The Good Times Rolled: SIOP 2009 in New Orleans
Julie B. Olson-Buchanan, Conference Chair
California State University, Fresno
John C. Scott, Program Chair
APT, Inc.
True to form, SIOP conference attendees rose to the challenge and found dozens of ways to “laissez les bon temps roulez” in New Orleans. With 285 invited sessions and peer-reviewed sessions, 658 posters, and 2 special theme tracks, all in the unique atmosphere of New Orleans’ French Quarter, how can you not have fun?
We had 3,651 conference registrants from 39 countries outside of the U.S., nearly breaking the 3rd place record attendance set in Chicago in 2004. This is all the more impressive when you consider the number of businesses and universities experiencing travel freezes right now.
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the key events at the conference.
Wednesday
Suzanne Tsacoumis’s Workshop Committee delivered a set of 15 stimulating and informative workshops. After the workshops, registrants were treated to the can’t-be-missed workshop reception (complete with delicious shrimp, New Orleans style) in the all-glass Armstrong ballroom.
Mark Frame hosted an engaging set of sessions for 26 new faculty members at the 4th Annual Junior Faculty Consortium.
Suzanne Hawes spearheaded a great set of sessions for 33 doctoral students at the Lee Hakel Industrial-Organizational Psychology Doctoral Consortium.
Pauline Velez chaired a very successful third Master’s Student Consortium for 59 students currently enrolled in master’s programs.
John Scott and Adrienne Colella hosted a warm welcome reception for attendees who were new to the SIOP conference. This year they introduced a unique networking opportunity that facilitated the formation of meaningful new contacts.
Ron Landis organized another successful SIOPen Golf Tournament at Oak Harbor Golf Club in Slidell, LA for 34 SIOP golfers.
Thursday
At 8:00 a.m., Julie Olson-Buchanan kicked off the conference by welcoming attendees to the conference. Award Committee Chair Wendy Boswell recognized the 40 award, grant, and scholarship winners, and Fellowship Chair Ann Howard introduced 11 new SIOP Fellows. Next, Paul Thayer (SIOP Foundation) introduced our new SIOP Foundation president, Milt Hakel. After Kurt Kraiger’s introduction, which featured a description of the many sides of our SIOP president (including some great baby pictures), Gary Latham presented his presidential address (which is available in video format on the SIOP Web site). Attendees held up their phones to take pictures of some of the I-O icons introduced by Gary during his talk, including Ed Locke, Lyman Porter, Ed Fleishman, John Campbell, and Victor Vroom (who treated us to “When the Saints...” on his clarinet). Gary closed his presidential address with an official signing ceremony for the Alliance for Organizational Psychology with Franco Fraccaroli, president of the European Association of Work and Organizational Psychology, and José Maria Peiró, president of Division 1 of the International Association of Applied Psychology, and Gary Latham, SIOP.
After the presidential address, Kurt Kraiger announced the winners of this year’s elections: Mort McPhail (Financial Officer/Secretary), Scott Highhouse (Publications Officer), Lise Saari (Membership Services Officer), Doug Reynolds (Communications Officer), and Eduardo Salas (President-Elect). Next Kurt announced how some of our existing elected members were restructured to the following positions: Suzanne Tsacoumis (Conferences and Programs Officer), Donald Truxillo (External Relations Officer), Tammy Allen (Research and Science Officer). Also two members were appointed to fill newly created portfolio positions for partial terms: Cristina Banks (Professional Practice Officer) and Jim Outtz (Instructional and Educational Officer).
Julie Olson-Buchanan (or was it Buchanan-Olson?) closed the plenary session with a description of the highlights of the conference.
The first theme track of the 2009 conference was presented on Thursday and was chaired by Denise Rousseau. This theme track provided a comprehensive and engaging treatment of the emerging evidence-based practice movement and its implications for I-O psychologists.
The International Affairs Committee hosted a lively International Members’ Reception.
The Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs held its annual meeting, followed by a well-attended reception.
For the fourth year we highlighted the top-rated posters, S. Rains Wallace Award winner, and Flanagan award winners during the Thursday evening all-conference reception.
Friday
Dr. Peter Gollwitzer, professor of Psychology at NYU, engaged us with his keynote address on subconscious goals.
Russell Johnson and his Friday Seminar Committee hosted four outstanding and well-received sessions.
Linda Shanock hosted SIOP’s inaugural Master Collaboration series that highlighted a highly successful collaboration between a leading researcher and a leading practitioner who have advanced the study and practice of team development and effectiveness.
After holding its annual meeting, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Committee held an engaging reception on Friday.
The Leading Edge networking reception was held Friday and featured comments by Leading Edge Consortium Chair Lois Tetrick.
In the spirit of shared and collective governance, a track of Executive Committee sessions occurred including a town hall meeting where important topics including implementation of SIOP’s new governance structure and an update on the IAAP and SIOP United National initiative were discussed.
Saturday
At 7:00 a.m., 184 members participated in this year’s Fun Run, once again hosted by Paul Sackett, Pat Sackett, and Kevin Williams. Hats off to Paul, Pat, and Kevin for getting that many people out of bed before 7:00 a.m. after a Friday evening in New Orleans.
Dr. James H. Bray, 2009 President of the American Psychological Association, presented a keynote address on Saturday morning where he discussed the future of psychology practice and science education and provided unique insights regarding SIOP’s contribution to APA.
The Saturday theme track, chaired by Sara Weiner, focused on one of the most critical issues facing the business world today: the responsibility of organizations to their communities, society, and the environment, and the role I-O professionals play in meeting those responsibilities.
The conference culminated in the closing plenary. Dr. Steve Kerr (Goldman Sachs) gave an extremely thought-provoking and timely address on rewards, teamwork, and the role of research in practice. At the end of the plenary, Gary Latham passed the gavel to our incoming president Kurt Kraiger who then announced his theme for next year’s conference, evidence-based management.
Immediately following the closing plenary, we enjoyed a celebratory closing reception where attendees were treated to a New Orleans food tasting and danced to New Orleans’ hottest band, the Bucktown All-Stars. This was truly an event to remember and a great way to end an extraordinary conference.
Sunday
Michele Ehler and her committee coordinated more than 75 SIOP members who volunteered to makeover a school library at Langston Hughes Academy Charter School in New Orleans (part of the Recovery School District). Volunteers painted murals, prepped library books, hung bulletin boards, built and stained bookshelves and picnic tables, and built and stained an entire outdoor classroom. This was a rewarding, moving experience for all of those involved.
Coordinated by our local arrangements chair, Tracey Rizzuto, 50 SIOP members learned how to prepare authentic New Orleans dishes such as gumbo, jambalaya, bananas foster, and pralines at the New Orleans School of Cooking.
Throughout the Conference
Anthony Adorno coordinated an outstanding lineup of 12 Community of Interest sessions this year.
Conference Evaluation Chair Eric Heggestad coordinated multiple on-site interviews of conference attendees so that we can glean more information about how to further improve our conference.
Larissa Linton and her committee served 316 job seekers at the Placement Center. Joerg Dietz and Doug Pugh co-coordinated 100+ student volunteers. Joerg, Doug, and the student volunteers made sure the conference ran smoothly by helping with many behind-the-scenes tasks including conference bag stuffing, sign deployment, registration, and the like.
Dave Nershi and the Administrative Office staff did an outstanding job of keeping the conference on time, on track, and loads of fun.
Remember, if there’s a session you missed because there was just too much to do, check out the Learning Center on the SIOP Web site. There, you will find streaming audio versions of selected conference sessions and a video of Gary’s presidential address.
See you in Atlanta for the 25th Annual SIOP Conference!