The conference is a place to hear from thought leaders, talk to exhibitors about current trends, and of course meet your colleagues. One of the best parts of the conference is the people!

Time and time again after we survey conference attendees we find you want more time to talk with your peers. Whether you are new to gift planning or have been doing it for 25 years, we all continue to learn from each other. This year I am happy to say we will have two Affinity Group sessions! You can join your peers from similar organizations on Thursday and Friday mornings to discuss topics that may be more relevant to your type of organization, ask questions, and meet your fellow attendees. On Thursday at lunch, you will be able to continue the conversations with affinity group tables. I hope you will make great connections and continue the conversation even after the conference ends.

Speaking of… stay until the closing lunch. I know we all have to get back home, but the closing keynote will be worth taking the later flight or staying another night – after all, it is New Orleans! In the closing session, Dr. Elizabeth Dale will unveil for the first time results from her planned giving donor survey. You will want to stay and hear about what motivates your donors to give!

About the author 

KATHY KIELAR
CONFERENCE CHAIR 

Kathy has more than 15 years of experience in planned and major giving. For the last twelve years, she has been with WTTW in Chicago, one of the most-watched PBS stations in the nation and WFMT, a fine arts radio station heard across the globe. In her current position as Vice President of Development, Kathy leads the planned giving program, the major giving annual funds, the matching gifts program, and the WFMT on-air pledge drive, which continues to have record-breaking results.

She specializes in marketing and building planned giving programs. Prior to this, Kathy served at the Alzheimer’s Association where she developed planned giving programs for its 14 chapters throughout the Great Lakes region. During this time she worked with chapters to build, market, and grow their programs. Kathy is a past president of the Chicago Council on Planned Giving board. She also has been a speaker on numerous panels for CCPG and participated in their outreach program as a mentor. She is also a member of the PBS National Planned Giving Advisory Council.