Traffic was a challenge in the rush hour rain, so at 5, festivities were off to a slow start. Gradually, more numbers arrived and the vibe picked up. By 7-8, the game tables were abuzz with throngs of gambling project managers. This is a different kind of risk management than at work, right?
A good variety of buffet-style edibles were quickly consumed while the music throbbed and the MC prodded for more dancing participation. PM Homeys don't play that game so much, but some did, and did it very well in contest form, winning gift cards, electronic devices, and more.
One of the tasks of the star-studded evening was to mingle through the crowd, inquiring of select participants, "What would you like to see from PMI Atlanta in 2013?"
First up was Hannah Molette, a softly outspoken Project Management & Communication Specialist who feels strongly that PMI Atlanta will benefit to explore more partnering with non-profits. She believes this will build community in general and attract an additional audience. Because many for-profit companies have social responsibility elements in their plans, it can extend PMI connection further into business, too. (+ congratulations to Hannah, dance contest winner of a new Kindle Fire :)
Larry McPhail experienced his first PMI Atlanta event here. As a PMP for AT&T Mobility, Larry remotely manages West Coast IT and telecom infrastructure projects. His hope is to network, make new friends, and share knowledge of how to successfully meet PM challenges that are common across different industry verticals.
Along with many others, Winfield Light, Project Manager for Radiant Systems, believes that the new initiative of emphasis on Healthcare project management is a most excellent choice, full of benefit in these times.
Midway through the evening, as required by the PMI Atlanta charter, a brief business meeting presentation led by Geoff Berlin summarized the State of the Chapter. This included organization, operations, initiatives, partnerships, and budget aspects. The vision/mission was reiterated, leadership identified, and new leaders introduced. Statistics, programs, community outreach, and education projects were highlighted. (At close to 5000 members, the PMI Atlanta chapter is 3rd largest in the nation, and 4th in the world.) Plans and goals for 2013 include website redesign, enhancing communication, expanding educational opportunities, + lots more good stuff.
Michael Conners is an independent PM Consultant, mostly for telecom work. He has been especially impressed with the variety and quality of Dunwoody Dinner Meeting presentations, and also appreciates Professional Development Day, packing plenty of PDUs combined with compact educational punch into one day.
In addition to IT, Sharon Pierre, Project Manager for Assurant, likes the idea of continued expansion to address PM practice and application in other industries. Another topic of high interest for her is managing sponsor expectations, which can be a huge problem, perhaps rooted in communication issues and the challenging dynamics of change management.
Some anonymous comments of constructive criticism: Better attend food service; (throughout the primary serving time, there were many empty platters, and no water to drink other than bottles to buy.) Use identifying signage at PMI tables. Where were the advertised "recruiter tables?" Less talking during presentations. And finally, seeking specific information from PMI Atlanta could perhaps be less arduous less sending people elsewhere, sometimes in circles. Leaders can take personal responsibility and ownership to work through individual member issues until they are resolved.
On a related note, Venkata Patt emphatically states, "Keep improving the improvements." Venkata is our VP of Industry Forums, and former VP of Technology for the Sacramento, CA chapter of PMI. He also encourages to "cut and save cost, then benefit the members," and "find the right balance in use of technology." Finally, seeing too many unemployed PMPs, plans are in the works for more career development resources in 2013.