“Joy, collected over time, fuels resilience – ensuring we’ll have reservoirs of emotional strength when hard things do happen.”
– Brené Brown
About the Conference
Previous years have showcased the incredible resilience of our workforce, fueling capabilities to serve and overcome moments of hardship. A key feature of our work is adaptability - working flexibly with individuals from all walks of life to understand their needs. By using research-informed best practices to empower, strengthen, and innovate strategies to optimize individual health and well-being, our collective impact totals nearly $274 million annually.
Please join us for the 2023 UT Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Professional Development Conference to celebrate triumphs and unpack growth opportunities. By Creating Connections and Sharing Solutions, you will leave equipped with the inspiration to
- Innovate: Gather new programmatic ideas and practices to serve your communities and clientele;
- Learn: Capture historical and current perspectives on FCS research and education;
- Strategically Plan: Plan & implement FCS work strategically, working “smarter not harder”;
- Market: Systematically market FCS with newly created tools to break down FCS as the “best kept secret”;
- Network: Network with colleagues and top leaders across the state in fun and enriching sessions and activities;
- Grow: Gain interpersonal strategies to thrive personally and professionally.
Dates and Location
The conference will be held Tuesday, August 1, 2023, to Thursday, August 3, 2023.
Address
Hilton Nashville Airport
2200 Elm Hill Pike
Nashville, TN 37214
Location of Conference Activities
Floor 1 (Behind the Two Rivers Cafe Atrium Bar)
General Sessions Room: Cheekwood Ballroom
Breakout Rooms: Hermitage Ballroom A, B, & C
Floor 2 (Above the Lobby)
Breakout Room: Tennessee, Mississippi, Cumberland
Registration, Check-In, & Check-Out
Register for the conference by July 13th. Registration closes promptly at 5:00 pm EST. Conference arrival begins at 10:00 AM CST on August 1, 2023. The conference begins at 11:30 AM CST.
Hotel Check-In: 8/1 @ 4:00 PM CST (Early check-in may be available. Speak to the front desk.)
Hotel Check-Out: 8/3 @ 12:00 PM CST
Attendee Expectations
The FCS Professional Development Conference is mandatory for all exempt FCS extension employees. Therefore, some basic expectations of each attendee include:
- Be on time and stay until the end.
- Be present.
- Stow & silence electronics (unless used for note-taking or emergencies).
- Attend all events (including meals and social).
- Communicate to your supervisor or program leader about expected tardiness, early departures, or absences.
- Dress professionally; business casual
- Have FUN!
Conference Committee Members
The conference was designed and developed by the following committee members. We thank them for their time and contributions!
Committee Chair
Katie Conrad, Extension Specialist II
Committee Members
Rita Jackson (General Sessions Sub-Committee Chair), Extension Specialist I
Wendy Smith (Food & Facilities Sub-Committee Chair), Extension Assistant II
Justin Thomas (Breakout Sessions Sub-Committee Chair), Interim Eastern Region Director (Eastern)
Joel Clark (Technology Sub-Committee Chair), Extension Specialist I
Hilda Lytle, County Director & Extension Agent III
Lamanda Weston (Décor & Swag Sub-Committee Chair), Extension Agent II
Priscilla Gilliam, Extension Agent II
Belinda Riddle, Extension Agent III
Lisa Fuller (Social Sub-Committee Chair), Extension Specialist II
Marci Hethmon, Extension Specialist I
Ann Berry, Professor & Extension Specialist
Daniel Collins, 4-H Extension Specialist
Barb Metzger, Extension Specialist II
Clint Cummings, Extension Specialist II
Jo Carlson, Administrative Specialist III
Jennifer Ward, Extension Specialist II
Karen Franck, Extension Associate Professor
Matt Devereaux, Professor & Extension Specialist
Kinsey Hixson, County Director & Extension Agent I
