Although the holiday season is still ahead of us, we will soon be thinking about Spring and prospects for renewal, growth and development in the year ahead. As it is written, there is a time and season for everything under the sun. And now the season to begin preparing for the Spring meeting of the Business Law Section!
This year’s format will be virtual, as with the Annual meeting in September. We miss eating and drinking together, but this approach has its advantages, too. We had a record number of our members engaged in the Spring meeting, with about 4,400 attending vs. 1,600 at our last in-person meeting. Enhanced attendance translates into other benefits, including: (1) more impact for our CLE programs; (2) greater engagement in subcommittees and involvement of new members; and (3) new contacts to grow your professional network.
The Spring meeting (April 19-23, 2021) will offer regular CLE programming in 60- or 90-minute time slots from 9:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and 2:00-3:15 p.m. each day (Central Time). We will also have daily “showcase programs” scheduled from 12:15-1:45 p.m., which are designed to cover timely subject matter covered by high-profile speakers with a broad appeal across all segments of BLS membership. (By the way, Cyberspace colleagues Seaton Daly, John Rothchild, and John Isaza and their team had the highest-attended showcase program at the last meeting, reaching an audience of over 450 members. Great job, everyone!)
If you have an idea for a CLE program, please send in a proposal. We must receive your programming ideas by noon on Wednesday, November 18. At this stage, only limited information is required: (1) program chair’s name and contact information (address, email, and phone); (2) a working title; (3) a brief narrative description, and (4) three key takeaways that your program will deliver. Please submit these to me, Ed Morse (morse@creighton.edu) and to our chair, Cheryl Burtel (cburtzel@spencerfane.com). If you have questions, feel free to contact either of us.
We are happy to have new ideas from new members – we had several first-time participants with Annual Meeting programs, and we welcome more! These are excellent opportunities to showcase your learning and contribute to the professional mission of our Cyberspace Law Committee and the Business Law Section.