Air escaping particles of fine white sand joins the sounds at The Lodge’s beach. Each step squeaks, a quirk of Alabama beaches from thousands-of-year-old quartz filtered through the Appalachian Mountains. Similar to the sound of wet sandals, noisy steps can’t help but bring a smile to newcomers’ faces, accompanied by squawking sanderlings, the chatter of sunbathers and swimmers, and gulf waves gently folding over themselves.
This was the scene for OWAA’s 2023 Conference in Gulf Shores, AL.
Like most conferences, picture action packed days with industry leaders delivering keynotes, intensive workshops, and breakout sessions. A myriad of networking opportunities with yummy meals sandwiched in between, including pie for breakfast… yeah… pie. This scene may spark both excitement and exhaustion, a liminal space felt during networking events. So what fueled attendees?
Playtime! Although this may be a surprising answer for a professional development event, who better to turn to than children at recess to tap into unlimited, exploratory energy? And who better to remind us that leading with curiosity or creativity plants stronger roots than solely with one’s credentials?
On Day 2, OWAA celebrated the Excellence in Craft award winners at Poarch Band of Creek Indians’ amusement and water park: OWA. As the night’s events concluded, a wave of voices began to say “C’mon! We have to get to the rides! Rides!!!”. Groups of attendees ran to rollercoasters and swing rides. Laughing-screams of people boomed as they looped in the air. “I haven’t been on a rollercoaster in 10 years… maybe longer,” one said. In all but a few hours, attendees seamlessly floated between the professional space of the conference to childlike silliness. And it was rejuvenating.
With large, out-of-breath grins and sweat dripping down dinner clothes, attendees parted ways. Some returned to the Lodge and some ventured to Flora-Bama for the famous (or infamous, depending on if you like a spiked Wendy’s frosty) Bushwacker.
On the final night, OWAA celebrated their Honorary Awards Banquet and a hospitality suite, hosted by Tourism Ireland. Many were dressed in formal wear, perhaps drinking whiskey or Guinness, reflecting on the richness of the last few days.
Before saying goodbye, I decided to join a group headed down to the beach. Dipping my feet into late summer waters, feeling the ocean spray tickle my cheeks brought me back into that play space. I chatted with the group. The Lodge’s beach was dark enough that after 20 minutes, you were lucky enough to faintly see the milky way shine in the sky. One person among us was playing with the sand and suddenly, tiny blue-ish lights emerged. After some investigation, we realized these were bioluminescent dinoflagellates. Exclaiming to the others “Look, look! There are dinoflagellates in the sand that glow!” Curiosity rippled through pods of people on the beach until another shared that there were some in the water too, just beyond the waves. Three swimmers set forth to see them. Fully clothed in my banquet attire, I and a few others decided to join them, led by contagious awe.
Beyond the waves, as we kicked our feet and moved our hands, even more little blue lights shone, like stars in the water. Blanketed in the shimmering glow, I stared wide-eyed and giggling. We began to share stories while watching the water, laughing together both old friends and new.
From Poarch Band of Creek Indians OWA park, offering rides after our Excellence in Craft Awards Dinner to meeting with editors panels. From running in circles on squeaky sand to discussing biodiversity loss and pathways to restoration. From eating pie for breakfast in honor of an old friend to finding bioluminescent dinoflagellates in the sand. This was the scene for OWAA’s 2023 Conference.
Much like the silly sounds of footsteps in Alabama sands meeting the ancient song of ocean reaching shore, we balanced the inner child and the networking professional, creating something more beautiful than they could stand alone.
Did you miss the annual 2023 conference? Join us in El Paso, Texas in 2024!