1) By breaking the payment up into small amounts you CAN afford it.

2) The amount per month is only a FRACTION of what you charge for just one resume.

3) You constantly advise your clients to improve their skills and "invest in themselves" through a better resume, better education & training, etc. Shouldn't YOU do the same?

4) The mere fact that you are now committing to go will make you more CONFIDENT in your value to your clients and result in more sales,

5) You work hard & you OWE IT TO YOURSELF to go,

and finally,

6) Don't worry about the hotel & airfare, you have MONTHS to get that together, so....

JUST DO IT!"

- Grant Cooper, CARW, Strategic Resumes

* * * * *
 

“No one asked me to write this note to my fellow CDI members. I volunteered because everyone should know about my CDI conference experience.  

One of the things I look at every year when planning out my budget is the return on investment (ROI) I expect to get out of the conferences and professional development that I plan to attend.  Am I going to meet enough potential clients at the event or meeting that will make up for my registration fees ten-fold? Or will I learn something that will enhance my ability to do my job on behalf of my clients?

Last year was my first CDI Career Empowerment Summit. I was, for a normally outgoing person, feeling rather intimidated about going to a conference that had so many esteemed and well-established writers. Was I going to learn something new? I was confident that I would. 

But what I walked away with last year in San Diego during our annual conference was so much more than that. MY ROI from CDI was not only knowledge and insights that absolutely added more skills and knowledge on how to do my job, but the connections and RESOURCES that I made through the connections truly did add weight to the ROI from my conference registration.  Everyone welcomed me with open arms and it was like ‘old home week’ in a very comfortable, easy-going way… never mind that many people attending have books out or are regarded as key industry influencers.

My advice: You can’t sit there and debate the cost of attending, because if you look at it this way, it will always seem painful. But what does matter is the investment you are making into yourself. It’s your business. Your future. The tools that each attendee gains from attending a CDI conference are not measurable… what you earn from attending continues to build your business beyond your wildest dreams and cements friendships and connections with industry leaders in ways you can’t achieve if you stay home.

If you are literally on the fence about attending CDI, my advice to you is: Book it. You won’t regret it, and you’ll have not only a great opportunity to make lasting connections and learn the newest trends, but also the chance to build your career industry support group.

If you haven’t checked it out or signed up yet, go to www.careerdirectors.com/conv_2011.htm to learn more.

I look forward to meeting you in Savannah!"

- Dawn Rasmussen, CTP, CMP, Pathfinder Writing and Career Services

* * * * *

“Dawn's email made me realize I may have a little different perspective on the CDI Summit, that of exhibitor. In the decades of my career, I've survived many conferences as attendee and as vendor.  If you've been an exhibitor you know that not all conferences are "created equal".  It's always a roll of the dice whether your investment in the conference will end in the plus column or the minus column.  

There's also the question of whether the attendees are serious or just looking for free trinkets and t-shirts. SO I have to tell you how surprised and pleased I was by the attendees at CDI Summit. They were warm, intelligent, serious in their search for ways to improve both their services and their business. I found that almost uniformly, those who invested in the Summit came expecting to invest further in their businesses and seeking resources that enabled them to do so.

Many attendees stopped by my booth as a result of the excellent design of the space. I loved the depth and breadth of the questions they wanted to explore and their openness to different viewpoints. I felt welcomed instead of disdained, as is sometimes the case for vendors. 

In short, if you have a product or service that addresses this market, or the market these great professionals serve, you should find this an excellent investment for your business development resources. Last time, I saw a factor of 5-fold ROI on my investment and I made great connections and alliances that are still very warm and important to me and will continue to be for many years.”

- Pat Schuler,  www.kickbuttsalestraining.com

* * * * *

“As a member of CDI since its roots as PRWRA (I went to the first PRWRA conference in Atlanta 9 years ago), I can’t say enough about the value of going to conferences. I would not be a resume writer today without the support and help of folks who will be at the conference this year. Much of my business success has come from attending the CDI conference – from referrals through networking and from the ideas I have learned in the presentations.

Even though we get to chat a bit on these email forums, there is nothing better than to see each other face to face – and network at the conference. CDI is unique in having everyone together in one room with great camaraderie. I have been to the other career conferences – I try to make each organization’s every other year – except for CDI’s which I have attended each year for the last 4 years (I missed a few earlier than that when I was not in my own business). I think this conference will be the 6th or 7th CDI conference I will be attending. CDI offers more networking for me than other conferences – and I think of that as one of its strengths. This year is special, since it is in one of my favorite cities, Savannah – and I most likely will be going early to visit a good friend of mine prior to the conference.

I am on the Meeting Planning committee this year – and have had some input in helping to find speakers for the conference (since I have a network in Georgia). I am excited about the speakers selected for the conference – some experts who have spoken at previous career conferences offering updated and fresh information with the perspective of years in the business – along with many new experts not seen before at our conferences (where even I will be learning many new things!).

Shally Steckerl is the leading expert in using Social Media in recruiting – he previously was on the LinkedIn advisory board, he is SourceCon (biggest recruiters conference in the US) and is the recognized leading expert in sourcing by using Social Media. His session at CDI’s conference will be on how job seekers can use the same social media tools and techniques he uses to find candidates to easily find employers and opportunities – very unique strategies! Dr. David E. Altig is the Federal Reserve’s expert in how the economy affects the employment outlook (extremely important considering the daily headlines in the news for the past few months). I have heard both speak – and they both give information filled presentations – which I think will give us a new perspective on our businesses and the employment field.

I am looking forward to hearing some speakers for the first time. Martin Yate will be giving the welcome address at the conference (I read and used his “Knock ‘em Dead” books to get jobs before even before becoming a resume writer). We also will have a panel from some of the top job seeker websites in the country, including Indeed, CareerCast, Monster, Startwire and RileyGuide.

I have been honored, as the Director for Awards, to be selected to be on a panel myself on “World-Class Resume Writing Secrets: Insider Tips from Award-Winning Resume Writers & Competition Judges.” I will be joining past winners and judges, including Sharon Williams, Barbara Safini, Jeri Hird Dutcher, Laura Labovich and Susan Guarneri. We are currently selecting topics to discuss which will give you the insider tips on how you can submit entries that give you a better chance at winning the TORI™ (Toast of the Resume Industry) Award – and be recognized as one of the top resume writers in the industry. You will only get these tips if you attend the conference.

Other favorites of mine are also speaking at the conference:

Barbara Adams, who started me in this business (Thanks Barbara – I will ALWAYS be grateful for your guidance and support for many years) will be presenting on Federal and Military Transition resumes. I view her knowledge as the top in the business (she has recently co-authored a couple of books that are fabulous) – and I will be finishing up my Master Federal Career Coach (MFCC) credential from her this year.

Susan Guarneri – my roomie at the conference – will also be presenting fabulous information. With Laura DeCarlo, she will be presenting on The Bullet Train to Job Search Success: Best in Class Online Identity Model – which is becoming more critical day by day with all the recent stories on how social media can hurt a job seeker from getting a job. Laura and Susan also will be on a second panel, Magic Bullet to Six-Figure Success: Strategies in Packaging & Pricing, with other leaders in the industry I have enormous respect for (and have all advanced my career and business enormously through consultation, presentations and referrals): Don Orlando, Janice Worthington and Pat Schuler. 

There is more – a lot more being presented at the conference – but these are a few of the highlights as I see them.

I hope to increase MY networking opportunities by seeing everyone from CDI at the conference.

Hoping to see you in Savannah.”

- Robin Schlinger, CARW, CFRW, CPRW, CECC, JCTC, FederalResumePros

* * * * *

"After reading comments from Dawn Rasmussen and Pat Schuler, I thought I’d chime in to share in the excitement of this year’s Career Directors Summit conference in Savannah, Georgia. This will be my 4th year attending and I am just as excited for this year’s events as I was for my first conference in 2008.

Now that I’m (almost) seasoned in CDI conferences, I continue to anticipate the conferences and the opportunity to grow relationships, develop affiliations, and listen to the top experts in our field. Every year I take away several nuggets that I can immediately put to use in my business, that more than pay for the cost of the conference. To me it is an investment (and a fun mini-vacation) that I can’t afford to miss.

For those who have never attended the CDI conference, it is a great way to meet and listen to experts present their knowledge on all areas of the careers industry and building our businesses. Any nervousness you may feel about meeting many of the industry’s true leaders, will quickly fade when you meet these genuine professionals from all over the U.S., Canada and beyond. They are fun, warm, and enjoy sharing their extensive knowledge and experience.

I have roomed with different attendees almost every year and have had a great time with all of my roomies. Even if I’ve only talked with them on the phone, it is easy to share a room with someone who has so much in common with you. Plus, you are hardly in the room because there is so much to do at the conference and in the evenings. Finally, it is fun and it is a chance for me to get a glimpse of a new city and check out the sights. I can’t wait for dinner at Paula Deen’s restaurant!!! Hope to see you there!"

- Kris Plantrich, CCMC, CPRW, CEIP, ResumeWonders Writing and Career Coaching Services

* * * * *

"We have all had this type of call from a prospect. Someone who begrudgingly, finally, is looking for a resume writer to help them with their resume, often after looking for work a year or longer. They didn’t have the foresight or gumption to invest in themselves before it became a crisis, and now they "really can’t afford" to pay, so are shopping around for the best "discount" they can negotiate, happy to get any free advice along the way – hey they think, "I still may be able to tweak the resume myself."

You talk to them and see the pattern. Continuing education? Nope.

Industry Organizations? None. Certifications? Nada. Never investing in themselves, they are left with a stalled career, little advancement, no network, and no ROI for the modern employer.

Are you THAT PERSON? Are you still waiting until you have that "good business year," "save enough money," or "have the time" before you invest in yourself and your business by going to a CDI conference? We advise our clients on proactive career management, and that advice serves us well also. I earn my conference investment back in multiples every year I attend – and I have been going since my first year in business in 2008 – when I had to pay full price because I signed up after the early-bird pricing expired.

Join me at this year’s conference and let’s learn innovations that will grow our business, acquire concepts that will contribute to our economic future, and develop lasting friendships with peers that understand the joys and challenges of being a career-industry professional. Don’t wait another year. Don’t be THAT PERSON."

- August Cohen, CMRW, NCRW, CPRW, www.gethiredstayhired.com

* * * * *

Read what prior CDI conference attendees are saying:

2010 - San Diego, California

- Watch Video Testimonials -

- Read Written Testimonials -

Don Orlando of The McLean Group 

"The 2010 Career Directors International meeting in San Diego was terrific.

It included needed educational topics. And Laura DeCarlo did a top-shelf professional job of threading the needle and sewing up conference details. The buzz I heard: 'Great conference. Strong ROI on my time and money.' "

- Joyce Lain Kennedy, Syndicated Columnist, Tribune Media Services;

   author of Job Interviews For Dummies, Resumes For Dummies, and

   Cover Letters For Dummies

* * * * *

"Wow. Thank you to all who attended and helped behind the scenes. Thanks to the new friends I made and to the old ones for putting up with me).

* * * * *

* * * * *

- Ellie Vargo, Noteworthy Resume & Career Services, LLC

* * * * *

"Thanks so much for delivering such an incredible conference. I learned so much, met so many new colleagues, and hopefully made a few friends as well. Never having gone to a CDI conference before, I didn't anticipate how helpful and collegial the participants would be. I think, actually, that the inherent friendliness of the crew was enhanced by Laura Labovich's terrific networking presentation--it gave us all an opportunity to meet and a construct within which to introduce ourselves.

I know my new to-do list will have me busy well through winter, but I'm really glad that I have the information, skills, and techniques to build my business and amplify my offerings."

- Amy L. Adler, Inscribe / Express

* * * * *

"The conference was such a smashing success! Laura DeCarlo's presentation on Saturday (Move Your Website to Social Web 2.0 With Free Tools) was one of the highlights for me. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and learned enough to keep me busy changing things up for a good while. It doesn’t get any better than that!"

- Jeri Hird Dutcher, Workwrite Career Coaching and Resumes

* * * * *

"Thanks for a wonderful conference…a fabulous success. CDI’s conference stands out for offering sessions with new material no matter what level in the industry you are in. By having sessions with forward-looking new material – current and future facing – we have all gained valuable information for the future."

- Robin Schlinger, FederalResumePros

* * * * *

"I would like to totally echo Robin's comments regarding the CDI Conference. Well worth the investment. Beautiful facilities and great networking opportunities! So much learned through informative presentations. Totally professional in every way. And let's not forget - a lot of fun and fun people!

I know my business will become substantially better having attended the conference.

You are a real winner in my book!"

- David Smith, Career Success Made Easy

* * * * *

"I thought the conference was worth every penny. Laura, her staff, the hotel staff and volunteers all did a fabulous job. I walked away with several ideas to improve my business and met several new colleagues. It's always great to learn from others and to get new ideas to help us move forward. All of the presentations were beneficial, and I learned something valuable from each speaker.

This afternoon I shared some information with my client about federal jobs from Barbara Adams' presentation which got special attention from my client.

So, a BIG THANK YOU for an outstanding conference!"

- Marilyn A. Feldstein, Career Choices Unlimited, Inc.

* * * * *

"The Summit was amazing and so were all of the sessions. Thank you for the time that you managed to offer me further insight with regard to the options available to help me grow my business. Saying good-bye to corporate is not going to be very difficult at all. Thank you so much for a fantastic 2 days!"

- Tina Kashlak, Resume Writer's Ink, LLC

* * * * *

"The conference was incredible. You and your staff did an amazing job in putting it all together. All the sessions were timely and informative.

I walked away with valuable tools that I can immediately put to work in my business. Thank you so much!"

- Cheryl Ann Harland, Resumes By Design

* * * * *

"I want to applaud Laura and her tireless team on a wonderful summit. I have attended all of the CDI conferences and this continues as a wonderful and valuable experience. 

I loved the facility (spacious and comfy suites), program, and extras. As always, I walked away with a notebook full of tips and suggestions I plan on implementing.

Thanks Laura and I’m looking forward to a trip West in 2010."

- Freddie Cheek, Cheek and Associates

* * * * *

"You did a truly amazing job with the conference! I am beyond happy that I attended. I can't wait to implement all the ideas running around my head."

- Laurie Berenson, Sterling Career Concepts

* * * * *

"I thought I would add a ‘vendor prospective’ on the Summit.

What a wonderful gift to have a conference offer vendors the opportunity to participate in the conference programs, as more times than not, we are placed in another room. It is wonderful that CDI recognizes the fact that we are also entrepreneurs in need of guidance as we build our business’.

Thank you to CDI for a wonderful conference and the honor of being the 2009 Career Innovator Award recipient.

I will definitely see you next year!"

- Val Matta, CareerShift, LLC

* * * * *

"I wanted to tell you that I took something away from every session and was thrilled to return home with a huge to do list of new ideas to implement. Everyone I talked to thought the conference was fantastic, so congratulations."

- Barbara Safani, Career Solvers

* * * * *

NOTE: Camille could not attend due to last-minute family emergency but had comments to share that were worth posting based on past conferences:

"It looks it was another fabulous conference. After attending the conference last year, I had no doubts at all. For those who have attended the CDI conferences, you already know they are more than a ‘summit’ or a conference. They are like a luxury vacation for the soul, yet total mind stimulation…because of the effort Laura and her team puts forth. It is really a special time when we can get together, support each other, learn, grow, recharge, renew friendships, make new friends, and continue to further our great industry doing what we love.

I’m raising my glass as a toast to all of you great people! I’m proud to be associated with all of you. I really missed seeing all of you and hope to see you next year!"

- Camille Carboneau Roberts, CC Career Services

* * * * *

"The BAD Things About the CDI Summit:

Now that everyone has heard the raves about the conference, I thought I should provide the negatives so you will have a balanced viewpoint. If you are planning to go next year, be prepared for the following:

1. Increased workload: You will have so many new tools and ideas for additional revenue streams to put in place for your business, you will certainly make more money and sales when you get home. Are you prepared to give up your free time to work harder? Your relaxing days will be over.

2. Sleep depravation: If you like getting a full night's sleep, don't attend a CDI conference. You will feel compelled to stay up all hours of the night laughing, having fun, and learning about your colleagues. And don't think you can sleep in to catch up, because you will be afraid you will miss out on more conversation and the hot bacon and eggs waiting for you. Did I mention food?

3. Weight gain: No matter how much will power you think you have, it will be hard to resist the giant cookies, brownies, great restaurants, and pina coladas with cheese and fruit. It is pure evil, but don't say I didn't warn you. Strawberry daiquiri anyone?

On top of the above, you will now have so many new friends that you will have to call, email, twitter about, follow on Facebook, and have as resources to help you out when you need a shoulder - I swear it will never end.

Now that you have been warned, if you are still brave enough to go to CDI 2010, I'll save you a seat at my table. You're on your own with the brownies:-)."

- August Cohen, GetHiredStayHired.com

* * * * *

2008 - Seattle, Washington

"Thank you for the outstanding, over-the-top conference in Seattle. I am amazed at the meticulously planned details from the awesome speakers, fun vendor fair night, exceptional door prizes, the whacky “Duck Tour”, right down to the puzzles and items on the conference tables. I have never been to a conference that served so much food—wow…it was all yummy!

It was so nice to meet all the wonderful CDI members whose ‘names’ I have seen on the elist (nice to put faces with names). You also have an excellent staff. They really went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect.

I was a bit awestruck by the all the ‘industry career leaders’ I was sitting next to and in the same room with…we truly have an awesome camaraderie and compassion for each other, as well as a passion for the work we do for our clients.

As a first-time CDI conference attendee, I have to say that I hope to never miss another conference. It was well worth my time and money. There was something for everyone—from the new person in the industry to the veterans in the industry. I did not want to have to choose between presentations—they were all good! I learned so much from every single one!

The knowledge gained at this conference to give us a competitive edge in our industry is nothing short of amazing. I know that we and all of our clients will benefit from your vision and the information that was presented. In fact, I have been trying to come up with a way to write about the return on investment, but it truly is immeasurable for me.

Attending the CDI conference was definitely worthwhile. I could name so many other reasons, but seriously, thank you to you and your staff. I cannot wait to attend the next one!"

- Camille Carboneau Roberts CC Career Services

* * * * *

"Thanks for making my first CDI conference a great experience. I was impressed with the many members I met, the information presented and the incredible quality of the whole event. So many opportunities, ideas and ways to develop my business came from this. I can’t wait to hear what comes forward for the next conference.

From a satisfied and happy member of CDI, thanks again to the organizing committee who made this event possible. I am hoping I can lend a hand and become involved more with CDI."

- Karen Smith-Hanney, Destiny Career Planners

* * * * *

"Wow! I am so invigorated and feel so blessed to have met such a great group of professionals. Thank you for a great convention. My cheeks were hurting on the plane from smiling so much!"

- Anita Radosevich, Career Ladders

* * * * *

"CDI has, once again, done an excellent job with conference! It is amazing how these conferences seem to get better and better year after year; regarding the program! Every seminar was indeed full of new and interesting information that I can and will use. Everyone is willing to share what they know in order to help you better yourself, as well as your business. The one statement that seemed to keep coming up over and over again from first-time attendees was: Wow, I can't believe how friendly this group is and so willing to share!

...And this is why CDI is DIFFERENT and BETTER than any other organization!!!!! Need anyone say more!!!! Because our director cares about the members and is ALWAYS willing to go above and beyond to make US happy; help US cut costs, form alliances, and, of course, EMPOWER US, in order to help US succeed to reach our goals! Thank you, Laura, for thinking of US, the CDI Members!"

- Nona Pratz, Types Write

* * * * *

“Thanks for the great venue and opportunity to present my product to the attendees. I am thrilled to have met each of them and look forward to many more conversations. Easily the most worthwhile event I have attended in some time.”

- Richard Baum, Palo Verde Resources, LLC

* * * * *

"Nice work on the conference! Thanks for making every detail so outstanding. I possess more career and personal branding bling than most TGI Friday's people. I may not take off my name tag for awhile. Thanks for bringing in the heavy hitters from Washington's most prolific companies. For them to endorse the career people, resume writers and outplacement professionals like us really impressed me. It's funny how they totally get what we do and our uncommon value. For you to bring that to us first hand was a total highlight. Pike Street Market, Shawn Mullins at the Moore, my meetings with great colleagues, Seattle, the smell of caffeine and your recognition of everyone made this whole event world class."

– John O’Connor, Career Pro Inc.

* * * * *

"I firmly believe that Conference 2008 is the single best thing I have done for my business to date. I’m really fired up about the impact it’s had on me and I feel challenged to engage members who have never been to one. I’ll contribute whatever I can to make the next one an equally great, or greater, personal and business investment for attendees."

- Susan Easton Competitive Edge Career Services (CECS)

* * * * *

“As usual, you did a wonderful job … all of the little details that you did out of the kindness-of-your-heart to make the conference special – from the Branding Labels to the CDI Vendor Fair and countless other things. I was simply astonished to receive a personal follow up call regarding the conference – that just shows the level of dedication and caring about the members (and the industry as a whole) by your taking the extra time to do that, instead of just plugging along on your other immediate projects.”

- Darlene M. Dassy, BBA, CMRW, CARW Dynamic Résumé Solutions

* * * * *

"Thank you for your warm welcome to this worthwhile event. It met all the criteria of a good conference:

• promoted networking among colleagues
• offered opportunities to learn & grow
• supported member feelings of self-worth
• encouraged "out-of-the-box" thinking & behavior
• not a marketing expo disguised as a conference.

I have recommended CDI to colleagues who are not yet affiliated with CDI. Mot of all, I would like to thank all of you for the warm and welcoming environment. I confess to feeling a bit of NIMBYism - I hope we can keep the cozy atmosphere as our heroic group grows in numbers."

- Karen P. Katz, M.Ed., CCM, Career Acceleration Network (CAN), LLC

* * * * *

2007 - San Antonio, Texas

"As for the conference, the thing I always love about your events is that they are edgy. Not only did I walk away with some golden nuggets of information, but the CDI presentations are always thought provoking and they foster healthy debate…to video resume or not to video resume…that is the question!!! Also, because it was a very intimate setting, I got to chat at length with people I didn’t know very well before the conference and I’m already thinking about ways to partner with a number of people that I met. Thanks again for everything, and once again, you produced an outstanding conference. I can’t wait to see what you have planned for Seattle!"

- Barbara Safani, Career Solvers

* * * * *

"The laughter, great conversations and developing relationships were wonderful treasures that I took away and will continue to reflect on. CDI’s vision for a conference that allowed us to learn, connect and have a whole lot of fun was most certainly actualized. I want to thank you for your attention to all of the details that made our experience unique and most of all for your ongoing dedication and commitment to the industry.”

- Heather Wieshlow, Turning Point Coaching and Consulting

* * * * *

"I thought the conference had a really great balance of fun and structure. From my theatre background, I really appreciated some of the more interactive elements, such as the table topic lunch, networking game, etc. I think the the ice breakers were fabulous from the get go of the badges with stickers. I started getting into a spirit of fun - selecting what I wanted to put on my badge. It was great!"

- Michael Kranes, Resume Slayer

* * * * *

"Going to the conference opened my eyes to the resources CDI offered, which led to my membership. After going through the mentoring program and soaking up CDI's resources, my Web traffic is up, revenue is up, efficiency up, and my frustration level is down. Now, if I could just improve my tennis game...I would be a happy girl. Actually I have more time for the courts...so there is hope for me yet."

- Tamara Dowling, ResumesByGeorge.com

* * * * *

Since last week's San Antonio conference, I find myself up and at ''em each morning with exciting new ideas of how to move JobRockit to the next level! I truly believe that the people I connected with at this conference will create a turning point in my life! It's hard to explain, but there's one thing I have learned *for certain* in this industry: we do not get to the Top ... alone.

It is a good thing that this is not the conference that I chose to sit out on because of financial reasons, or any other reasons. It would have caused me to miss once-in-a-lifetime opportunities!

Onward!

- Sharon Williams, M.Ed., CPRW, JobRockit

* * * * *

I have attended previous CDI conferences in Atlanta, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, and Orlando that were great, but the conference in San Antonio was the best!

The speakers were top notch, and I learned enough to more than pay for the cost of attending. Also, the attendees were 100% caring, sharing & fun!

I was particularly impressed with the work CDI did in preparing the Mega Trends report. Nona Pratz deserves special praise as she devoted so much time despite the fact that she is from the New Orleans area and will continue to be dealing with the aftermath of Katrina for years to come.

I’m making my plans for Seattle!

- Grant Cooper, C.A.R.W., Strategic Résumés

* * * * *

Ditto! What an incredible time at such a beautiful hotel, located in close proximity to the River Walk. More importantly was the wealth of information from very accomplished associates. All very practical workshops, all very informative. Good choice of workshops. Yes, CDI has
pulled it off with aplomb, and has further equipped us and empowered us as resume writers and career development specialists.

- Judy Ware, Resumes for Careers

* * * * *

In short, WoW! They did it again....CDI, of course. What a wonderful conference, wonderful hotel, and wonderful food. I learned so much, as usual, and thoroughly enjoyed networking and visiting good friends and meeting new ones.

- Nona Pratz, Types Write

* * * * *

2006 - Orlando, Florida

"Dear Colleagues and all the new friends I was fortunate enough to have made at the conference, I wanted to let all of you who didn't attend know how much you all missed. It was without question one of the two or three best conferences I have ever attended. From the wonderful no holding back camaraderie, to the generous sharing of information on new technology, resume products/styles, how to sell and how much for, and the exchange of intellectual property, it was just nothing short of great!!!!!!!!!!.

There wasn't one speaker from whom this jaded old pro didn't learn something, and I am truly grateful to all the presenters, so if I leave out your name, forgive me (Don). I am already adding new revenue streams to my business and doing my new expanded Internet job searching coaching session on Tuesday for the fist time (Thanks Barbara)...as Jack Chapman would say KA CHING (resume speak for money). I picked up some great new resume styles and product tips from Tracy and Louise, and sales tips from Wendy Weiss. Since these are the areas I count as my "key" strengths I feel I received an unexpected bonus.

Already paid to go to next years conference in San Antonio and took advantage of the conference early bird discount. SINCE I KNOW I AM GOING FOR SURE, WHY NOT SAVE A FEW DOLLARS!

Laura.....my deepest appreciation and respect for your dedication and efforts and to the team that assisted you. I can truly empathize with the amount of work and time, and planning that went into this (I didn't get paid for this empathy Jack)."

  - Marty Weitzman, Gilbert Resumes

* * * * *

"This year's conference was the BEST. It was so refreshing to hear presentations on new topics and revenue generators. YES, I am raising my prices again! Don't you just LOVE it!!!

Best of all, I was able to meet new people and see old friends who are never afraid to share their wealth of knowledge. I am hosting a resume meeting this coming Friday for a group of Michigan and Ohio writers / coaches and I can't wait to tell them about the conference benefits. Sharon Pierce-Williams - you better be there!

Thanks to Laura and her great team for a job well done."

  - Deb James, Leading Edge Resumes

* * * * *

"As we 'age' in our business we sometimes feel we know it all (or at least all we need to know) so conferences become more about renewal, refreshment, and catching up with friends rather than new learning.

But at this year's CDI conference I took at least one golden nugget from every single presentation, and I'm ready to start doing a few things differently... to better serve my clients AND earn more for my expertise.

It was great to meet new people as well as connect with old friends - what a great group of people! See you all next year in San Antonio."

  - Louise Kursmark, MRW, CPRW, JCTC, CEIP, CCM, Best Impression Career Services, Inc

* * * * *

"Ditto to all Marty said! I'm so excited about using all I learned. Folks, you get an immediate ROI by attending one of these conferences. Start putting aside some bucks so you can afford to go next year. It's definitely worth it."

  - Ellen Mulqueen, A FutureLink

* * * * *

"Barbara Safani is a wizard when it comes to networking! Wendy Weiss taught me a few new techniques that will make us more effective this coming year. What can be said of Ric Lanham except "He nailed it." I never tire of learning from Jack Chapman and who knew he could play the drums so well?

Freddie Cheek and Ellen Mulqueen know more about working with those with special needs than I ever imagined. I find it really interesting how Louise Kursmark just gets smarter and smarter every year. She too taught me some "new tricks" we will apply this year.

I really enjoyed seeing all 7 Laura Decarlos (I KNOW there must be at least 7 of her because she does the work of at least 7 normal human beings) Laura deserves an award for making our conference so worthwhile and interesting.

I look forward to seeing you all in San Antonio next year. It's so nice to know so many nice people!"

  - Don Skipper, Career Beginnings, Inc.

* * * * *

"Ditto to everyone! Lisa and I thoroughly enjoyed the CDI conference and came away with a bundle of good ideas to implement within our writing and sales team. It never ceases to amaze me how much camaraderie and expertise there is within our industry. Thank you so much to all the presenters.

I always enjoyed seeing my old friends and making new acquaintances within the industry. All I can say is what an amazing group of people.

Laura, you and your team are truly amazing and we can't thank you enough for all your hard work. We definitely plan to go to next years conference in San Antonio."

  - Barbara Adams, CareerPro Global Inc.

* * * * *

"I'm so excited! My supplemental 'Great Idea Book' from Laura is on my desk. I decided to try just two of the new ideas the first opportunity I had (Of course, I'll implement more ideas ASAP, including getting in touch with my accountability partners ) So, while doing my best to catch up on client contact from my absence and following up on some promises made to several colleagues from the conference -- and not finished yet --- (if you're on my list), I took a call from a job seeking prospect. Well, both new ideas from my Great Idea Book were used with this prospect and sure enough, this new client will be here on Thursday for a fee based consultation. I also did a "ball park" quote on her resume, based on the second idea in my Great Idea Book and I provided my highest price quote ever :-) Because of the wording of how my fees are structured, thanks to one presenter, the prospect quickly agreed it was a fair investment.

I'm eager to have more opportunities to use more suggestions and can't wait to share results after my appointment on Thursday."

  - Jane Roqueplot, JaneCo's Sensible Solutions

* * * * *

"As a first-time attendee, I was very impressed with the organization of the event, and I especially enjoyed meeting so many professionals in the resume writing world. I made some new friends, and learned many new things to add to my business. It was also great to meet Louise and Arnold in person, as I have resumes that will be published in their upcoming books. What a treat!

Thank you Laura for taking care of all the details, especially making sure I was well fed. I truly appreciate your sensitivity and all the hard work you put into making this a wonderful conference."

  - Marilyn Feldstein, Career Choices Unlimited

* * * * *

"It is exciting to be in my office today implementing new ideas, contacting new CDI members, and thanking everyone for moving us to the next level in not only our businesses, but in our hearts!

When attending conferences, I always set three goals. For this conference, the goals were to (1) find writers for the new launch of a virtual career center www.JobRockit.com (so far ... Ellen Mulqueen., Freddie Cheek., and Cory Edwards), (2) determine how to set up the website regarding numerous writers (thank you!, Louise Kursmark!!), and (3) learn new revenue streams (Barbara Safani, Jack Chapman, Louise Kursmark, Marty Weitzman ... on and on!!)

But, what I take away MOST from this conference ... the gracious hearts of Jane Roqueplot and Barbara Adams. Josh Groban has a great song called, 'You Raise Me Up' ... When goals are set for future conferences, I will make sure that one is set to "make a difference in someone's life" rather than all goals pointed toward myself!

As "Make a Difference Day" approaches Saturday, October 28, I think of Don Skipper's group as they move forward with the CCTC program ... lest we forget Cordell Tjaden who made an impression on everyone! Don, we are looking forward to seeing you on OPRAH! My family was touched by the good hearts of CDI members.

Oprah speaks of many things being 'in the details.' The Orlando conference was all about "the details." Way to go, Laura and committees, for creating a fun-filled, rewarding conference that moves us all to another level business-wise and heart-wise!!!"

  - Sharon Williams, The Resume.Doc

* * * * *

"I ditto everything everyone has said. For those of you who say it's too expensive or you can't afford it, coming from Katrinaville I said the same thing. But...you can work it out. I spent $800.00...which included everything... the conference, hotel room (I roomed with 3 other ladies - yeah guys it worked out well, our "networking" continued after our all-day networking), the luau, meals, some books, plane fare, and transportation to and from the airport! You can be on a tight budget and still enjoy yourself!

The friendship and sharing was excellent. The group we had was ready to share anything you wanted or needed to know. The seminars were excellent! And, of course, Laura had every detail covered. As we sat munching on M&Ms while waiting for a session to start, I mentioned to our table the group that if I know Laura, there is something written on the M&Ms. They laughed....well, guess who got the prize for knowing what was on the M&Ms!!!!! Chris (Laura's husband), does she ever sleep??? She made sure every last detail was perfect. Table toys???? What a great idea!! But the sessions were packed with so much information, we had to stay during the break to play with them.

Thank you Laura for such a wonderful time. It was great to see all of you again. Thank you all for your friendship and knowledge that you shared. I look forward to seeing all of you again in San Antonio next year!"

  - Nona Pratz, Types Write

* * * * *

"Colleagues, how can I top the fine words said by Ellen, Don, Marty, Malloy, Louise, Judy, Ric, and Barbara? First, one goes to these conferences to learn and network. That happened in gallons of gold, because Laura, Kate, Chris, and the gang all provided such a nice venue with all the accouterments of home. I got to finally meet in person the ladies of the Research Committee, Carrie and Nona. By the way, Carrie, you have such lovely children! That was a thrill, because we have been communicating on the telephone almost every month for about a year.

Also, Grant deserves a special kudo for dressing in a tux. Naturally, the two stories about Katrina from Nona and Grant made a deep impression. It is the people who helped them who deserve special thanks as well. I am glad both these treasured members are able to get back on their feet again. Having gone through two earthquakes, I can somewhat empathize with their concerns.

One presentation after another from Thursday morning on moved so quickly, and one wanted more time on each one. The Luau was particularly gratifying, because so much camaraderie was expressed. I will never forget the conversations with Susan Guarneri at the table topics about blogging and personal branding.

Today in our first-year seminar we talked about the importance of memory in college and related SAVE (Selectivity-Association-Visualization-Effort) CRIB (Concentration-Recitation-Interest-Big and Little Pictures) FOTO (Feedback-Organization-Time on Task-Ongoing Review). In most examples I used my well-spent time in Orlando to explain to the students how important it is to remember people's names and something about them. Sharon Pierce-Williams and Laura, yes, we even talked about lunch reviews and their etiquette. You can see I could have networked for another week. It is hard to get back to the classroom after meeting so many friends and new friends who have so much to offer.

The time flew by!"

  - Jay Christensen, CECC, CFRW, California State University, Northridge

* * * * *

2005 - Las Vegas, Nevada

“So much fun, so much great information, and such wonderful camaraderie!

Yesterday - my first day back - I immediately sold 2 new service offerings that will bring me $200 pure profit at no expenditure of time. I proposed about $500 of additional (new) services to a top executive client, and I'm confident this is just the start of something wonderful (for them and for me). And I'm revamping an upcoming workshop to include some of the great tips and tricks I learned - again, wonderful for my audience and fun for me.

It was great to meet new friends and reconnect with familiar faces. What a great group! I look forward to next year!”

  - Louise Kursmark, MRW, CPRW, JCTC, CEIP, CCM, Best Impression Career Services, Inc

* * * * *

"Spectacular, Informative, Enriching, Rejuvenating and Profitable are some of the words that come to mind following this great conference! As a regular attendee to some of the largest career conferences and events, I have never been to a conference with such high-quality sessions. I learned something from each presenter. I have 2-pages of immediate To-Dos and 4-pages of ideas to implement to provide better services and make more money. If you missed this conference, you'll want to make sure to make Conference 2006 in Orlando! You won't be disappointed!”

  - Cory Edwards, CRW, CFRW, CWPP, CECC, CCMC, Partnering for Success

* * * * *

"Wow! What can I say - the conference in Vegas was just awesome. This was a very special time for me, meeting people I'd met at the New Orleans conference plus lots of new people too. We all have so much to learn from each other. The presentations were fabulous and each one of us will have learned something to introduce into our business and for our clients. I met so many wonderful people and I thank them for sharing their 'secrets'. Thanks again to everyone for making this conference awe-inspiring."

  - Carolyn Broomfield, CRW, CEIC, First Place Resumes, Australia

* * * * *

“The speakers and content were fantastic. Kendall's opening 4-hour presentation started the conference off with a BANG !! What valuable marketing information!!! It only got better from there. The mix was wonderful - from an interactive panel discussion to an informative presentation by Aussie Carolyn Broomfield. WOW !! I'm really looking forward to 2006 in Orlando.”

  - Deborah S. James, CCMC, CPRW, Leading Edge Resumes & Career Services

* * * * *

“After attending Vegas this year, I can honestly say that I have rarely participated in a conference where the sessions were so worthwhile (and this was probably my 30th conference).

I have attended the CDI <PRWRA> conference for the past four years. Not only have I had a wonderful time but, more importantly, I have greatly benefited from each experience.

What have I gained?

• A lucrative relationship with a business for which I now subcontract.
• Information that I have used in materials I have written for publication.
• Invaluable tips on conducting my business.
• Visibility and networking with peers whose expertise I value.
• Ideas for presentations I have given.
• The best client management tip I have ever received and which I have passed along to almost everyone I know.
• A chance to meet colleagues whom I admire and very much wanted to share time with.
• Materials, including a resume critique program, that I use almost daily to make my job easier.
• Writing and grammar tips that I have shared with members of other associations.

And that's just a partial list.

Okay, I must admit I have had fun, too. The food has always been top notch and the accommodations have been superior. I have always felt a part of a bigger family of colleagues. I have even walked away each year with a suitcase full of door prizes and giveaways.

Congratulations to the whole conference team. I am already looking forward to Orlando in 2006.”  

  - Freddie Cheek, M.S. Ed., CCM, CPRW, CRW, CWDP, Cheek & Cristantello Career  

    Connections

* * * * *

“The conference was so stimulating, my head is bursting with ideas. Folks, start saving your pennies for next year. I think it was Grant who said, in an earlier email, that within a couple of months, he'll earn back the money he invested in the conference. That can be true of everyone. If you can put away just a little each week, you'll be able to afford conference costs without any burden.”

  - Ellen Mulqueen, MA, CRW, The Institute of Living

* * * * *

"The Las Vegas meeting was one of the very best and most informative I have had the pleasure to attend over the past three years.

I and my staff all learned much at this meeting. I personally formed two alliances and am working on a third alliance that I believe will handsomely reward all four of us.

It was also rewarding to learn new material and to be exposed to new ideas and ways of approaching problems. In addition to my alliances, I have returned with three implementable ideas that are being worked on at this writing.

Of course, as always, I had the wonderful opportunity to rekindle old friendships and to make a few new friends as well. Isn't that one of the heart, not head, reasons we attend these things anyway?

To all of those who did not attend, you REALLY missed some outstanding programs and ideas. See you in Orlando in October - 2006.”

  - Fred Coon, Chairman, CEO - Stewart, Cooper & Coon, Inc.

* * * * *

“Having attended conferences with four different career associations, I have to say, hands down, CDI <PRWRA> puts on the best show, from the awards to the food and content. It may not be the biggest, but I'm all for quality over quantity.

I recently entered my fifth year in business and I don't believe I could have made it this far without conference attendance. I learned a lot, and made some new friends along the way. I've never experienced a camaraderie in the workplace with colleagues as I have in this business, yet we compete for the same clients everyday.”

  - Susan Geary, 1st Rate Resumes, CMRW, CEIC, CPRW, CRW, 1st Rate Resumes

* * * * *

"How do we begin to say thank you for such a well-done job of organizing and running such an important conference! The food was so . . . good; the sessions were so . . .excellent. Especially, I value the time meeting long-time members and new members. Enthusiasm was contagious everywhere. The days went fast, and I was sorry when the conference ended.

The thanks just keep coming for you provided the inspiration. None of us will ever forget the Fremont Street Experience either."

  - Dr. G. Jay Christensen, PhD, CECC, CFRW, California State University, Northridge

* * * * *

“Fantastic conference and fantastic association. The dynamics of this organization is responsible for the really useful and fulfilling conference you presented. Sans politics, sans status seeking, I witnessed a group of folks sincerely interested in helping one another.”

  - Janice Worthington, MA, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, Worthington Career Services

* * * * *

“Here's just another take on what turned out to be a superb conference! As VP of International Relations I was pleased to have not one but two international speakers agree to present at our Las Vegas Conference! Audrey Fields and Carolyn Broomfield did an outstanding job bringing an international flavour and prospective through their presentations. This truly sets us apart and enriches our membership with a worldwide prospective.”

  - Nicole Miller, CRW, CCM, CECC, IJCTC, Milroy Consultants

* * * * *

“I had the opportunity to attend the conference this year and have to echo the sentiments that so many of you shared already. I was delighted! I have attended several conferences all of them being much larger and wasn't sure if the quality would be the same with a smaller group. What a wonderful surprise! The smaller group format was excellent because the speakers were really able to personalize the material and our burning questions were answered with insight and depth. This was a new experience for me and I found the information to be extremely valuable and have already started to use it with my clients.

Congratulations on putting on a great conference!”

  - Heather Wieshlow - Turning Point Coaching and Consulting

* * * * *

“I have been in the resume business for 16 years and this is the first conference I have attended. What a wonderful experience! I learned something - usually many things - from each session and every single member I had the privilege of meeting.

My sincere thanks to President Laura, an inspiring leader, who made this career-boosting experience possible. I will see you all in Orlando in 2006!”

  - Nancy Rosenberg, MBA, A2Z Resumes

* * * * *

“This was my first conference and I learned so much and I intend on putting new strategies to work immediately. It was really nice meeting everyone and I enjoy belonging to a genuine, supportive organization. I am supercharged and ready for action.”

  – Abby Locke, CRW, CFRW, Premier Writing Solutions

* * * * *

What do you have to say? Join us at our next conference to see for yourself what all the talk is about!

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