We all have to let off a little steam once in a while, right?  Well, that's what approximately six hundred grant writing professionals did this past week in Las Vegas – and I lived to tell you all about it.  Sure, there may have been a backdrop of slot machines, Vegas showgirls and a sea of Wayne Newton impersonators, but we grant writers are resilient.  We know how to have a good time AND learn and share with one another as we do.

It was so exciting as grant writers from all over the country gathered together for the 13th Annual Grant Professionals Association/Charity Channel Summit at the famed Bally's Hotel and Casino.  These were a gathering of professionals that I follow on Twitter, authors of how-to books that I cherish and speakers whose advice I hang on to with every syllable.  In short, it was a gathering of the best and the brightest in the field.

So, I did manage to learn and share with these rock stars amidst dining at Bobby Flay's Mesa restaurant at Caesar's Palace and watching the light show at the Bellagio.  It's all in a day's work. ;)  Anyway, here are just a few nuggets of wisdom that I gleaned that I wanted to pass along to you.  I hope that you'll make plans now to join me at next year's event.  No, Indianapolis isn't quite as dazzling as Vegas but as you'll see from my observations below, it isn't just about location, location, location.  Enjoy!

We need support from others that do what we do. We get so bogged down in Letters of Intent, goals and objectives and case statements that we forget that real people are involved in our business.  It is wonderful to share exciting news of grants awards and commiserate about less-than-desirable program officers with others that know exactly what you're talking about.  Grant professionals aren't exactly on every block and the rest of the world hasn't a clue about what we do for a living so find a local chapter of the Grant Professionals Association or your local Association of Fundraising Professionals and get involved.  Your participation will help keep you happy and motivated. 

Fellow grant writers have your back. Let's just say that my presentation at this year's conference managed to follow Murphy's Law almost to the letter.  No seat at the Author's Reception I had reserved two months back, technical glitches with a video that tied in perfectly with the topic I was presenting to my break-out workshop class and a heel rubbed raw with a blister from pumps I haven't worn since last winter. 

No worries.  My fellow authors quickly welcomed me and brought in an extra chair.  A workshop participant thankfully volunteered to fix my glitch.  And, perhaps most important of all, no one laughed (at least out loud) as I had to stuff a wad of toilet tissue in the back of my shoe since no band aids were to be found.  Now that's loyalty!

You'll never know who you get to meet when you get out from behind that computer. I admit, it's tough for me to make the time justification for conferences such as these.  Intellectually, I know that it's important for me to stay involved and to continue to learn but emotionally it's hard to be away from my family for any period of time.  It's also tough giving up several days of work to be committed to learning at all of the fabulous workshops. It's like you're putting your "normal" life on pause.  But, wow, am I so grateful I paused!

Sure, I got to meet my grant writing idols and rub shoulders with colleagues that I greatly admire, but the most unforgettable experience was making new friends.  I made friends at this conference that I will look forward to seeing year after year plus stay involved with in between conference times.  I would have never made these friends had I not gotten out from behind my computer.  I urge you to do the same.

Have you noticed a common theme throughout this blog post?  It all goes back to establishing relationships.  You are not a grant writing island.  You need people – we all do.  Hope to see you next year in Indy, my future new friend!