Vibrant lights and music again welcomed the ASAE 2009 crowd for the Monday morning opening session. To kick the day off, Corinne Gibbons strolled onto the stage with guitar in-hand to serenade attendees. Singing since the age of 19, she now makes her home in Singapore where she started a company that conducts corporate teambuilding programs using choral singing as a tool to inspire and energize staff.

A little recognition

This year's class of CAEs were recognized in Tuesday's opening session. Several of the new CAEs commented on how the education and the honor will help them and their organizations moving forward. As one said, no matter the time and the effort, it was "totally worth it."

Now in its 50th year, John Graham, IV, CAE, said the program expects to see its 4,000th member honored during next year's Meeting & Expo in Los Angeles.

ASAE also took the opportunity to thank the conference sponsors this morning, recognize the 2009 Class of Fellows, and introduce many attendees to the Diversity Executive Leadership Program and recognize this year's DELP scholars.