Chicago – A Year On

By Robert Cundari, President - STC Southwestern Ontario

It was this around this time last year that I prepared to leave the relative obscurity of my life as a consultant, albeit temporarily. I say temporarily because for four hectic days in May, I had the opportunity to stow away my day job and participate in what is known as the single largest gathering of technical communicators in the world – I was going to STC Summit 2012.

For those not aware, the location of the STC Summit changes each year. As the 2012 winner of the Chapter Summit Award, which is presented to a chapter volunteer with two years of experience and a commitment to volunteering the following year, I was headed to the Windy City – Chicago, Illinois.

A lot has changed since I went to the STC Summit 2012.  My business as an independent consultant continues to flourish thanks in no small part to my interactions with other like-minded people at the conference.  Everyone has a story – success or otherwise – that you can learn from.  That’s the beauty of Summit - the people make the event such a success.

As the incoming Southwestern Ontario STC chapter president, I also had a lot to absorb with regards to leadership and STC comings and goings.  Attending the Summit allowed me to embark on a rapid-fire learning experience where I participated in panel discussions, progression sessions, and round tables.  The wealth of knowledge and experience at my fingertips was palpable.  I couldn’t help but become motivated for both my career and the future of our chapter.

From morning to night, education seminars and workshops were held to highlight the new technologies and methodologies as well as to clean out some of the practical cobwebs that I knew I had brought with me.  It was refreshing to hear about certification. It was motivating to hear that I wasn’t the only contractor struggling at times with the maintenance of a business.  There were others like me and it was great to meet them.  We still keep in touch from time to time.

You might ask if I had a chance to escape the conference for a bit and take in some of the sites that the magnificent city of Chicago has to offer.  The answer is absolutely!  While the daily education tract can become intense, there was plenty of downtime to enjoy the town.  A visit to Chicago wouldn’t be the same without a baseball pilgrimage to Wrigley Field and the “Curse of the Cubs” – joining the locals at the Cubby Bear Bar to cool off in the hot May sun.  Or perhaps Or perhaps a ride on the famous “El” – Chicago’s elevated train system to explore a bit of the magnificent downtown.  And don’t get me started about the REAL Chicago deep dish pizza.  There is no rival.

Being a volunteer with the STC and the Southwestern Ontario chapter is not without its rewards.  I was sent to represent our chapter and to learn from the experiences of others.  What I took from the conference will be used for years to come.  I urge anyone with a passion for technical communications and working closely with other like-minded people to explore volunteering with the STC.