Executive Board Report: TSHA 2024 Convention Highlights
By: Diane Longnecker, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, Vice President for Educational and Scientific Affairs
The 68th Annual Convention and Exhibition of the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) came to Fort Worth on February 22-24 ready to spark innovation and enlighten with knowledge.
More than 5,000 attendees and exhibitors came together from near and far across the great state of Texas for this year’s Convention. There were 18 continuing education (CE) hours available through a broad range of educational offerings.
One attendee stated, “Attending TSHA Convention this year gave me a renewed sense of excitement around the profession.”
The Amp-Up Sessions on Thursday and Friday mornings provided an opportunity for all of TSHA to come together to engage and learn as a collective about relevant professional topics for audiologists and speech-language pathologists. Dr. Katrina A. Gibson kicked off the TSHA 2024 Convention on Thursday with an excellent presentation entitled, “Anti-Ableism: Lighting the Path to Equity and Empowerment.” On Friday morning, Dr. Victoria Black presented, “Mentorability: Exploring and Assessing Your Own Mentorability in a Mentoring Partnership.” In addition, the 77 sessions and 33 poster presentations were of high-quality and provided pertinent education across a variety of ages and disorders.
Another attendee stated, “The TSHA Convention is a great resource for having the most current information happening in our fields. It’s also a huge encouragement to be around so many professionals.”
What attendees see on site at Convention each year is only made possible through the many volunteer hours put in by fellow speech-language pathologists and audiologists and with the support from the TSHA State Office and our management firm, Smithbucklin. Every single one of these people amplified the positive experience of all attendees and allowed for the many aspects of Convention to be possible!
I would like to recognize a handful of the amazing volunteers who have dedicated their time, skills, and expertise to the association as a part of the Convention Committee this year.
Program Committee Co-Chairs Lydia Richardson and Erin Keeling and their Program Strand Committee members selected and scheduled 105 sessions, three master classes, and 31 poster presentations. Poster awards for presentations of excellence from students and professionals were given again this year. Congratulations to those winners, and thank you to the Programming Committee. Your knowledge, time, and expertise are invaluable to our fields and vital to the success of TSHA!
Councilor and outgoing Vice President for Education and Scientific Affairs Angela Kennedy provided expertise, wisdom, and support throughout the whole planning process. You are very appreciated!
Education Innovation Co-Chair Lori Cochran provided excellent training opportunities and speaker office hours for how to take presentations to the next level by increasing engagement and improving overall design. Lori, thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with TSHA!
Spirit Day Committee Co-Chairs Susan Sneed and Katie Zubia enthusiastically planned and amped up Spirit Day for all student attendees. The meet-and-greet, tailgate games, and the famous Praxis Bowl were all expertly planned and so fun for all! Thank you!
Convention Scholarship and Volunteer Committee Co-Chairs Naomi Arcos-Hernandez and Ally Gore facilitated professional and student scholarships to attend the TSHA 2024 Convention. While on site, their smiling faces greeted you, provided answers, and helped meet attendee needs at the volunteer booth. Thank you both for your organizational skills, positive attitude, and bright smiles!
Community Integration and Development Committee Co-Chairs Jenny Reynolds and Shawn Williams coordinated resume review times and professionally focused career development sessions. They also planned and coordinated philanthropy projects benefiting Pedi Place in the exhibit hall. Thank you for being intentional about finding new ways to serve all attendees and the Fort Worth community!
While the TSHA 2024 Convention was a huge success, we cannot wait to innovate and improve with TSHA’s 69th Annual Convention and Exhibition. Please mark your calendars now for the TSHA 69th Annual Convention and Exhibition, set for May 1-3, 2025, in San Antonio. Come celebrate our professions with us during Fiesta next year!
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