I had a chance to experience my first CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) Convention last week and even though it ran up against our regional ECAC-SIDA meetings the week before, I feel like I got a lot out of the trip down to Orlando.

The panel schedule was listed online only, apparently for the first time, which forced you to download an app, but everything was pretty straightforward once you got online. There were a good number of folks who made the ECAC/CoSIDA double, which was nice to see.

The week was very busy, especially if you attempted to make every panel (I missed out on two) and tried to make new connections. By simply walking around the convention hall, I ran into colleagues from all over the country, including a few that I just met at the DIII NCAA Track & Field Championships in May.

Aside from the techniques and tips I picked up on the technical side of the athletic communications world, I found the week to be very motivating. While you do have to heed the warning "don't try to do everything" that I heard a handful of times, it is important that you continue to improve. That was my biggest takeaway. Everyone can be more efficient with their time and we should prioritizing what the student-athletes and fans want over all else.

Went on a run right before festivities kicked off for #CoSIDA17

It was great to see how much influence DIII SIDs have nationally, especially in leadership positions. We are truly all in this together, whether you have as staff of 12 or are a "one-man shop." (sorry I had to sneak that in there)

While some are unhappy that CoSIDA has run in conjunction with NACDA (National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics) over the last few years, I found it to be more of a positive than a negative. Any exposure those in the communications world get to the athletic directors and marketing folks is good and all week I felt more included than excluded. While it did feel a little different entering the NACDA vendor area on Wednesday, I enjoyed the experience and did not feel daunted.

Overall, I feel rejuvenated and ready to take on the world, which is probably good and bad, but I'm thankful I was able to attend. The SID world can seem like a lonely place on a cold Saturday night in December, so it's important to know there are people in your same shoes all over the country.

First CoSIDA Convention