I just got to preview Jean Chatzky’s keynote presentation for IECA. This presentation is based on her new book, The Difference: How Anyone Can Prosper in Even the Toughest Times. The presentation is terrific. First everyone needs to understand which of four categories they are in. The Wealthy (3% of population), Financially Comfortable (27%), Paycheck-to-Paycheckers (55%) and Further-in-Debtors (15%). Once you know the patterns in each group you can learn what steps to take in eight circumstances that make a significant difference as you seek financial security. If you will be in SF Wednesday at 1:00, it is not to be missed!

The first official conference event–a tour of Stanford University–kicked off this morning with a full bus load. I asked those departing what advice they would give to those who are departing for the conference later this week. #1: Bring a jacket (it was 45 degrees when the bus pulled away) and #2 there’s a Starbucks directly across the street from the hotel. But the buses leave on time (2 people missed the bus on day one), so get to Starbucks early!!

One fun aspect of almost any conference is wandering through the exhibit hall to look at the vendors, examine their products and discuss the services they offer, whether to consultants, schools, or programs. The IECA Vendor Hall continues to grow and we’ll be welcoming the largest number of vendors ever–including many coming to IECA for the first time. A complete list can be found on the IECA Web site at: http://www.iecaonline.com/conferences.html.

The Conference Guide (Program, Information and Directory combined into one document) has just arrived and I’m reminded how much we have going on in San Francisco. On most days, the programs begin by 8:00 a.m. and run until after dark. Wear comfortable shoes! Must thank Montcalm and Eckerd whose sponsorship paid for the Guide. Also holding the pocket schedules (thanks to Mitchell College) which look great–although the picture on the cover makes an escape to the nearby cable cars look VERY appealing!

Posted by Mark Sklarow, Executive Director, IECA

Conference registration continues to look good for San Francisco.  We just signed up a number of new exhibitors who will make the vendor hall a very exciting place.  In addition to those new vendors, the Internet / networking lounge will be located in the area and we’ve just added, at the suggestion of many colleagues, a job-posting and resume-posting location for those in the therapeutic communities that have been hit by the economic recession.  More information on these available soon.

Everyone should watch the calendar–late fees will soon kick in–don’t wait, register online now through the IECA Web site: www.IECAonline.com.

Conference registration passed 700 on Friday, with 5 weeks to go.  We already have more consultants registered for San Francisco than attended the spring conference last year.  Those who have not yet registered should do so soon to beat any late fees, and book their hotel room at the conference location.  Any professional, associate, or student members who did not register for the Tuesday members-only dinner can still be added on to this special Chinatown outing.

We just learned that Canada’s Channel One will be sending a crew to San Francisco to cover the conference and conduct interviews for a television special on parenting trends.