IECA’s annual Professional Member Retreat is held each winter. Attendance is limited to IECA Professional members and is particularly focused on the needs of members with five years of experience in the profession. The presentations and guest speakers are appropriate and valuable for those practicing in all specialty areas: college, schools, therapeutic, learning disabilities, international. The focus of the retreat is sharing, group discussion, and special focused presentations. The One Great Idea session involves all participants as they share the best ideas, resources, and tips that help them run their practices in 5-minute presentations. All of these great ideas are compiled into a booklet for participants to take home.
2019 RETREAT
January 16–18, 2019 • Boca Raton, Florida
Cost: $325
Maximum number of attendees: 85
IECA’s Therapeutic Committee is planning a pre-tour prior to the Retreat on January 16th from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. to the following programs: Life Skills, New Directions, and Life of Purpose. To sign up for the tour, click here. For questions, contact Michelle Grappo.
Renaissance Boca Raton Hotel
2000 NW 19th Street, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone for reservations: 800-321-0472 (indicate you’re attending the IECA 2019 Professional Member Retreat)
IECA Rate: $209 single/double, includes guestroom internet access and breakfast; Room rate is good until Friday, December 21 while rooms are available.
Click here to go to the hotel’s special IECA page to reserve a room online: Renaissance Boca Raton Hotel
Travel Information
The Boca Raton retreat hotel is 24 miles from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), 25 miles from Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), and 2 miles from Boca Raton Airport (BCT).
Parking
Complimentary on-site parking
Preliminary Schedule
Wednesday, January 16
5:30 p.m. Check-in/Registration
5:30- 6:15 p.m. Early Arrivals Discussion
The Future of IECA/Fireside Chat with Mark Sklarow (CEO)
6:15- 7:00 p.m. Introduction and Welcome Remarks
Opening Keynote Address:
Educational Innovation for Students with LD
Dr. George Hagerty, President, Beacon College
7:00 – 7:30 p.m. Cocktails with Dr. Hagerty
7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Dinner
Thursday, January 17
7:00 – 7:30 a.m. Meditation
7:30 – 8:45 a.m. Breakfast (included) at your leisure
9:00- 10:30 a.m. ‘One Great Idea’ Session: Business
10:30 a.m. Coffee
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Learning Lab: TBA
12:00. p.m. Transfer to Lynn University
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Lunch
Welcome from Lynn University Dr. Kevin M. Ross, President
Stefano Papaleo, Director of Undergraduate Admission
1:30 – 2:45 p.m. Learning Lab: Marketing
How do you market a profession (independent educational consultant) that people don’t know about? How do you convince people the need to hire a consultant?
Presenters: Lynn University Faculty
Gary Carlin, Associate Professor, Advertising and Public Relations
Jennifer McFarland, Assistant Professor, College of Business and Management, Director of College Brand and Recognition
2:45 – 3:45 p.m. Campus Tour or Discussion
Option 1: Campus Tour
Option 2: Don’t Take it Personally: The most effective strategies for change depend on your not taking their behavior personally.
Discussion Leader: David Altshuler, IECA (FL)
3:45 – 4:30 p.m. Discussion Group Electives
Option 1
Topic: Shortcuts to improve productivity (computer, phone, Alexa)
Discussion Leader: Jason Robinovitz, IECA (FL)
Option 2
Topic: Incorporating Career Counseling into the College Consulting Process
Discussion Leader: Sue Crump, IECA (PA)
Option 3
Topic: What to Look For in a Treatment Program: A Collaboration of Thoughts
Discussion Leaders: Gail Curran, IECA (AZ) Elaine Morgan, IECA (FL)
4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Afternoon Fun Activities
Option 1: Virtual Reality
Option 2: Drama (Acting, Dance and Musical Theater)
Option 3: Classical Music Performance
Option 4: Culinary Experience
5:30 p.m. Evening Festivities – Latin Night Reception
6:45 p.m. Return to Hotel
Friday, January 18
7:00–7:30 a.m. Meditation
7:30 – 8:15 a.m. Breakfast (included) at your leisure
8:15 – 9:45 a.m.
‘One Great Idea’ Session: College Consultants
‘One Great Idea’ Session: Therapeutic Consultants
9:45 a.m. Coffee
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Learning Lab: Creating Positive Attitude Change By Challenging Assumptions
Presenter: Judy Berg, IECA (NJ)
Learning Lab: How to Tolerate the Stress of Everyday Life: Three skills to put into practice today.
Presenters to be announced
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Discussion Group Electives
Option 1
Topic: Expanding your Business Internationally
Discussion Leader: Juan Camilo-Tamayo, IECA (FL)
Option 2
Topic: Valuing and Selling Your Business: Preparing Your Retirement Now
Discussion Leader: Mark Sklarow, CEO, IECA
Option 3
Topic: Collaboration Between College, School, and Therapeutic Consultants
Discussion Leader: Michelle Grappo, IECA (CO)
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch & Conclusion
Optional event following lunch:
IECA members Judi & Jason Robinovitz will host dessert and a screening of the documentary, The Test and the Art of Thinking at their office (about 5 minutes from the hotel). Transportation will be provided.