What's Ahead: Day 3
The sun came back out for Day 2 of the 2018 National TSA Conference: A Celebration of Success at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta! Here's a look back at how the conference shined on Saturday, and what's ahead on Day 3.
What Happened Today?
“Innovation Waves: Past, Present, Future.” Todd Thibodeaux —president and CEO of CompTIA , the leading non-profit trade association for the global tech industry—delivered the keynote during the Opening General Session this morning. He said there hasn't been a press event in the past year during which he hasn't promoted the benefits of TSA. Thibodeaux also announced new efforts by CompTIA to increase the presence of TSA in schools across the country. And he challenged TSA members to share how they first became interested in tech, and why they may plan to pursue a career in tech to help fill the pipeline. Thibodeaux shared his own tech path, which led him to leading roles at the Consumer Electronics Association and CompTIA.
 “How TSA Can Unlock Your Potential.” He's a Harvard alum, but James Coleman, Jr. told attendees this afternoon during his interactive Leadership Speaker Session that it was as a TSA member that he received his most valuable education. Coleman also said he and his fellow former TSA chapter members all used their TSA experiences to build their futures. He asked attendees to learn from failure, be determined, and ask for help without hesitation.
 Today’s Special Interest Sessions covered trending topics from tech careers to robotic dance to the crypt(o) world:
  • Your Career as a Technologist by Victor Johnson, Johnson IT Consulting & CompTIA Future Leaders Community
  • Tech Jobs by Colleen Loeffler Phonwiang & Spencer Bone, CompTIA AITP
  • Learning the Lesson of the Chair by Eric Larson, IT Future Labs, Creating IT Futures
  • Robotic Dance and Storytelling by Robert Stokes
  • New High School Events 2019-2020 by Natalie Norman and Dale Moll
  • 21st Century Leader by Paul Cronin, Cronin Corp & Creating IT Futures BOD
  • Success in the Tech Economy by Brian Matzelle, CompTIA
  • Cyber Tales from the Crypt(o) World by Victor Johnson
 What's New Tomorrow?
The General Session II/Recognition Assembly begins at 9 a.m. in GWCC Exhibit Hall A-3 and shines a spotlight on campaign speeches, and the Super Star Awards.
 "Attaining Your Goals." At 2 p.m. in GWCC A-3, author and U.S. Army veteran Shannon Huffman Polson will draw on her distinguished career and share leadership strategies aligned with “Be. Know. Do.”—inspiring attendees to harness their inner strength, move beyond resistance, and attain goals. During this presentation, someone from the audience will be selected randomly for his or her chapter to be declared a “40th anniversary chapter.” Their national and state chapter membership will be free for the 2018–19 school year!
Special Interest Sessions From drones to STEM, a variety of topics will be covered tomorrow—all in GWCC A315:
12 p.m. | Set Your Sights High: Drones and Our Aerial Future | Douglas Spotted Eagle, Sundance Media Group & CompTIA Drone Advisory Council
1 p.m. | How do I get a Tech Career? | David Hyman, Center for Technology and Workforce Solutions
4 p.m. | Engaging ALL in STEM | Jerry Crabb & Brian Leftridge | U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)
From 1 to 5 p.m. at GWCC Hall A-1, network at the Meet and Greet as you interact with the national TSA officer candidates and shake hands with representatives from some leading technology companies, organizations, universities, and nonprofits.
Also on the Agenda Tomorrow:
8 a.m.–1 p.m.  TEAMS Semifinals, Various Westin
9 a.m. –5 p.m.  Information Desk Open, GWCC 403
11 a.m.             TSA Pin Exchange, Registration Hall A
11 a.m.–7 p.m. Competitive Events, Various Locations
11:30 a.m.        Advisor Update, GWCC 411
12 p.m.             LEAP HS Session
1:30 p.m.          LEAP Advisor Session
7–8:30 p.m.      TEAMS Awards Ceremony, GWCC A-3
6–9 p.m.           State Delegation Mtgs., Various Locations
10 p.m.             Curfew
See the 2018 National TSA Conference Program for complete information.
Thank you for joining us today at the 2018 National TSA Conference ! We look forward to bringing you the day's highlights and upcoming events in these emails. Be sure to share them with your chapter.