Ah, the joys of modern air travel. You pack your bags, head to the airport full of optimism, and then… boom. Flight delayed. Or worse, canceled. Because why wouldn’t a perfectly clear travel day suddenly turn into an arctic hurricane with winds strong enough to knock over your carefully balanced airport coffee?

This morning, Mother Nature decided I needed an extra day of anticipation, so instead of arriving in New Orleans on Wednesday as planned, I’ll try again on Thursday. Wish me luck! Maybe by the time I land, they’ll have added “frequent flyer snow survivor” as an official airline status.

So, if you—like me—are still at your desk instead of strolling the conference halls, or if you’re currently making a “temporary home” at Gate C17 while aggressively refreshing the airline app, don’t worry! You can still join in on the conference action from wherever you are.

Here’s how to stay connected even if you’re not there yet:

✈️ Read the latest blog posts we’ve added [HERE].
✈️ Check out the Conference Daily Online homepage and dive into the latest articles [HERE].
✈️ See an overview of David Schuler’s first State of the Association Address [HERE].
✈️ Catch up on the top news from the conference and award winners [HERE].
✈️ Take a moment for personal reflection.

• Who are you as a person and a leader compared to last year?
• What growth have you experienced?
• Who do you want to be by next year’s conference, and how will you get there?

✈️ Celebrate the accomplishments of one of my favorite colleagues, Kevin Riley, as he takes on the role of President for the Horace Mann League—congrats, Kevin! [HERE]
✈️ Need some inspiration on the go? Try out these great podcasts [HERE].

For those of you who have safely landed and are already soaking in the sessions, the networking, and possibly a beignet or two—enjoy!

For the rest of us still battling flight delays, questionable airport food, and the ever-unreliable “departure estimate,” I say: Stay strong. Stay caffeinated. And may the force be with us.

Jane