As members of the pensions and investments industry, we know that professional development is essential for staying current on trends and regulations. TEXPERS is proud to host its Summer Educational Forum in The Woodlands, Texas – an annual event designed to provide public employee retirement system administrators, board members, and other key stakeholders with the necessary tools and resources to maximize their professional growth. In this blog post, we'll discuss how you can make the most out of your experience at the conference and prepare for success!
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Research
First and foremost, doing your homework before you arrive is essential. Take some time to read up on the topics covered at the Forum so that you can come prepared with questions and ideas. Review the speaker bios to better understand who will be presenting at the conference and their areas of expertise. This way, you can attend sessions that interest you the most.
You can easily do that through our website or event platform and app, powered by Whova and sponsored by law firm Bernstein, Litowitz, Berger & Grossmann, LLP, an Associate Advisor member of TEXPERS. Once you register for the Forum, be on the lookout for an email allowing you to download the Whova app or access a web version that will enable you to gain insights about people you meet at our event, network, visit virtual exhibit booths, access the biography of our speakers and the Forum's agenda.
In addition, attendees can:
- plan whom to meet at the event and what to talk about with each attendee.
- reach out to others via in-app messages before, during, and up to three months after the Forum.
- create casual meetups and arrange social activities with other groups of attendees.
- digitize and manage the business cards you receive.
- seamlessly connect with contacts online via LinkedIn and other platforms.
- get instant notifications from TEXPERS about the Forum.
- access floor maps, speaker presentations, photos, and more!
Network
Once you're onsite for the conference, take advantage of every opportunity available. Whether you are networking or attending sessions led by industry experts, make the most of everything the Forum offers. The Forum is also a great chance to meet vendors in the Forum's Exhibit Hall and learn about new services in the pensions and investments space – don't forget to explore those options!
While attending the Summer Educational Forum is an excellent way to stay up to date on current trends in pensions and investments, remember that it's also about building relationships. Use your time there to network with other attendees and exchange ideas about how best to serve public employee retirement systems. As a bonus, many of these relationships could turn into valuable career opportunities in the future – so don't miss out!
Have Fun
Finally, remember to have fun! We understand that professional development is serious business – but no one said it has to be boring! The TEXPERS Summer Educational Forum offers plenty of social events for networking with peers, plus fun activities like cocktail receptions and a golf tournament at the event venue, The Woodlands Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton.
When you register to attend the Forum, for a separate fee, you can register for four hours of Advanced Trustee Training. Held on Sunday, Aug. 13, from 8 to 1:30 p.m., more tenured pension fund trustees and administrators can satisfy state-mandates continuing education requirements. Networking breakfast and lunch breaks are included in the program fee.
Or, for a separate fee paid while registering for the Forum, you can sign up to network over a round of golf from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., also on Aug. 13, at The Woodland Resort's golf course.
Your Forum registration fee includes a TEXPERS Members Welcome Reception from 3 to 5 p.m. on Aug. 13 at The Woodlands Resort Conference Center's North Wing First Floor Grand Foyer.
During the educational sessions of the Forum on Aug. 14, network over breakfast from 7 to 7:45 a.m. and during lunch from Noon to 1:15 p.m. Explore our Exhibit Hall from 1:15 to 1:30 p.m. or during several planned networking breaks. The sessions and meals occur in the resort's Conference Center's North Wing First Floor.
A TEXPERS Members Event will be held at the resort from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Check our event agenda for additional information on the exact location within the resort. Open to all members; the networking event includes food, beverages, and music.
Networking opportunities are also available on Tuesday, Aug. 15, during our Forum's Networking Breakfast from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. and lunch from Noon to 1 p.m. Again, remember to create or look for social meetups through our Forum App.
No matter what type of experience you're looking for, there's something for everyone at this year's event – so take advantage!
The TEXPERS Summer Educational Forum is an excellent opportunity for public employee retirement system administrators, board members, and other key stakeholders looking for professional development solutions. By doing your research beforehand, taking advantage of opportunities onsite, and networking with peers while having fun at social events – you can maximize your experience at this year's conference.