Dear first time attendees, 

On behalf of the Young Leaders Steering Committee, welcome to the YL program! We’re thrilled that you’re joining this exciting and fun group. It shows that you’re committed to being the best that you can be within the aggregates industry by learning more about industry operations and issues that affect our businesses, working on your personal leadership skills and growing your professional networks. It also means your company has identified you as someone to invest in. You deserve to be here.  If you’re anything like me, you are going to make connections who are not only beneficial to your career, but also become great friends. 

And you may be like me in another respect…it can be a little (or a lot) intimidating to attend an event for the first time, especially when you don’t know anyone else. Please know that you are not alone! We typically have 50-75 first time attendees at each meeting. Some of you may jump right in to the meet and greet, but some of you will skirt the wall. No worries, a few of us will find you there! 

Here are a few things we want you to know: 

• Select “Yes” on the registration question “Are you a first time attendee” to make sure we know who you are. 
• Attend the First Timers Orientation & Reception on Sunday, April 23. You’ll meet other first time attendees and learn more about the Young Leaders program. 
• When you build your agenda during registration, sign up for the First Timers Dine-around on Sunday, April 23. This is a special dinner event ONLY for first time attendees, hosted by the Young Leaders Steering Committee. Meet Steering Committee members and get to know your fellow new attendees. This event is included in your registration fee, so don’t miss it! 
• Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone! We are all here for the same reasons, and we have all been in your shoes as a first time attendee. 

I can’t wait to meet you in Fort Lauderdale. The Steering Committee and I hope to make this one of the best experiences of your work career. Please reach out to the NSSGA Meetings & Events team if you have any questions at meetings@nssga.org. 

 

Best regards, 

Ericka Baxter, YL Chair