Organization Development Network

OD Network Conference 2010
Recovery, Revitalization, Response:
New Orleans

New Orleans Marriott
555 Canal Street
New Orleans, Louisiana

October 17-20, 2010
Pre conference workshops Oct.15-16
Post-conference workshops Oct. 20-21

Early Bird Date Extended to Sept. 7th!

Free Book to the first 225 who register at the Early Bird rate. Get a copy of keynote Chris Rabb's new book, Invisible Capital: How Unseen Forces Shape Entrepreneurial Opportunity

Message from Peter Norlin, Executive Director

Dear Colleagues:

As we continue to move through yet another cycle of nature’s seasons and economic uncertainties, I’m very pleased to invite you to join us at OD Network’s Conference 2010, a predictably special place where we can gather as a community of colleagues, appreciate one another’s good work, share lessons learned, and prepare ourselves to “kick it up a notch” professionally, as Emeril Legasse, one of NOLA’s star chefs often says.  And this year, we feel very fortunate to be gathering in New Orleans, since there are few folks who have as much to tell us about adaptive change and courageous leadership as do the citizens of the Big Easy.

The themes of Conference 2010—recovery, revitalization, and response—are especially resonant in Louisiana, and you’ll see that we plan to honor the pain, frustration, courage, and optimism that surround NOLA’s ongoing experience both by listening to local stories and also by highlighting these themes in our collective, global Conference conversations.  When you look through this guide to Conference 2010, I hope you’ll find much here to trigger your curiosity and your enthusiasm, and I hope you’ll feel a magnetic pull to join us in Louisiana in October.  We’re looking forward to great food, great music, and great conversations with great colleagues—and that, we hope, includes you!  See you in NOLA!

Peter F. Norlin, Ph.D.
Executive Director

Reasons to Attend Conference 2010

In a world that seems increasingly virtual, sometimes there is just no substitute for face-to-face interaction and engagement. That's what the Conference 2010 experience is all about. 

Join us in the vibrant, gritty, lively, stubborn, music- and food-loving, and just plain fun city of New Orleans—a fitting backdrop for OD’s most intensive and substantive conference.  Here's what you'll come away with:

INSIGHT into the true nature of organizations and illuminating examples to apply to your work. Sessions are led by celebrated authors, effective pracitioners, respected academics, and other thought leaders who offer the newest and best ideas for successfully meeting the most difficult challenges in today’s global marketplace.

INSPIRATION from powerful presentations and diverse practitioners who will stimulate your own thinking and invigorate your practice. Our keynote speakers challenge you to learn from the best in other fields; Master Class sessions by seasoned OD veterans offer lessons from their experience.

TOOLS and strategies that expand your competencies and enhance your performance. Prepare for today’s—and tomorrow’s—challenges by learning practical skills and cutting edge practices you can put to immediate use. And conference attendees value the opportunity to meet and talk with sponsors and exhibitors who support and serve the field.

TARGETED LEARNING through a program of more than 60 learning sessions that offer proven practices and case examples shared by those who know what works. Choose the content that is most relevant to your practice or that will help you hone particular skill sets.

CONNECTION with old friends and new colleagues.  Build relationships with colleagues from across North America and around the world, expand your network, and immerse yourself in the global OD community.

ENGAGEMENT that contributes to advancing the field of OD. Come early, stay late, and share in important conversations that will have a lasting impact not only on your own body of knowledge, but also the field of OD. And while you are at it, plan to come early and participate in pre-conference volunteer programs that contribute to the New Orleans community.

Finally, the value and variety of Conference 2010 are the best this field has to offer; our program has no peer. The schedule is packed with learning opportunities morning to night, when you add add Pre- and Post-Conference Workshops, early registration savings, and hotel and airlines discounts—a value-added package simply too good to ignore. Return to work relaxed, rejuvenated, and with a fresh outlook. Indulge your sense of play; gain a renewed sense of enthusiasm about meeting your professional challenges. As they say in NOLA, "Laissez les bons temps rouler!"

Hear from these organizations:

What Attendees Say about Conference 2009

“Most liked- hearing thought leaders share their thinking, meeting other OD practitioners & understanding what they do & how they approach their work.” - Sakun Ganason

“The conference was amazing! It was my first and every session was informative, had practical tool and provided something of great value. The networking was invaluable. Absolutely Gold.” - Rochelle Arnold-Simmons

“This was a very rich program that offered so many options for learning and connection.” - Pamela Skyrme

“As a new OD professional and first time attendee this conference provided me outstanding knowledge, tool, resources and networking opportunities with authentic change agents. Will be back next year.” - Diana Ramirez

“This was very well organized with rich diversity of topics, techniques, theory, case studies, conversation, self-reflection, recognition.” - Anne Davis

“A great conference that met all my expectations and more. Thank you very much.” - Istan Z. Babinszky

“As a first time attendee, found the conference interesting and valuable whereby practical tools/sessions were provided and I feel like I can walk out and apply learning’s starting tomorrow.” - Kurt Eggimann

“I enjoyed the sponsor spotlights! Great Idea!” - John Britt

“I loved the keynotes. I appreciated small sessions focused on learning and connecting.” - Jennifer Lyman

“I like this conference because of its unique and friendly atmosphere…” - Eunice Onuki