Seeking NALMS Conference Coordinator

The North American Lake Management Society is seeking letters of interest from individuals interested in transitioning into the role of conference coordinator for the organization.  The selected individual will work in tandem with the current conference coordinator through the 2021 symposium to become integrated into the existing conference framework.  It is anticipated that the next coordinator will have experience with a past NALMS symposium local organizing committee and other basic knowledge of conference planning and execution.  The conference coordinator will work in close conjunction with local organizing committees and the NALMS conference committee to continue NALMS’ history of successful, enjoyable and informative symposia.  The conference coordinator’s primary areas of responsibility will be in site selection, budget preparation, facilitating exhibitors, and negotiating/contracting conference facilities, hotel rooms, food and beverage service, audio visual and decorating services for the annual NALMS Symposium and the biannual National Water Quality Monitoring Conference.

As a volunteer led organization NALMS is highly dependent on 2 sources of revenue; membership dues and conference registration.  While the Board of Directors is working to reduce the importance of conference revenue to the overall budget, it remains a driver in the societies viability.  As such, budgeting and adherence to spending restraints can add significant challenges to this position.

The target for NALMS is to begin planning conferences 3 years in advance, as such the coordinator would be involved in some aspect of planning 5 conferences in any given year. It is anticipated that in addition to the full week of the NALMS Symposium and full week of the (biannual) National Water Quality Monitoring Conference the position will require 3 – 6 additional days of travel to potential conference locations every year.

NALMS provides an annual stipend of $12,000 in addition to travel expenses (e.g. meals, lodging and transportation). The selected individual will receive travel assistance and 25% of the stipend ($3,000) during their first year (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020). It is expected that during the first year the selected individual would attend the 2019 NALMS Symposium in Burlington, Vermont as well as be copied on all correspondence between the current NALMS conference coordinator and the conference facilities (hotel, meeting venue, exhibition hall, etc). The selected individual will receive travel assistance and 50% of the stipend ($6,000) during their second year (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021). It is expected that the selected individual will assist with negotiations with 2020 conference venues, as an observer, while taking the lead on venue negotiations and selection for the 2021 conference. The selected individual will receive the full stipend and travel assistance starting in their third year (July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022).

NALMS is asking that individuals interested in the conference coordinator position commit to the position for at least 5 years (July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2026).

Those interested in being considered for the position should send a letter/email to Shannon Brattebo, NALMS Conference Committee Chair by April 15^th, 2019. In the letter you should briefly indicate your past participation in conference planning, NALMS conferences, and visions for successful conference execution. The NALMS Conference Committee will review all letters of interest and make a recommendation to the NALMS Executive Committee.