Traveling Coaches: Coaches Connection

We recently caught up with Michelle Spencer, Training Manager at Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, to chat about her new role as the User Support Services Peer Group Vice President (PGVP) for ILTA. Monday afternoon, Michelle took a break from the ILTA conference action for the chat. It was great to catch up with her and hear all about conference first-hand.

What is the role of the User Support Services Peer Group Vice President (PGVP)?

The User Support Services PGVP directs the User Support Services Steering Committee to design programs, monitor the e-group, and work on ILTA publications, webinars and roadshows. And of course, all of the things that go into planning the User Support Services sessions for next year’s conference.

How is conference different for you this year?

First, I’ve gained an awareness of what goes into the making of a successful conference. Even though I’ve participated in past years as a volunteer and speaker, now I understand that planning for the next year really does start immediately after the current conference. I’m also learning about what goes into all of the things that happen throughout the year. Conference is only a piece of ILTA.

Second, I’m appreciating the importance of talking to vendors, building on and making new relationships, because we rely on their help for programming throughout the year. This is a great way to make new contacts as well as thank them for their past contributions. And I’m paying attention to programming more closely. I’m looking for programs that will be meaningful throughout the year, but also what we need to consider for the User Support Services Track at next year’s conference.

And it has been interesting to look at it from different perspectives. Our peer group tables during lunch have been full and we've had quite a few first time attendees. It’s been encouraging to see attendance deeper into the IT organization with support and training.

What are your plans for the coming year?

A special webinar series that takes a deep dive look at Office 2010 – Under the Microscope – focusing on each individual application in the suite, and of course all kinds of other goodies.

Any advice/wisdom passed down from the outgoing PGVP?

Yes, the outgoing PGVP, Honora Wade, has had a lot of great information to share with me. A lot of success comes from finding the right people for the steering committee and reaching out across the aisle to the different arms of ILTA, Regional VPs and other PGVPs for support, not to mention the professional ILTA staff.

And speaking of finding the right people for the User Support Services PG steering committee, we have a couple of openings this year. Two of our members are retiring after many years of service. The steering committee is important to the success of the group and each member has an assigned area of focus, but they also back each other up in their respective roles.

We are always open to suggestions and want to put on programs that mean something to the membership. It really is member driven which is, I believe, ILTA's greatest strength.