Go For The Greens Rises Above Hurricane Irma Challenges
The IPM and IPMAS executive team recently returned from a successful Go For the Greens Conference, one that almost didn’t happen. The original conference, which was to be the 10th anniversary conference, was schedule to take place in Orlando during the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.
“For a national conference, entirely organized by a volunteer board of directors, to have to be cancelled and rescheduled, creates a huge amount of difficulty for the planners, event team and even the attendees,” said Sheila McIlany, IPM CEO. “It was inspiring to watch the events come together for 2018 and to be part of a successful conference.”
While the conference provides education, inspiring stories, and various opportunities to network, the highlight of the week for most was the valuable business matchmaking sessions. “Go For the Greens has one of the most efficient and logical matchmaking process that I have ever participated in. Every year, we come away with opportunities and contacts that we would not have been exposed to without the conference. These opportunities are one of the driving factors behind our opening of our new Central Florida office,” said Steve Young, IPM COO.
The conference ended with the popular golf networking component, designed to increase the comfort of women to build their businesses outside of the boardroom. IPM again sponsored a golf hole and this year, McIlnay joined Susan Harper, Consulate General of Canada, and after losing the other two members of their group, were spotted driving the wrong way on the wrong golf course. The group does not want to brag, but they were awarded with the Most Fun Foursome. Unfortunately, Young was not successful in defending IPM’s win from last year, but a fun time was had by his group as well. A highlight of the day was an appearance by Lisa “Longball” Vlooswyk, last year’s LPGA long driving champion, who provided much needed and appreciated instructional tips to all of the groups throughout the tournament, after conducting an instructional clinic for those less experienced golfers.
It is not too early to start planning for the next Go For The Greens event, you can find the schedule at www.goforthegreens.org.