As we bid farewell to 2023, it's time to reflect on a year filled with growth, innovation, and community spirit at ACES: The Society for Editing. Our success is a collective achievement, made possible by the dedication of our team, the enthusiasm of our members, and the support of our Board and committee members.
Staffing: Celebrating Our Team
A heartfelt thank you to our staff, whose tireless efforts continue to drive our organization forward. Thanks so much to Kristin Shoop, our ACES Events and Professional Development Manager, whose exceptional work has been nothing short of amazing. We also warmly welcomed Sasha Nyary, our new Communications and Marketing Manager, who has already become an invaluable addition to our team. As I always say, our team is small but mighty.
Conference Highlights: Expanding Horizons
ACES Evolve 2023: Our biggest conference since COVID was a resounding success, with over 500 attendees in Columbus, Ohio. The packed sessions, often requiring extra space, highlighted the vibrant interest and engagement of our community.
ACES VCON23: Consistently attracting an average of 1,200 registrants, this event has become a cornerstone for ACES members to further their editing education, make new connections, and broaden their professional networks.
Poynter Collaboration: Elevating Educational Standards
We're proud to announce the launch of the completely redesigned Poynter ACES Intermediate Certificate in Editing course. This is a pivotal part of our three-part certificate program, aimed at enhancing editing and management skills across various domains.
A dedicated project team is now working on the third course in the series, the Advanced Certificate in Editing, set for a fall 2024 launch.
Online Training Subcommittee: Fostering Excellence
Our proposal to offer $200 honorariums to ACES Academy monthly webcast speakers was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors, a testament to our commitment to value and support our speakers.
The governance document outlining the ACES Academy webcast submission and speaker selection process is currently up for approval, streamlining our operations and ensuring transparency.
Committee members have been instrumental in supporting the launch of the Poynter ACES Intermediate Certificate in Editing, ensuring each course meets our high standards before release.
In-Person Training Subcommittee: Innovating with New Programs
We're excited about the design of our first in-person training pilot program launching on April 3, 2024, just before the start of ACES 2024 San Diego: Unleashing Creativity. The committee is finalizing the details, with registration opening by the end of January 2024.
Sad News
We were sad to hear that William G. Connolly, a founding member of ACES and the ACES Education Fund, passed away this December. Bill was instrumental in shaping both organizations and he served as a mentor and inspiration to his ACES colleagues. We are so grateful for all his contributions and we will miss him.
A Grateful Acknowledgment
Our sincere thanks go to the ACES Board of Directors, the ACES Education Fund Board, staff, committee members, speakers, volunteers, and, most importantly, you, our members. Your unwavering support is the cornerstone of ACES' continued success and growth.
As we look towards 2024, we are inspired and motivated by the achievements of the past year. Your commitment and enthusiasm fuel our mission to provide exceptional learning and networking opportunities for our community. Here's to another year of thriving together!
Warm regards,
Gigi Sutton, MBA
Executive Director
Read More:
ACES President Neil Holdway's reflections on 2023
Review 2023 with ACES Education Fund President Lisa McLendon
