This week, I attended my second MILLSUMMIT in Wilmington, DE. The conference continues to evolve, as it’s been a leadership development staple in the community for eight years. This year, MILLSUMMIT packed everything into one robust day for the estimated 300 attendees.
A Welcoming Environment
Whenever I go to a conference, I always view the experience through the neuro-inclusive and ADHD-friendly meetings perspective. From early communications to conference layout and session details, the conference met so many needs.
MILLSUMMIT included:
- Quiet places to get away from the crowds
- Notepad and pen in the swag bag for fidgeting/doodling (or actually taking notes)
- Beverage variety – HOT (tea and coffee), COLD (water and smoothies) and CARBONATED
- Snacks throughout the sessions
- Email communication leading up to, and at, the event
The one thing that might need tweaking in the future is hosting the main sessions in a large open atrium. The audio output in this open space was difficult for many people. While volume didn’t seem to be the issue, the clarity varied by presentation (and the amount of sidebar conversations/competing noise were in the same space!). Those with sensory processing disorder may have struggled to focus or get the same value from some sessions.
Coaches Corner
While I know there were great speakers on the main stage and in breakout sessions, I spent most of the day in the Coaches Corner!
I joined a few peers in offering up 20-minute speed coaching sessions to conference participants who signed up throughout the day. The time would fly by with each conversation. There were “light bulb moments” and people feeling seen and heard on career topics they might not have discussed out loud until this point. The experience left me feeling excited about coaching and connecting with leaders as they navigate the corporate landscape.
Gamified
Who doesn’t love a little friendly competition? The conference app featured a point system for everything. From completing your bio to completing polls for speakers, to asking questions, and setting up meet-ups. In addition to providing a wealth of information on conference logistics, parking, and session details, it also had ways to engage with other attendees and presenters.
I’ll admit, I was very motivated to share info on other upcoming conferences, ask polling questions, share articles and more. I was pretty proud of owning that first place spot for a while, but alas, I finished the conference in the top five.
That’s a Wrap!
MILLSUMMIT was a successful event. I hope all attendees all felt the same way, especially if they visited the Coaches Corner. If you want to catch my reflections on other conferences, check out VU Women in Tech and Grace Hopper Celebration.
If you attended the conference virtually, you are invited to a special speed coaching day on August 12, 2024! Please sign up here.
