We are Linda Vo-Green, Krista Collins and Lindsey Barranco of the Atlanta-area Evaluation Association (AaEA), and your chairs for the Local Arrangements Working Group for Evaluation 2016 in Atlanta.
AaEA was initiated in 2000 to provide our 400+ community of local evaluators with networking and professional development opportunities. We work closely with the local Independent Evaluation Consultant Group, and recently started a Pro-bono committee connecting non-profits to in-kind program planning & evaluation services with the aim of building the evaluation capacity of organizations and strengthening the skills of evaluators.
In our world of evaluation, Atlanta is probably best known for the exemplary work being done within the public health sector. Home to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as many evaluation consulting organizations and education programs, Atlanta is at the forefront of the intersection between public health and evaluation theory, methods and practice.
Did you know that Atlanta is also home to many of the leading non-profit organizations? Atlanta prides itself on a commitment to social justice and improving opportunities and outcomes for individuals and communities. As an introduction to our city, we are excited to share with you this week’s posts that showcase some of the great evaluation work being done by Atlanta evaluators dedicated to making this world a better place.
Rad Resource: Stay current on AaEA news by checking out our website, Facebook, and LinkedIn pages. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive invitations to AaEA educational webinars throughout the year. If you’re in town, join us each month at social events and informational meetings to connect with local evaluators and discuss the variety of projects going on in our city.
This September we are bringing back our Fall Membership event! Likely taking advantage of the great local craft beer scene, we will invite the greater Atlanta evaluation community to come and learn more about AaEA, network with local colleagues and build excitement for the upcoming conference and conference theme of Evaluation + Design.
Lesson Learned: Book your travel early.
For the 18th year in a row, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson airport received the title of busiest airport in the world. Good news for you – this means there are lots of deals if you book early! Check out Delta, Southwest, American, Frontier and Spirit airlines for discounted flights for your trip to the conference.
Hot Tip: What to Visit When You Come to Atlanta
Stay tuned for more information about Atlanta during the second LAWG-sponsored week in September. We’ll be sharing our local guide and provide more details on where to go, what to eat, and how to get around town.
We are all looking forward to seeing you in Atlanta!
We’re looking forward to October and the Evaluation 2016 annual conference all this week with our colleagues in the Local Arrangements Working Group (LAWG). Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this aea365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the aea365 webpage so that we may enrich our community of practice. Would you like to contribute to aea365? Review the contribution guidelines and send your draft post to aea365@eval.org.