It's Wednesday, and by this time in a conference I have been going full-throttle for a few days, learning a ton and having a blast. But now I find my energy flagging, my attention wandering and my feet aching. In fact, it's about the time in a conference when typically many of us may hit the proverbial "wall," right?

Please note I said "typically" we have all hit the wall. This year, in spite of my desire to trade my heels for sneakers and my wishing for a longer attention span, I am powering through to recognize all the great benefits this year's conference has brought — new perspectives from my colleagues in different disciplines, tips on easily incorporating social media into my business life, and insights into ways an ERM program might help evaluate and mitigate risk more effectively. I especially identified with the "notice, lead and disrupt" message from this morning's keynote speaker, and I definitely understand why this year's IASA President Louise Ziemann choose knowledge and innovation "@ work" for her theme!

However, there is another reason I am feeling especially inspired on this particular Wednesday (I'll admit, for somewhat selfish reasons). As many of you may know, I am the incoming IASA President for the association's 2013-2014 fiscal year. What does that mean exactly? In the coming months, I have the opportunity to influence and direct the initiatives undertaken by IASA in an even greater way than in my time as a volunteer over the past 15-plus years.