By: Mike Rhodes—
Muncie, IN—The Horizon Convention Center hosted the Special Olympics Indiana State Conference on October 27-28 in downtown Muncie. Over 300 people from all over Indiana attended the conference.
The annual conference is primarily for Special Olympics Indiana volunteers, leaders, staff, board members and county/management teams from across the state. In addition to numerous break-out sessions, an important component of the conference was the “Spirit of Special Olympics” luncheon held on Saturday. Awards in five categories were presented.
Carl Erskine presents to attendees during the “Spirit of Special Olympics” luncheon. Photo by: Mike Rhodes
Carl Erskine was a featured presenter during the luncheon. The Erskine Green Training Institute inside the Courtyard Marriott Muncie was named after Carl Erskine and Steve Green. EGTI’s programming is designed for individuals whose academic, social, communication and adaptive skills are affected due to a disability. Most applicants would have received special education services in the K-12 setting and exited their secondary school with a diploma, GED or certificate of completion, though EGTI accepts candidates who dropped out from their high school experience. EGTI is a certificate program (not an accredited college degree program). Participants may also earn additional industry recognized certifications depending upon the program selected. Many conference attendees came early to Muncie in order to take a personal tour of the Erskine Green Training Institute.
According to Nathan Barnes, an executive with Special Olympics Indiana, the group selected the Horizon Convention Center for their annual conference because of the proximity to the Erskine Green Training Institute. “For years our annual conference has been held in Indianapolis where our state headquarters are located,” said Nathan. “That facility has subsequently been torn down. So, we decided to look around for an alternative location and found out about the Horizon Convention Center and its proximity to the Erskine Green Training Institute. Everything has been great here. In comparison to where we used to be, the Horizon Convention Center facility and staff have been outstanding.”
Special Olympics International will be celebrating 50 years in 2018. Special Olympics Indiana will celebrate 50 years in 2019. The first Special Olympic games were held in Chicago in 1968.
Indiana CPA Society Leadership Conference
Just as attendees of Special Olympics Indiana were arriving in Muncie, 120 attendees of the Indiana CPA Society were leaving after holding their 3-day leadership conference at the Horizon Convention Center.
Doug York, CPA, CGMA, Rodefer Moss, Chair, Indiana CPA Society wraps up the Indiana CPA Society Meeting.
Jennifer Briggs, CAE, is senior vice president & COO for the Indiana CPA society. “Our conference was outstanding,” she said. “It was a great event. Our conference consisted of our leadership cabinet and emerging leaders alliance meetings. The Horizon Convention Center facility has been great. We have members who come to our conference from all over the state, so convenience was important to us. It was easy to get to and easy to park. The staff have been lovely—just very helpful. Particularly Jane at the reception desk out front. She was always asking if we needed anything. We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott Muncie next door which was very convenient. We were excited to come to Muncie. We tried in the past, but the hotel had not been constructed yet. Now, the Courtyard Marriott Muncie is very convenient to the Horizon Convention Center. It worked out perfectly for us.”
About the Horizon Convention Center
Centrally located in a thriving downtown atmosphere, Horizon Convention Center connects personalized service and expertise to fulfill your custom convention, wedding, or event needs. Your guests will love the heart of Muncie!
