"Tempting New Technologies - The UNH Cooperative Extension 2007 Conference" is a statewide event for all staff to learn about programs, gain new knowledge, improve skills and socialize with colleagues. The date is May 16 and the place is the Memorial Union Building on the UNH Durham campus.

All staff are invited to participate in this professional development conference and I anticipate your full involvement that day. You can register now.

I am pleased to announce our keynote speaker will be Dr. Woodie Flowers. Dr. Flowers received national recognition in his role as host for the PBS television series Scientific American Frontiers from 1990 to 1993 and received a New England EMMY Award for a special PBS program on design. He is the Pappalardo Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Distinguished Partner at Olin College.

Dr. Flowers participates in the design of the FIRST Robotics Competition game each year. He has served as a National Advisor to FIRST since the inception of the FIRST Robotics Competition. Dr. Flowers will speak on Gracious Professionalism, Lifelong Learning and Change in Organizations.

The Awards Committee is preparing special presentations at our lunch session. The Maynard and Audrey Heckel Extension Educator Fellow Award will also be presented. Plan to arrive in plenty of time for check-in and light refreshments, the registration table opens at 8:15 am right outside the Granite State Room of the MUB. The conference starts promptly at 9 am and concludes at 3:45 pm.

All staff are asked to complete the online form even if they are presenting a workshop or are excused from attending the conference. Twelve dynamic workshops are offered and space is limited in several of them, so sign up early to get your first choice. Workshop assignments are on a "first come, first served" basis.

Register by May 10. Please pay special note to the parking information and a map of the campus.

A special attraction this year: the UNH Bookstore will again offer all conference participants a 10 percent discount on books and 20 percent off giftware if you are wearing your UNHCE nametag.

Special thanks to the Conference Planning Committee for its excellent work in designing this educational and fun-filled event. Members are Charlene Baxter, Shane Bradt, Sue Cagle, David Foote, Becky Levesque, Sadie Puglisi, Gail Ramsey, Deb Russell, Sarah Smith, Barbara Wright and Holly Young.