If you’re like me, the last month has been one filled with some much-needed positive changes – older family members getting vaccinated, restaurants reopening, and children’s activities slowly starting up again. As President Elect, the primarily role for me this year is leading a team of government and commercial members on the Annual Conference Host Committee in planning the 2022 CSMFO Conference. While we don’t yet know exactly what format the 2022 conference will follow and what COVID-related restrictions might remain in place, we are planning for an in-person event in San Diego to be held at the Town and Country Resort. The resort has recently completed a $70 million remodel with a mid-century modern feel, and by all accounts it looks amazing. Check it out at towncountry.com.

The Host Committee members are discussing options for the format for the conference and to what extent a virtual component can be offered for those who are unable to attend in person or may still be uncomfortable with large in-person events. We are hopeful that 11 months from now things will look very different than they do today but are mindful that the conference may still need to look different from what we are used to from years past.

In the month ahead, the Host Committee will be touring the hotel site and beginning to plan the structure of the conference, select a theme, and narrow down on ideas for our Thursday night event and keynote speakers. As is the case every year, we have representatives from our commercial member partners on the host committee who will be collaborating with the government members of the committee to develop meaningful opportunities for connections with conference exhibitors in the exhibit hall and other settings. Our conference exhibitors provide much of the revenue that make our conference possible, and they have my thanks for their continued commitment to CSMFO. The Program Committee will also soon begin their hard work to deliver valuable and timely educational content at the conference. I have no doubt that 2022 will again be a conference packed full of informative educational content. They also have my thanks for consistently making CSMFO’s conferences the preeminent opportunity for training in our profession.

Look for more information in the CSMFO News in the months ahead about our 2022 conference. I am very much looking forward to reconnecting with colleagues and again experiencing some of the magic that has always made our CSMFO conferences so special. I will see you all in San Diego next February! Save the dates – February 16 – 18, 2022.