PMI? Leadership Institute Meeting 2019—North America

LIM 2019! Great location, Awesome people, innovative breakout sessions and cozy close networking!. #pmi50 #pmicon19 #pmi #pmilim

Wow what an event.. started from home on Oct 02 with lot of expectations and dreams. As a 1st time LIM attendee, 50th year celebrations, networking opportunities, abundance of knowledge, strong team mates pushing for joint learning ( Salena, Sam, Ang, Mahfuzur, Jeet and two past presidents of PMINAC Bakhtawar and Phil.

On reaching, we joined for dinner with our region mentor, the great John Naughton, the place was vibrant and I can feel the vibes that evening itself.. #networking started there.. the table next to us ordered lot of chicken wings and that was delivered to us.. delighted we started eating without knowing it was the other table order. But in PMI, we don’t count chickens, do we? Region 6 never even questioned until we got our order and realized that the half finished chicken were theirs.. ha ha so much fun..

Next day morning, 7:30 am reached the venue.. registration was super easy.. you show the print out.. they scan it.. bingo.. here you go with the swag bag.. had a small guide for the day events.. the most needed water bottle and many useful.. Yes yes useful flyers.

Walked few feet and there was that big blue green purple color changing Screen with some 4-5 monitors flashing a question.. below that said, enter your first and last name.. OK, I did that. Followed a question.. answered.. Boom.. my name is flashing on that big screen with my answer.. Photo opp... run run take a pic. It was dark.. the next day smart GHQ put two spot lights so the face was clearly visible.you can see the photo below.

Took those long never ending escalators to the terrace level and Voila, network breakfast.. the lavish arrangement done by the GHQ with Delaware chapter assistance was delicious and was catered to keep everyone active while day.. eat, coffee and chat till 8:00 am and rush down to ground level for the first timer orientation session..

Those who attended, Did you guys remember the color wrist band..I am going to do that in our chapter.. they had an electronic wrist band and it blinks in 4 different colors.. each corner had a big colored bulb.. when your wrist band shows RED, you rush to the red bulb corner and interact with same colored first time LIM attendees.. that was a bright (color) idea. Loved it.. It was super fast networking and stays longer.

After rumbling with Randy and CEO Sunil we had a break. Nobody dare to miss the Curiosity landing? If you did, You missed a life time opportunity. NASA Rocket Scientist Adam Steltzner told us the plan and execution of Curiosity launch and successful landing. Inspirational - that’s the only word I can say. Spellbound.

Ok then we went to breakout sessions and I won’t be writing about breakout sessions. Did you get your book signed by PMI Founder Jim Snyder? Let’s jump into the PMI 50th Anniversary Celebration. After all day work, it’s let loose time.. the dance was like no tomorrow.. the band was drumming out the top dance numbers and the dancers were making their moves.. we bumped into so many new dancers and many hidden talent came out on that evening. Founder Jim Snyder and CEO Sunil were around, attendees never missed the change to take selfies. Sadly you can’t be alone.. the group grows bigger and bigger... me with the founder and CEO (with other team members in the frame)

With lunch came the LIMC 2019 graduation.. wow excited and fully gleaming class of LIMC.. one by one ascended the stage to receive their graduate certificate. It was a feast to see their passion and the energy they had for 2 years. Congratulations to #LIMC 2019 class.

Then came the jewel on the crown moment. Visit PMI HQ.. started in the chartered bus with many other 1st timers. Arrived in PMI HQ.. goosebumps as I saw the PMI board outside. We walked in to be greeted with big smile and snacks to welcome. After some refreshments, the tour begun. We walked all around the work place and heard the staff talking with us about the daily work, the projects, Datacenter, and agile team room. Some of us got the free paper editions of PM Network and other publications (good read for the return flight home). Finally out of the doors and everyone crowded outside to take that single pic of the day.

Back to the venue in the bus.. Oh traffic did not and can’t reduce our enthusiasm for the networking event at Field House. Music and smiles filled the air. Karaoke by Chapters on the stage. With friends and beer every noise sounds music, oops Did I say it loud?? all together night spent well. End of the night there were only two groups.. Friends and newly known friends.

Next day, Saturday. Global conference overlapped with LIM. The number increased multi fold.. can see only heads all around. Maybe half of the world PM population were there.. Met people from Tokyo, Paris, Beijing, Bangalore, Peru, Guatemala, Brazil, Chennai, etc. The exhibit hall had the PMI Bookstore and saw a long lineup for the books. Multiple booths and did i mention about the new branding. Yeah, we moved to the new era with new brand. And yeah, we didn't miss the group photo with all smiles. Check out the site and don't forget to download your new PMP/CAPM/and other certificates with the new logo.

Adam Grant, Wharton Professor opened the day with his address at the Terrace Ballroom. Attendees went ahead with their respective break-out sessions. Evening PMI Awards Gala was the highlight. Wow What a show!! Planned meticulously and executed flawlessly. Proud to be a project manager. The award goes to.. that the project of the year, was Montreal Rail project. And there were awards for different category.

After the gala, we walked next room for the coffee and dessert. The coffee had PMI in it, yes literally. The new logo was made on the coffee.

Met some more PMs and with heavy heart said bye to many. Retired to the hotel to pack my bags. Out of Philadelphia on Sunday.

The outcome in Numbers..

Days in Conference - 3 days

Sessions attended - 8

Favorite Swag item - 50th year golden pin

New Contacts made - 200+

Business cards count - 100+

New LinkedIn contacts - Countless.. still connecting

Thanks for reading. Contact me if any information needed about #pmilim or #pminac