Corrections_Today_March_April_2021_Vol.83_No.2

Sneak Peek

Glen Ward

of Correction, Aug. 12–17, 2021, in Nashville, Tennessee, will give you the com-

along with everything you’ve come to know and expect from ACA’s su- perb events. But this time, there was much, much more! While nurses, physicians, psy- chologists, dentists, and security staff earned highly valuable continuing education credits, the fully engag- ing plenaries tackled hot topics and arguably the most important issues facing corrections in the world today. Of course, everyone is still raving about the General Session that fea- tured the incomparable Sean Astin, actor/director best known for his film and television roles in “Stranger Things,” Netflix’s horror/thriller, Samwise Gamgee in “The Lord of the Rings” and the title character in “Rudy” and “The Goonies.” Mr. Astin shared honest, heartwarming candor about his life and the life of his famous mother, Patty Duke. The virtual conference’s Closing Session featured humorist Glen Ward who entertained us and gave us something inspirational to carry with us in this most challenging time. What was clearly a most unusu- ally wonderful feature of our 100% virtual conference was the Exhibit Hall. With dozens of exhibitors, spread out over number of different halls, there were endless opportuni- ties to meet, chat or schedule more meetings to … meet again. All of this for the sake of getting a closer look at the newest products and services that support our industry. The ulti- mate result is sure to be profitable for all. And what would an ACA conference be without our wonderful sponsors and exhibitors offering a chance to win great prizes. (The Cor- rections Today recap issue, arriving just in time for our 151 st Congress

plete award winners list along with their fabu- lous prizes.) Did you know that another great feature of our first virtual conference was that all paid attendees could view all conference workshops, plenaries, the General Session, the Closing Session and pretty much the whole kit and caboodle for 30 days after the conference officially ended? If you missed the official days of the conference, no problem, you could actually sign up, register and watch it for the first time or if you had already signed up, you could watch it again and again for 30 days with on demand access. You could visit an exhibitor in the Exhibit Hall, leave your virtual busi- ness card, and an exhibitor would reach out and get in touch with you. Now, more than ever, it is a given at ACA events that we remember those who have fallen. Our virtual conference featured the names for those, who during this pandemic- ridden year, gallantly served up until their last watch. Their lives will forever inspire us to do more and be more. Case in point, the virtual conference recognized two dynamic individuals who received two of ACA’s most prestigious honors, the ACA 2021 Medal of Valor and the 2021 Martin Luther King, Jr. Schol- arship Award. You will find out who Sean Astin

the individuals are in CT’s upcoming recap issue. Finally, just in case you didn’t notice, there was a changing of the guard at ACA. Gary Mohr — who selflessly, with placid strength, led us through the most challenging year our organization, our nation and our world has faced in modern times – ended his two-year term as president of ACA. Tony Parker received the gavel passed to him and became our new president and with him tak- ing the helm, President ushered in a whole newly elected leadership body. As you can see, there was a lot that took at theAmerican Correctional Association’s Virtual 2021 Winter Conference in February, but that’s enough for now. Look for the entire virtual conference recap in Corrections Today, which will be available just before our exciting Congress of Correc- tion in Nashville, August 12-17, 2021 (tentative dates; subject to change). You don’t want to miss an opportunity to learn more about what one attendee called “my first virtual conference that will never … ever ... be forgotten.”

Floyd Nelson is the director of Communications and Publications for the American Correctional Association.

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