Title
Charting the Course
Join us in “Charting the Course” at the Illinois Extension Annual Conference as we move forward toward innovation and impact. Our conference sessions and activities will help staff navigate change as we continue to work with deliberate intention to meet the needs of Illinois residents and the communities we serve. Don’t miss this chance to be a part of the growth and resiliency of Illinois Extension.
Connect. Collaborate. Network.
Annual Conference is a great opportunity to connect, collaborate, and network with colleagues from across the state, participate in personal and professional development sessions, learn about exciting and innovative programs happening throughout Extension, and be inspired by amazing guest speakers.
Annual Conference 2024 Registration
This year's conference will take place at iHotel & Convention Center in Champaign. It will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 19, and will conclude at 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday, November 20. There will be optional pre-conference activities for staff to explore on Monday, November 18. We hope you will join us this year for a great time of networking and professional development!
If you are attending in-person for all or part of the conference, select the button for "In-Person Registration". The button below will register you to attend the conference and help us collect necessary information using our Extension Web Registration. Then you will go to Moodle to - Build your conference experience (choose sessions and activities) using the Learn @ Illinois Extension site. Log into Learn @ Illinois Extension using the "University of Illinois Staff Login". Once logged in, use this enrollment key to enroll in the conference space: EAC2024 and the follow the instructions. If you land on your dashboard after logging in, use the search field to search for "Extension Conference 2024" and that will get you to the enrollment page. Your selections can be changed at anytime.
If you are attending virtually for the ENTIRE conference, select the button for "Virtual Registration". Virtual attendance does not require a registration. Just log into Learn @ Illinois Extension using the button below. Use the "University of Illinois Staff Login" to sign in. Once logged, in use this enrollment key to enroll in the conference space: EAC2024 and the follow the instructions. If you land on your dashboard after logging in, use the search field to search for "Extension Conference 2024" and that will get you to the enrollment page.
How to create your conference experience:
What if I change my mind later and need to change virtual to in person or vice versa?
You can register for in person until it closes on October 30!
About Jenni
Jenni Steck is a licensed speech-language pathologist who specializes in voice and speech training through her private practice. She coaches individuals and corporate teams to improve their professional communication, helping them speak with confidence and clarity. Jenni has prepared speeches for a diverse range of clients, including corporate leaders, motivational speakers, and cultural icons like NFL linebacker Ray Lewis and MLB catcher Pudge Rodriguez for their Hall of Fame inductions. Her extensive experience as a voice, speech, and dialect coach in stage, film, and television includes working with actors such as James Woods and Alexander Skarsgard. Currently, Jenni serves as a vocal coach for anchors and reporters at major networks including CNN and ESPN. She holds degrees from Southern Methodist University, the University of California at San Diego, and the University of Texas at Dallas, and is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Along with her keynote presentation, Jenni will also be facilitating one of our breakout sessions.
Keynote Session - Mastering Physical Presence: Balancing Confidence, Warmth, and Effective Communication
As we are Charting the Course for bigger impact for Illinois Extension, we can use this method in all our work, to think about our intention before taking action. That small step back to check our direction before moving forward will help us plan out our course, plan the steps we will take, consider what is needed on the journey, and to act as point of reference about the way we communicate and the unconscious signals we send - verbal and nonverbal - indicate how interested we are in making a connection and building a relationship.
What are those signals? What are we doing with our words, bodies, and voices when we communicate, and how is that being interpreted by our audience? Are we being perceived in the way we want to be perceived?
We will approach communication as a system consisting of four main pillars: language, physicality, voice and speech, and intention (the thoughts and feelings behind our words). You will come away with a greater awareness of your habits and strategies for projecting a greater sense of engagement and connection.
Conference Schedule
11/18 Pre-Conference Activities
| 10 AM | Various meetings & activities throughout the day |
| 7-9 PM | Welcome Party |
11/19 Day 1
| 8:30-9:45 AM | Registration & Check-in - Ground Floor |
| 9:30-10:45 AM | Welcome & Keynote |
| 10:45-11 AM | Break |
| 11 AM-12:30 PM | Lunch & Words |
| 12:30-12:45 PM | Break |
| 12:45-1:30 PM | Breakout Session #1 |
| 1:30-3 PM | Poster Session & Break |
| 3-4 PM | Program Area Breakouts |
| 4:30-5:30 PM | Associations |
| 7-9 PM | Recognition Dinner - Invitation ONLY (Promotion Recipients, Excellence Awards Winners) |
11/20 Day 2
| 7-7:45 AM | Yoga |
| 7:30-8:30 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:30-9:30 AM | Strategic Plan - Change Management |
| 9:40-10 AM | Break |
| 10-10:45 AM | Breakout Session #2 |
| 10:45-11 AM | Break |
| 11 AM-12 PM | Awards & Recognition Ceremony: Service Milestones & Excellence Award Winners |
| 12-1 PM | Lunch |
| 1-1:45 PM | Breakout Session #3 |
| 1:45-2 PM | Break |
| 2-2:45 PM | Breakout Session #4 |
| 2:45 PM | Conference Concludes |
Virtual Schedule
| 11/19, Day 1 | |
| 9:30-10:45 AM | Welcome & Keynote |
| 11 AM-12 PM | Lunch & Words |
| 12:45-1:30 PM | Hold That Thought - Memory and Health |
| 11/20, Day 2 | |
| 8:30-9:30 AM | Strategic Plan - Change Management |
| 10-10:45 AM | Defensive Calendaring Your Way to Work Life Balance |
| 11 AM-12 PM | Awards & Recognition Ceremony: Service Milestones and Excellence Awards Winners |
Title
Extension Excellence Awards
Winner Announcements Coming Soon!
November 18: Pre-Conference Activities
Memorial Stadium
Kick off the conference with an exclusive Pre-Conference Tour of Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign! Get a VIP look at our premium seating areas, including the Colonnades Club, 77 Club, Private Suites, and 800 Level Media Area—spaces that are always a huge hit! If the weather cooperates, we’ll also get a chance to step onto the field for an epic group photo. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to explore football history and start the conference with a bang.
CITL Tour
Join us for an exclusive tour of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (CITL). This unique opportunity allows you to see firsthand how CITL is transforming educational experiences through state-of-the-art technology, instructional design, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Learn about the resources and tools CITL offers to support students, faculty, and staff in enhancing learning outcomes and fostering a dynamic academic environment. From immersive virtual reality labs to collaborative workspaces, this tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at the cutting-edge resources that make UIUC a leader in educational innovation.
Discover Innovation: Feed Technology Center
Join us for an exclusive tour of the University of Illinois’ state-of-the-art Feed Technology Center, where cutting-edge research meets real-world application. This $20 million facility is revolutionizing animal nutrition and production with its advanced capabilities in grain and forage production, precise diet formulations, and innovative processing technologies. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore the Feed Technology Center and be inspired by the future of animal nutrition.
Illinois Natural History @ Research Park
Embark on a Fascinating Pre-Conference Journey through Illinois Natural History! Get ready to dive into the world of science before the conference kicks off with an exclusive Pre-Conference Tour of the Illinois Natural History exhibits at Research Park, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign! Explore three incredible venues: (1) Forbes Natural History Building: Discover the mesmerizing world of mollusks and paleontology. (2) Robert Evers Lab: Delve into the intricate realms of fungi and plants. (3) Natural Resources Studies Annex: Marvel at the diverse collection of mammals. Each space offers a unique glimpse into our natural world and is sure to spark your curiosity!
Committee-Sponsored Mixer
Wrap up your day of exciting and inspiring tours with a tailgate-themed mixer! Join us for a fun evening of yard games, delicious food, and refreshing drinks as we relax and connect before the big event. Don't miss this chance to mingle with colleagues in a laid-back, festive atmosphere!
Hotel Options
iHotel & Convention Center - FULL
Rooms available. Check availability.
Reservation phone number: 217-819-5000
Block Code: UIEXT1124
Guest Password: ^Re9kUI
Book before: 10/18/2024
Room Block Ratet: $139/night
Drury Inn & Suites Champaign - FULL
Rooms available. Check availability.
Reservation phone number: 1-800-325-0720
Block code: 10104455
Book before: 10/17/24
Room Block Rate: &107/night
Holiday Inn Champaign
Rooms available. Check availability.
Reservation phone number: 217-398-3400
Block code: EXT
Book before: 10/18/24
Room Block Rate: $107/night
Looking for content from 2023 Annual Conference? Below you will find links to photos, keynote speaker information, and selected conference sessions.
Keynote Speakers
For more information
