President's Perspective - Fall, 2022
By Daniel Goyette on Wednesday, October 5, 2022
I’m writing from a hotel in Malmö , Sweden, having just wrapped up participation in the ISA’s 2022 Annual Conference. Of course, I’m writing this at 3am, right up against the deadline for going to print, but Wow! What an energizing event in this post-COVID world to see the turnout here and feel like we are getting back together.
Though there is an “I” in International, it definitely was “we” are here as one. A big thank you and shout to our lovely and most gracious hosts, the Sweden Chapter; this was a wonderful event in a beautiful setting. Thank you for sharing Malmö with us.
I know every year the ISA Annual Conference welcomes members and guests from all over the world, but being from North America it was so invigorating to meet other members from Sweden, Norway, Germany, and the Czech Republic (to just name a few). The Vice President of the Ontario, Canada chapter struck up a conversation with me before a presentation and we both found it amazing to be there as part of representation for our respective chapters.
Most of us have been to a regional event for the day to gather CEU’s, or to a chapter annual conference, or to the ISA Annual Conference. COVID has reminded me how special these events and gatherings are. I’m sorry that I was not able to be present in Oakland for the WCISA conference this past May, but I’m confident that there are others who have come to the same conclusion, or have had the realization wash over them that they did not know how much they missed being around their peers, colleagues, friends - our arboricultural family.
I’m keeping my first message short, but heartfelt, in recognizing and remembering that we gather at in-person events not only to learn and stay abreast of emerging topics, but to feel connected to one another and our industry. We need to remind ourselves that we are not doing this in a vacuum and there is much to more to learn.
Thank you and I look forward to my term as Western Chapter President.
Daniel Goyette, WCISA President 2022-23