Hello,
As CADCA’s Vice President of Communications & Meetings, I have a unique perspective on our events, including the National Leadership Forum. As we prepare for the 30th annual Forum, February 3-6 2020, I thought I would share some perspective on this special event, and the ways I have seen it change over the years.
First, CADCA’s National Leadership Forum is an event unlike any I have seen or planned before. The energy that prevention professionals from across the world bring to this gathering is unparalleled. This February, nearly 3,000 people packed into the Gaylord National hotel, eager to learn from one another, provide each other with skills, and speak to their Senators and Representatives about how their policy decisions will impact the lives of the people in their communities.
As we look ahead to February, we expect Forum 2020 to be even bigger than it was this year, with a special 30th anniversary celebration that encompasses where the prevention movement started, the work we are doing now, and our hopes for the future of this movement. This is embodied in our theme for 2020: “Prevention, Progress, Possibilities.”
Each year, I am completely awestruck by the ideas and energy that come from our attendees. When the National Leadership Forum started 30 years ago, we had just 650 attendees. Today, as I make arrangements for an estimated 3,000+ attendees, including 400+ youth, I am confident that the ideas and energy they bring to this event will undoubtedly change the face of prevention in the U.S. and worldwide.
Together, we are learning how to respond to substance misuse trends, building skills to address the needs of our communities, and fostering relationships that remind us we are not alone in our efforts to create and maintain safe, healthy, and drug-free communities.
For those who are attending the National Leadership Forum for the first time this year, prepare for a whirlwind week that will not only energize you to continue the work you’re doing, but will provide you with specific skills and resources to take back home to address the issues your community is facing.
For those who are coming back to the National Leadership Forum, you will experience an event unlike any CADCA has put on in years past. This year, we are proud to present some of the most engaging speakers, informative sessions, and groundbreaking partnerships we have ever had. We know you will love what we have to offer.
See you in February,
Angelique Wilkins
Vice President, Communications and Meetings
