TSHA Annual Conventions

I just downloaded this app and there’s nowhere to create an account, only a login button. Waste of time.

1. Staggering schedule: The staggering schedule made it hard for us who went for as many “waking hours” sitting in the sessions trying to earn as many hours as we can. Example: We can’t claim for the second session that already started for 30 or 15 minutes earlier. The first session was for one hour, the second was for 1.5 hours. We lost One hour of CEU. 2. The plastic sleeves issue: The registration process was super easy; but when the plastic sleeves ran out due to the vender’s negligence, the one in charge of registration could have told the higher up, and make the announcement known via app feeder. Example: “We are aware of the problem. We apologize for the inconveniences. We are resolving the issue as soon as possible.” “Stop by the registration to get your plastic sleeve.” “ Come by FWCC registration to get your plastic sleeves.” My colleague got the plastic sleeve for me in the mid-morning (or so) and texted me about it. I didn’t see the sleeves at the registration stand until the end of Friday after 4:30? 5:00? because my sessions were either in Omni or upstairs of FWCC. By then, my “naked paper badge” was already bent in many ways and looking sad. This could have been announced through the app feed, which is so up to date in technology. 3. I wish the app could have ALERTED us that there are Ballrooms in Omni as well as FWCC. Thursday morning at 10:30, I spent 10 minutes walking around and around the FWCC to find the ballroom 5-8, only saw Ballrooms ABC at FWCC. Finally from a temporary FWCC worker who didn’t know much but guessed it could be at Omni. By the time I got to Omni, I couldn’t have claimed for the CEU either. I was 15 minutes late…. And I spent nearly $1000 to stay at Omni for 3 nights. That was my Day 1 of TSHA 24. I could have literally walked down stairs and earned the CEU. 4. The app technology was so up to date, it was what helped earn the 4 stars from me. I showed it to both of my sons, who are computer science majors and are in the work force. They are impressed!!! When they saw their mom’s presentation handouts in slides on the app, that made this “generation old” SLP Mom VERY PROUD of being an “up-to-date” Mom in technology. Thank you, for the ones who put the TSHA 24 convention together, after all. It must be a hard work.

First I enjoyed all the sessions I attended. The location was convenient however there was massive construction even at the convention. Next the traffic for those driving was horrific. There was construction everywhere. Please check on Arlington Convention Center central located with lots to do and many hotels close by. Next the cost: I am retired and the cost is outrageous. There are online sights that are a fraction of the cost. And that is what most SLPs are doing. Offering discounts the the school district with the most attending SLP. Use the SLPs in the area. I never received a call to serve as a greeter. The attendance for the conference is getting smaller and smaller each year. It’s because of the cost. And there are no benefits. You also start too early in the morning. Most conference have their first sessions at 10:00 am. We have come a long way need to rest and prepare prior to attending. There are no community groups of group activities to attend. Vendors are also dwindling? Only having them two days is costly. Why are they no longer here on Saturday. I want to attend sessions and get my money’s worth from the training the vendors need to be here early and later in the evening and longer on Saturday. I choose sessions over going to the vendors. But there were books being offered from speakers on Friday and no vendors and no way to buy the book immediately. What happen to the information station to ask questions about retired therapist. How can TSHA help us. Theses are just a few things on my mind.