Last month, I had the opportunity to attend the Tennessee State Court Clerks Association’s Spring Conference in Pigeon Forge, TN at Dollywood’s Heartsong Resort. As one of my first conferences with equivant Court, I had a great time getting to meet industry officials, explore Tennessee, and learn more about the justice industry as a whole. I was also joined by my colleague Colleen Bement, and I can speak for the both of us when I say the conference was a blast.
The Conference
The conference itself was a valuable opportunity to learn and make connections. When I first arrived, I was blown away at the beauty of the Heartsong Resort.
From the log cabin aesthetic to the outdoor patio surrounded by trees, you truly felt at home. I can say I definitely took advantage of the fireside lounge chairs each evening.
During the conference, the activities paired with the informative sessions kept the environment fun, yet professional. I really enjoyed the Champagne with Vendors social event, where we got to mingle with attendees and give away some equivant swag (the tote bags and Tide Pens were fan favorites!)
But, the highlight of the event had to be the original songs from the Dollywood performer Miss Lillian and her signature rubber chicken!
Aside from the events, Colleen and I also got to connect with our customer from Washington County, TN. It was rewarding to hear about the success her court is having with equivant’s CourtView 3, and it was a unique experience for me to meet one of our customers in person as a newer member of equivant Court.
Colleen and I ended the conference with our TV giveaway, which went home with Forbess from Tipton County. Congratulations again, Mike! It was great to meet you.
Reflecting back, the conference was a perfect mix of productivity, learning, and excitement! I am glad I got the opportunity to attend.
The Fun Stuff
Even with the responsibilities of the conference, I was lucky to find some time to enjoy all the Great Smoky Mountains have to offer. One of the highlights was spending the evening in Dollywood with the other conference vendors and attendees.
I got to see real Dolly Parton outfits in the Dollywood museum, ride coasters with my fast pass, and have a buffet-style dinner with the rest of the conference attendees. My favorite part was splitting the famous Dollywood cinnamon bread loaf with a table of fellow vendors as we talked about our time at the conference.
During my final night in Tennessee, I found time for a hike to Abrams Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains. If you ever have the chance to hike in a national park, I highly recommend you take the opportunity.
The Takeaways
Overall, Colleen and I had an amazing time at the conference. It was an important reminder that, at the end of the day, the most important thing about this industry is the people we serve.
Whether that is the court professionals whose job we hope to make easier, or the community members whose justice experience will be more accessible by our products, it is always rewarding to meet the people our products and services impact face to face.
As our company continues to grow, keep up with all news related to our conference travels and products by following us on LinkedIn or visiting our website.
