The last two weeks have have seen Belfast in headlines, however not for the things I saw of Belfast a week earlier...

JCI UK held its 2012 national conference at the Hilton in Belfast, which saw two days packed with training, competitions in public speaking and debating, inspirational business speakers, networking and meeting friends old and new! The highlight of the weekend was a Gala dinner and National awards held at the Titanic Experience, with a function room designed in the theme of the magnificent ship that was built by the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast. JCI Belfast did an amazing job this year in hosting the national conference.

Following the opening of the weekend on Friday afternoon with networking and an opening talk, public speaking completion and mentoring sessions with the Princes Trust. Later that even was an excellent social event and Extempore competition  (off the cuff speaking for 2mins about a randomly selected object with only 15secs preparation) at the Ulster reform club. The evening was then followed with some great good and traditional Irish music and dancing...

I had the pleasure of attending the weekend on behalf of JCI Sheffield and supporting JCI Sheffield  at the National Council Meeting. For those that don't know what happens at these meetings attending one at a conference is a great way to find out more of the discussions that take place. Saturday was filled with a treasure hunt (for those not attending council meeting) more great lectures and networking then finishing off with the National debating competition. I team captain for the JCI Yorkshire debating team; joined by fellow JCI Sheffield member and Past President Steven Vandevelde and JCI Barnsley 2013 Deputy President and Business Director Ben Hawley. The debating competition was another great experience with JCI Yorkshire beating a tough JCI London team to then face JCI South made up of JCI Cambridge, JCI London and JCI Southampton in the final. It was a close debate but Yorkshire managed to keep hold of the title for a second year in a row!!

The weekend finished off with an amazing Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony at the Titanic Experience. The JCI Gala Dinner is a black tie event and an excellent way to celebrate the year in style with some nice food, drink and company to reflect on the great projects, achievements and actions of our members during the year. JCI Sheffield were recognised for their good work during the year winning National Awards for Most Outstanding Personal Development Programme, Inter-Organisation Collaboration Project and Best Local Community Empowerment Programme. We also received certificates of merit for Most Outstanding Member for Vicky Bulman JCI Sheffield Marketing Director and Most Outstanding Preparation by a Deputy President for me. I was also recognised for the Most Outstanding Legacy for a National Project I ran this year to setup a national leadership training programme, JCI UK LEAP (leadership excellence in action programme).

This was my second national conference and another amazing weekend. The 2013 JCI National Conference will be hosted by JCI Leeds at Oulton Hall. Plans for this are already well underway and its set to be another amazing conference. I can wait to go and look forward to a great year in build up to it!

Thanks,