Past Meetings

March 6th, 2008: FTCC Awards Presentation

When - March 6th at 6:30 PM
Where - Holiday Inn Express, 3025 North Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Florida 33607

Details:

The Suncoast STC is pleased to announce that it will present awards March 6th at 6:30 PM to the winners of the 2007/2008 Florida Technical Communication Competition. The chapter will present Merit, Excellence, and Distinguished awards, as well as one Best of Show award, to recognize the best examples of technical communications in the state of Florida, if not the entire USA.

A buffet-style dinner will be served and there will be no charge for attendance or the dinner. Come join your professional peers in this happy celebration at the Holiday Inn Express, 3025 North Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Florida 33607.

We hope to see you there.

August 2, 2007: Online Simulations, Instructional Design Software Demo

Presenter: John Sopchak

Description: Online simulations for IT training have been touted as the next big wave in training, and for good reason. Learners generally prefer training simulations because they offer complexity, realism, and an opportunity to practice new skills in a non-intimidating risk-free environment. Managers prefer training simulations because they result in more motivated end users with higher retention rates.

In the past, simulation training and related content was expensive and time-consuming to create. Now, however, there are powerful and easy to use simulation development tools available to create simulation content, documentation, and training materials that can be used for e-learning, classroom training or a blended approach. Perhaps the largest barrier to entry now is a lack of understanding of what is possible in the area of simulation training, tools, and content.

Let us show you STT Trainer as an example of such a tool and the value it can bring to you as trainers and to your end users. Since 1998, STT Trainer has helped clients develop high quality training programs for blended learning, e-learning and related documentation to enable smooth transition to new enterprise and software technologies for users, employees and their customers.

STT is part of Kaplan IT, a division of Kaplan Professional. Founded in 1938, Kaplan has helped transform the for-profit education industry by setting professional standards in an era of educational innovation, increasing globalization and technological advancement.

John Sopchak, Kaplan IT/STT Regional Manager based in Atlanta, and Wendy Passman, Kaplan IT/STT VP based in Bradenton, will be conducting the STT Trainer presentation/demonstration.

Link to site: www.stt-global.com

September 6, 2007: Top 10 Mistakes Writers Make Looking for Work

Presenter: Jack Molisani

Description: Have you ever submitted a resume for a position but never was called for an interview? Chances are you made one or more mistakes that scuttled your chance getting the interview.In this session, professional recruiter Jack Molisani will present the top 10 mistakes technical writers make when looking for work (contract, perm or outsource), with proactive tips on how to avoid these pitfalls and increase your chances of landing that next job or contract.

Need or want a new job? Don’t miss our September meeting!

About the Speaker

Jack Molisani is the president of ProSpring Inc., a staffing firm specializing in staff and contract technical writers: www.ProspringStaffing.com

Jack also produces The LavaCon Conference for Advanced Technical Communication Professionals: www.lavacon.org to be held in New Orleans October 28-30, 2007.

Note: Jack will be raffling off a free entrance to LavaCon 2007 at the meeting, so be sure to bring your business card for the drawing!

October 4, 2007: Defense Contracting with Lives in the Balance

Presenter: Geoffrey Moreland

Description: Coming soon.

November 1, 2007: Why Is A Microphone Like A Breath Mint? (And Nine Other Riddles To Help You Improve Your Presentation Skills).

Presenter: Dalton Hooper

Description:What makes the difference between an average speaker and an extraordinary speaker? You may be surprised at how simple it can be to make that leap.

Dalton Hooper has been delivering presentations to audiences for years. During that time, he has accumulated a list of 10 rules for setting oneself apart from the average ho-hum speaker, and be regarded as an extraordinary speaker.

Dalton uses his trademark humor to present these ten rules by associating each one with a riddle. By using this approach, Dalton’s presentation is entertaining, informative, and memorable.

About the Speaker

Dalton Hooper has held leadership positions within corporate America since 1979, including successful careers with AT&T and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. During that nearly 40+ year span, he has made hundreds of presentations and given countless speeches. Dalton is also the founder of Words and Wit, LLC (www.wordsandwit.com).

December 6, 2007: Documentation Show and Tell

Presenter: You!

Description: Last year’s documentation show-and-tell meeting was a big success. I want to do it again this year. Like last year, this year’s documentation show-and-tell meeting will include about a dozen or more different tech writers showing and talking about the deliverables they produce for their companies and clients. It is a unique opportunity to see how other technical writers approach and deliver documentation.

Janet Foley–Knowledge Management