Corrections_Today_September_October_2023_Vol.85_No.5

From Rob’s Desk NEWS&VIEWS

Winter Conference Approaches

F all is a gentle reminder that it's time to embrace the change of seasons, rekindle our motivation and get back to work with renewed enthusiasm. I want to express my gratitude to each of you for being a part of this wonderful association. Over the last month I have received countless emails, texts and phone calls welcoming me as the Executive Director of The American Correctional Association. The ACA staff have been work ing tirelessly since the conclusion of our 153 rd Congress of Correction in Philadelphia to organize a series of engaging opportunities and initia tives for the coming months. All are designed with you, our valued members, in mind, and we aim to provide you with valuable resources, networking opportunities and educa tional experiences. Your feedback and suggestions are instrumental in shaping our as sociation. The personal letter to our membership from President Denise Robinson has generated a significant number of responses with great input and observations. One of the highlights of our upcoming calendar is the Winter

Conference January 4 th through 7 th at National Harbor, Maryland. This conference promises to be an excep tional gathering of industry experts, thought leaders and passionate professionals. Conference materials recently went up on our website in cluding both conference registration and housing. In the first 24 hours, we had over 1,000 room nights booked so please don’t delay! I recently visited the Gaylord and met with their team charged with helping us prepare for your arrival. It’s an incredible venue. They have agreed to leave their holiday decora tions up for our conference. It is one of the holiday must sees in the D.C. metropolitan area and we are saving it for you! With three major airports and a major east coast train corridor serving the area, travel to National Harbor could not be easier. I want to thank our membership and the broader correctional profes sion for your interest in presenting at the Winter Conference. We have received over 125 proposals from across the spectrum of our profes sion. We assure you the workshops selected for the Winter Conference will represent the broadest cross

section of our work. We always strive to provide a conference experi ence that allows each member to see themselves and their work in the fabric of the American Correctional Association. I ask you to stay connected and watch for announcements in the coming days of the major events and activities we will be offering to you at the Winter Conference. It will be an incredible opportunity for us to connect, learn from one another and showcase our collective expertise. I encourage each and every one of you to mark your calendars and join us for this enriching event. Together, we have built an in clusive association that celebrates collaboration, growth and excel lence. I am honored to be a part of this community and to serve as your association's Executive Director as we continue to tell the “Story of Us”, the corrections professional. Thanks for all you do!

Robert L. Green ACA Executive Director

6 — September/October 2023 Corrections Today