2024 ACA Nashville Program Book_154th Congress of Correction

Welcome to the 154 th Congress of Correction

I am so pleased to welcome you to Nashville, Tennessee for the 154 th Congress of Correction! Nashville is known as Music City, USA and when you are here for Congress, you will be right in the heart of it: Congress is being hosted at Music City Center. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is right next to Music City Center and just down the block, you’ll find the world-famous Ryman Auditorium, dubbed the “Mother Church of Country Music.” Just like Nashville represents the best of country music, this year’s Congress of Correction represents the best of the corrections profession. From the biggest and splashiest events at Congress to the smaller, one-of-a-kind professional development and networking opportunities, you’ll be immersed in the very best our profession has to offer.

WELCOME

Tennessee’s own Jelly Roll will be on our biggest stage. The talented musician and performer will share his journey with all our attendees during Friday’s General Session. On Thursday, Super Bowl-winning coach and premiere NASCAR team owner Joe Gibbs will talk about his Game Plan for Life Ministry. In addition to Coach Gibbs, Thursday features a Reentry Symposium that’s modeled on the highly successful Education in Corrections Symposium from the last conference. It promises to be a thorough look at all the aspects and challenges faced by corrections professionals who operate and interface with reentry programs. On the many smaller stages throughout Music City Center, our medley of corrections professionals are prepared to orchestrate remarkable workshop discussions and provide ample opportunities to network. Music City Center will also host ACA’s biggest exhibit hall to date. We’ve lined up a cornucopia of exhibitors who are looking forward to meeting you and discussing solutions to your most intractable problems, whether they are rooted in corrections, healthcare, staffing, or something else. This will not be the same exhibit hall you are used to. We’ve made a lot of changes that we promise will make this exhibit hall the easiest to navigate, the most informational, and the most fun. Finally, we are having our signature event, the E.R. Cass Awards Banquet, on Friday at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Please join us as the corrections family honors the immense contributions of Arthur Beeler and Doug Dretke. None of this would be possible without the fantastic efforts of our Nashville, Tennessee Host Committee. They have worked incredibly hard to make this the best experience possible. I am so appreciative of their amazing efforts and dedication! I hope to be able to meet and talk with as many corrections professionals as possible at Congress. I’ve learned so much from engaging with corrections professionals at past conferences and know I will be energized and informed after chatting with attendees from all over the world. While you’re at Congress, I encourage you to take this opportunity to expand your professional network and really get to know some corrections professionals who are far flung from your home turf. Once again, welcome to ACA’s 154 th Congress of Correction in Nashville, Tennessee. I hope all of you who have made the decision to attend this Congress will find this to be a valuable and enlightening experience.

Denise M. Robinson 108 th President American Correctional Association

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