“Over the past decade, the combination of technological change and economic stress has caused many members to question the way in which ALA groups accomplish work,” begins a White Paper on the ALA Midwinter Meeting (PDF file) published just ahead of this year’s Midwinter in San Diego. “In particular, they have raised issues relating to the continuing viability of the ALA Midwinter Meeting,” the report continues.
Presented to the ALA Executive Board for discussion by Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels and Senior Associate Executive Director Mary Ghikas, the white paper concludes that “the ALA Midwinter Meeting is, above all, about conversations and networking,” and “the reality is that members are quietly creating a Midwinter that works for them.” This paper—published as 2010–2011 Executive Board Document 12.17—is essential reading for any ALA member who questions the viability of the Midwinter Meeting. “Sheer growth,” it says, “is not necessarily always desirable, and Midwinter would lose many of the advantages cited [in the white paper] if it were to grow into another conference with 25,000 attendees,” like the Annual Conference.
People certainly voted with their feet in San Diego. This year’s Midwinter Meeting attracted a whopping 10,110 total attendees, a real vote of confidence in its value, especially during these tough economic times.