All Staff Conference 2015 Wrap Up

Each year at Career Path Services, we take two days in the fall to come together and learn, relax, and reconnect. This year at our All Staff Conference, we managed to do all three at the same time in an environment that was filled with the three hallmarks of any Career Path Services event: food, fun, and fellowship.

The overall theme was ‘Mind, Body & Spirit’, developed by our WIOA teams in Spokane and the Tri-Cities. On the first day, we learned what it takes to raise our self-awareness to levels that make it possible for us to evaluate how we look at every day life.  Through a series of exercises, instructional videos, and informal discussions, everyone came away with a better understanding of how what we say and do affects us as well as those around us.

The second half of day one was filled with employer tours and dinner at area restaurants.  The employer tours ranged from the Northern Quest Casino and resort to Altek, a local injection molding and fabrication manufacturer.  Dinners at each area restaurant were limited to 8 individuals per eatery to give each person a better chance to connect with the others at their table.

The second day was a whirlwind of activities including a group photo, a discussion of our employer tours, finishing up the ‘Spirit’ portion of our theme, employee awards, and a group activity based on previous reservations.  While some enjoyed the body-stretching benefits of hot yoga, others enjoyed the palate-pleasing tastes of our local chocolate apothecary.

To say that these two are needed is quite the understatement.  In many cases, with our employees spanning the entire state of Washington, the conference is one of the few chances to meet and re-connect with other employees on a personal, face-to-face level.  From all the laughter, smiles, and emotions that we shared throughout the day, it was obvious that the time was spent and much was learned.

Thank you to our WIOA teams for working so hard to put on a successful conference, and we look forward to doing it again next year!