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Report 4, April 29, 2010

Thursday

It’s 6:30PM, and this has been the first opportunity to write.

My day started at 7AM with the orientation of the Reference Subcommittee.

First business session (8:30) :The early sessions involve some fairly important, but not very interesting stuff. We go over the standing rules of the business conference – and vote for their approval.

We have an official count of voting delegates (165) and trustees (15), for a total of 180 voters. This is used to calculate what a majority or 2/3 vote is.

We look at the recorded motions that may relate to one another and group them in such a way as to work on them in close proximity to each other.

Ordinarily, the Literature related motions are dealt with first, but since there is a motion on the agenda looking to equalize the use of the words compulsive eater and compulsive overeater, we found that a sizable segment of the body felt that to vote on revised versions of these pamphlets, where wholesale reductions of the word overeater were present, was to put the horse before the cart.

Therefore, we had someone move to postpone discussion of ALL of the literature motions, and placing the one causing all of the consternation very next in the order of those to be discussed and voted on.

More morning activities:

Reports: The Chairman, Region Chairs, WSBC Committees, the Managing Director, Treasurer, Convention Planning, Lifeline Research, Strategic Plan, etc.

Interesting factoids:

Greysheeters Anonymous has agreed to purchase the rights to the use of the Grey Sheet, which is also identified as the Plan A: Low Carbohydrate food plan in the Dignity of Choice. OA would not be restricted from using the term Grey Sheet, and GSA would pay $9,000 in three installments.

One of the OA regions is exploring the Virtual Attendance at their Region Assemblies, so that they needed be physically present. Implementation bugs are being worked out.

Region Six (NY, New England, Eastern Canada) has gone bilingual (English/French) on their website.  They have also been very successful using Subway Ads for OA.

Lifeline:  For those who still subscribe, Lifeline has a whole new, glossy in-color look.  They believe after raising their subscription price from$15 to $23, that they will erase the deficit at which they’ve been running for years.

Next Activity: Election Nominee Qualifications

There are openings to be filled for several Region Trustees, and two General Service Trustees. The Region Trustees are the bridge between the regional service body and World Service. They troubleshoot problems within the region and hold workshops on traditions, service…they mediate when intergroups or groups want an impartial person to conduct an inventory process.

The GST’s are the trustees that manage the business being conducted at the World Service Office, and insure the financial wellness of OA, Inc.

Anyway, each one speaks for 5-10 minutes, and then responds to questions from the floor about their qualifications.  It’s usually pretty good natured stuff designed to let us get to know them better, but it has also been very difficult for some applicants for whom being under the scrutiny of 200 of their own is foreign to them.

This year, we had a situation that I’d never experienced in my previous 12 Conferences. 

The nominee from New Zealand was a fellow that must have weighed 350 pounds, yet on his candidate applicant said that he considered himself at a “normal body size”, though he was experiencing some medical issues that had caused an increase in his weight.

The qualifications for Trustee include five years of current abstinence, plus two years at a “healthy body weight”.  His application was conspicuously devoid of any reference to loss of amounts of weight, his top weight, how much he had lost, or how much he had gained during his health challenge.

People line up after their speech, and the questions ensure.

I was second in line…I first commended him for his willingness to serve and his courage for putting himself out there.

I then ask him to clarify what he weighed before OA, how much weight he had lost, and how his medical condition affected his weight. I also asked whether his body size was a contributing factor to his health issues.

The answers came without a lot of pause, but they remained unclear.

Two people later, anther trustee went back to the Trustee qualifications and simply asked him whether he felt that he was currently at what would be considered to be a healthy body weight, and he replied in the negative.

As awkward and uncomfortable the whole situation was…as cruel as it might seem to some of you readers, we witness the Fellowship asking hard questions in defense of her credibility in the eyes of the rest of the world.

The Board of Trustees indicated that they would confer on the matter and see whether the nominee still wanted to run for the position, or withdraw.

So this story will continue…probably with tomorrows entry.

As for the rest of the day’s activities….

A new pamphlet, a couple of years in the making entitled “A Common Solution: Diversity and Recovery” was discussed and ultimately defeated for release to the fellowship this year, in large part because of the absence of any stories from Black or Hispanic Members.  It is an arduous process to create new OA literature, and it is usually for the good that it is this hard to make it through the gauntlet.

So, in between the 8:30-11:30AM and 1:30-4:30PM business sessions, I had to meet with the Reference committee during lunch time, from 4:45 – 6PM, and I’m on my way back right now for another meeting at 7:30 – all to review and prepare for examining other motions that will him the Conference floor tomorrow.

Such is the life of your World Service Slacker, Neil Rauch

It has been a good system for me to write these daily blogs….too much is happening to keep it all straight and drop a 20-page report on you later.

Let me know if you’re enjoying them.

By the way, I got an mpeg. file of my share on the sponsorship workshop, and I believe it will end up on the BAIG website.

Stay tuned for more from the land of Recovery, Albuquerque, New Mexico. ...................................................................................

Report 3, April 29, 2010

 

Dateline: Wednesday

 

Wow…busy day today…first of several in a row.

This report’s a bit longer, so get a cup of tea and sit back and relax.

 

We begin with Tuesday night’s workshop…Youth in Recovery

 

This was a difficult topic to hear about, as OA has not found a workable method to communicate with youth members, and provide them with a systematic way of dealing with the issue of their compulsive eating.

 

There are many reasons for this.

 

1)      They are dependent upon the cooperation of family

2)     They cannot transport themselves to meetings

3)     They are somewhat at the mercy of the way their parents eat

4)     The needs of an 8-year old are different than that of a 15 year old whose needs are different than a 25-year old.

5)     The emotional maturity of a young food addict may make an in-depth working the steps impossible at this time of their lives

6)     There are legal issues connected with the oversight of young people.

A possible solution:  Finding meetings that are willing to list themselves as Teen-Friendly. In their formats, they include language to the effect that when a young person is in the audience, that remarks are directed to them, and sharing on adult topics be limited or avoided entirely.  As you might expect, this can create ambivalence within the group.

On of the leaders of the meeting spoke eloquently about his own experience of 30 years in OA, coming in when he was 17 years old…the only male, the only boy. As if he didn’t already feel out of place and ashamed of who and what he was.  It was a poignant reminder to all of us how it feels to be an outsider, not even knowing if you’d like to become an insider.

Another suggestion: Run concurrent adult and youth meetings in the same location.  Have one of the members willing to chaperone the meeting if kids arrive.

Literature related to Youth in OA. There is some, but it is limited.

The consensus was that a better job could be done to make available literature that made communication between the compulsive eater child with his parents, who may themselves be at their wit’s end after either harping on or trying to tiptoe around the subject.

O-Anon, the organization that provides support for the family members of OA members is virtually defunct in the U.S., further worsening a bad situation.

Beyond the few suggestions being offered, the outlook wasn’t great.


However, it was suggested that OA would greatly benefit from using various contemporary social networking media to find and offer help to kids. Essentially to meet them where they are, and to keep a positive attitude towards the future of OA and youthful members

Wednesday

This is pretty much what the normal day in the life of your World Service Delegate.

Make sure to hug your delegate when you see him (hint).

I was fortunate enough to get down to the 7AM meeting in time to be asked to lead. After saying my morning prayers, it struck me that a great topic for the meeting would be “The Spirituality of Abstinent Eating”.

We had so many negative rituals that blocked us from our higher power. Focusing on the many small but important actions that signify our willingness to serve God and be reminded of our powerlessness and His power.

These were comments made during this great meeting:

·   It never looks like enough. I need God’s help to abstain.

·   I have a Ph.D. in Science and Engineering and I couldn’t figure out that eating too much made me fat.

·   Eating more than you need is a function of selfishness, because it means that excess food is more important to me than being of maximum service.

·   I set a dignified place setting, light a candle and say a prayer before eating.

·   A prayer: God, please come between me and the food so that I don’t let food come between you and me.”

·   I pray when I eat that the food nourishes my body while God nourishes my spirit.

·   I left everything that I thought I knew at the door when I came into OA.

·   Eating is like taking my vitamins. I stopped having to “delight my taste buds.”

·   I had to make sure not to confuse the words abstinence and obstinence.

·   Food is not a theme park to me any more…it’s not a roller coaster ride.

·   “God is OK with me weighing and measuring” The noise in my head has stopped.


I want to point out that this is my 13th WSBC, and I have NEVER heard from so many people that were weighing and measuring their food.

Wednesday Group Workshop – How Does Service Serves Us?

We were divided into 20 break-out groups, and each given a question to talk about. Each group then summarized their thoughts and presented their reports.

(This information will be available on the OA Website in about two weeks)

Here were the questions, and some thoughts here and there…

1)     How does living the traditions help our recovery?

2)     How do you engage new people in service using a personal touch? Invite specific people to do tasks that may suit them. Ask them if they are willing, and if they have the time. Mentor them in the job that YOU are currently doing

3)     Making service FUN. If your meeting or intergroup has that attitude, you will more readily activate the enthusiasm of a newcomer.

4)     How can we get uninvolved members to become involved?  Emphasize the importance of rotation of service.  Stop volunteering just because the room goes silent for five seconds. Ask potential volunteers, “Who wants recovery today.”

5)     Does my service reflect my gratitude to OA for my life? It’s a privilege to serve

6)     Why should I be a sponsor? What might happen if I didn’t?  We do it until we WANT to do it. We will learn more than we give. All people with strong recovery sponsor and have a sponsor

7)     How does service strengthen OA? What does a lack of service do to OA? Enthusiasm is contagious. The strongest meetings seem to have the most service positions. THANK the people who are doing service at your meeting. Service gets us out of isolation.

8)     Are we training sponsees to follow in our footsteps?

9)     What can we tell people who say “I’m too busy to do service?” Service teaches us powerful lessons. We learn to overcome our fears through service within a safe environment.

10) Are we using step12 to do service? Are you willing to break your anonymity Practice the principles at work, with family, in the real world. Be a power of example. Carry your “before” picture and show it people who might need OA. Tell people about OA without any expectations…be willing to plant a seed.           Say “yes” whenever you are asked to do service. Get sponsees started in service very early in their “OA careers”

11)  How do the traditions apply to your life in program? We learn about the spiritual principles of Unity, Trust, Cooperation, Self-Support, Self-Control, No People on Pedestals, Rights and Responsibilities, Finding Our Place in The World, Keep It Simple, Solidarity.

12) How can the group encourage sponsorship? Sign-in book (specify available to sponsor), stress the tools/steps, hold events/workshops.

13)  Should the format say that people are expected to hold service positions?

14)  Ideas for mentoring? Write up responsibilities for each service job. Have an intergroup buddy/job-share system.

15) How does resentment have an impact on Service? May motivate someone to take on a position of become more vocal at business meeting. Positive use of negative energy. Act our way into a right way of thinking. Learn to practice patience, acceptance…the pain of resentment can be a catalyst to change.

Committee Meetings – 10:30-11:30AM, 1:30-4:30 – Wednesday

This is where a lot of the planning and execution of OA initiatives happens.

The committees formulate a game plan, and set themselves up with short and long term goals that might be done by the end of the week, or not until next year’s WSBC. Committees include Bylaws, Finance, Twelfth Step Within Profession Outreach, Literature, Technology, Public Information, Diversity.

I am on the Bylaws Committee. And I was sent by Region 7 to be one of the 20 (two delegates from each of the ten regions) to sit on the Reference Subcommittee of Bylaws – the group that has to unravel, polish or simplify a motion that has been torn apart on the floor of the Conference.

In addition to all of the other meetings that we have scheduled, the Reference Committee also meets at lunch and/or dinner or whenever we can in between the other sessions because basically, it’s the only time we have to work on these things.

It sounds grueling – and it is challenging, but it’s where the action is, and no place else I’d rather be.

So, I will now try to explain this stuff so that your eyes don’t glaze over…

What we’re working on: Every year, motions relating to Bylaws, policies and such        are voted on, and when something becomes “official,” those changes are documented by inserting them into a Bylaws or Policy Manual. Sometimes, the manual needs to be gone over to make sure that the changes and the ripples that they cause in other areas are correctly synchronized or cleaned up.

This year, it is our job to look at the manual, re-format the whole thing, and make sure we catch all of the inconsistencies.

Plus, there are ways in which certain procedures have been carried out for years that have never been codified in the manual. We have taken on the challenge of chasing all of those down and putting them in there.

Finally, we are reviewing the manual to make sure that we hone or simplify the “legalese” sounding things and make them more user friendly. That actually will end up being the part that I enjoy the most, as a wordsmith and basically anal guy when it comes to documents

The moral of the story is, when you show up for service, God puts you where you can do the greatest good. You don’t always have the most fun, but you learn the most, because He knows what you’ve become ready to learn.

Oh yeah, I was voted the Committee Vice Chair for the coming year. Go Service!!

Conference Literature Review Committee (7-9PM)

 

 

Each piece of OA literature comes up for review every 7 years.

This year, these seven items have been modified for approval by the body.

To The Teen                                                  A Common Solution: Diversity and Recovery

Welcome Back                                              Sponsoring Through the Twelve Steps

The Tools of Recovery                                 To The Family of the Compulsive Eater

Questions and Answers

 

Before they reach this point, each piece of literature is reviewed by a committee of up to 17-18 delegates, who propose changes that remain true to OA’s position of a variety of issues, while integrating new information (i.e. adding in phone and online meetings in the Tools pamphlet).

From the committee, modified literature goes back to the board of trustees who can either opt to have it go forward, make additional suggestions, or send it back to committee for more work.  It is a somewhat painstaking process that insures that all modifications will be taken quite seriously.

So, on Wednesday night, before the first business sessions, each piece of literature is presented for questions only (not debate, not to express unhappiness or disappointment). We are able to as about the back story, thought process or motivation of those who actually rewrote sections of the work

It was pointed out that people have often work on a particular document for a year or more, and they have an emotional stake in its passage….and that we should all remember that our trusted servants have done their best to serve the fellowship in trying to upgrade and improve what the public sees with an OA logo on it.

The seven items before us represents an impressive body of work.

Many of the committee members will rotate out, hoping to see their pet project embraced by the body.

That brings us to the close of Wednesday’s activity.

About 20 of us closed down the hot tub, which has become a daily ritual.                          

A chance to talk program while getting pruney.

A chance to find a moment’s calm before the next day’s march

Because of my enhanced schedule (first meeting at 7AM), I may not be able to spend as much time blogging to you all for the next couple of days.

You’ve had a lot to read, so maybe you can just take some time to catch your breath.

 

Feel free to say a prayer for me that I find the energy to serve you all well.

And let me know if you find these reports helpful, and/or if there is some other area of focus that would help capture the essence of this beautiful conference.

                                                                        Stay Tuned –

Neil R. – Blogging animal



.................................................................................

Report 2, April 27, 2010

After lunch, there were three back to back to back workshops. Outside of the fact that the room was about 52 degrees, it was an informative few hours.  One of my friends lent me her pink sweatshirt, which went very well with my red tee-shirt.
 
The theme of this conference is "Half a Century: One World of Growth" as OA approaches its fiftieth Birthday.
 
"2010 - Looking Where We've Been, Where We're Going"
 
A look at the state of OA in the midst of a technological transformation.
We have far fewer meetings (thousands less) now than we did in the 70's.
And yet we have hundreds of phone and online meetings that boast 100's of people at a given time
 
Our live meetings have, according to member input are, by and large, smaller.
 
When asked to imagine what "a perfect OA" might look like in the future, one of the co-leader talked about a place where all networking sites, and forms of media would advertise or publicize OA's existence....live meetings would be available a short distance from wherever you lived...phone and online meetings were accessible 24/7...Sponsors would be registered and available for anyone who needed one.
 
The question was asked: Is the proliferation of all of these virtual tools helping or hurting OA?  Were we falling into the trap of expecting recovery to be easier or more convenient, and in the process, working less hard for what we need??
 
Our OA meetings seem to be falling into two categories:
1)      Predominately Action-oriented meetings
2)     Predominately Fellowship-oriented meetings
 
Fellowship meetings were generally consider less strong, less step/tool/tradition oriented, with more sharing on the negative aspects of addiction.
 
Action meetings were about working the steps, the positive lessons learned, etc.
 
There was a certain amount of acceptance that fewer people were working a "full OA recovery program, and that OA's best hope is to take measures to strengthen our groups and intergroups as we make strategic inroads into new areas of technology. 
 
Question: What sort of a "footprint are we leaving" as we work our program?

Recovery Is Contagious - 50 Years / 75 Countries
 
·How does your personal recovery helped spread the message?
·Does talking about OA history to newcomers help keep them coming back?
·How do you share this with newcomers and other members of the fellowship?
 
Thoughts shared:
 
Just be abstinent - model recovery and share your own personal history.
Even if we just plant a seed - even 2nd hand through someone else - we are helping
 
When sharing personally - Ask yourself:

What do I have to give?

Would I want to be with someone like me?

 
If people don't want what we have...like what they hear...they won't keep coming.
 
Quotes were taken from, and it was recommended to read the book "Beyond Our Wildest Dreams" OA'S story as written by Rozanne S., OA's co-founder, in order to see that whatever we're going through, OA's history is rich in prior experience dealing with the same issues.
 
Put extra money in the basket - give the fellowship a chance to have someone else do 12-step work through your contributions.
 
We are an anonymous fellowship, not a secret society. Don't be ashamed or self-conscious about being a member of OA. Tell your therapist, or health practitioner to feel free to have patients call you with questions about OA. Why are we ashamed?
 
As sponsors, work with others to help them learn about OA's history and service structure in addition to helping them get abstinent. As people move and relocate, they will be better prepared to bring that knowledge with them wherever they go.
 
General Sharing:
 
- Family members came to OA because "I just looked happier." Wear your recovery.
- Service above the group level requires patience & cooperation. Strong life lessons.
- Share the 12-step model with Doctor, Therapist, Minister. Let them carry the message in a more informed way too.
- Practicing the principles outside of the program is the best advertisement for OA.
  Attraction is our most powerful tool
 
 
Smiles of Service - "We Are Not a Glum Lot" (Humor in Recovery)
 
A very powerful and uplifting look at recovery through smiling eyes.
 
Questions:
1) Rule # 62 (From the AA 12+12 - "Don't take yourself too damned serious")
2) How has humor strengthened your recovery?
3) In what way does laughter mend the damage I have done to my body - ego- self esteem?
 
Where we used to berate ourselves, we now can use self-effacing humor
Laughing together allows us to see some of the more unmanageable aspects of life in disease in a way that's easier to digest.
 
Laughter is like "inner jogging"
 
Bring up the topic of humor at a meeting and you will definitely find that many of the people that you thought were very serious are actually quite funny.
 
Stories...
 
Co-leader Bernie (long time sober in AA and of Cuban descent) talked about how at one of his favorite meetings, they served a big spread afterwards and he never ate anything. They jokingly started referring to him as "St Bernardo", which happened coincidentally, to be the name of a dog that also is often attributed to carry a small keg of liquor around his neck.
 
He also talked about when he first came in...and sat in the back. Once a long-timer asked why he always sat in the "shoe section". When he asked what that was, he was told that "that's where you find all the sneakers and the slippers and the loafers.?
 
Finally, he told the group about when, early in recovery, he was sponsored by a woman that told him to commit his food to her son in case he called and she wasn't there.  Her son at 14 years old and Bernie was probably 50 years old.  We would leave his workplace, walk to a pay phone in a mall, and give away his food in an open payphone area to a 14-year old kid...surely a lesson in humility for him
 
Other speakers had much to share about adventures in service that led to Keystone Kops (I'm dating myself) misadventures and hijinks.
 
On a personal note, I mentioned that I have had my own personal adaptation of one part of "How It Works" when it says "Some of tried to hold onto our old ideas, and the result was "Neil", until "I" let go absolutely.
 
You definitely had to be there, and, if you're lucky, and start doing service above the group level, one day you will be.
 
Stay tuned for more exciting adventures of                         "Neil, Delegate and OA Bozo"

.................................................................................

Report 1, April 27, 2010

 

World Service Business Conference - Day One
 
Well, I'm sitting here in my room in Albuquerque writing my first entry in what I hope is an ongoing blog of the goings on at the World Service Business Conference.
 
I flew at 2PM and after almost forgetting to take my laptop from the security checkpoint, I got to the gate and was pleasantly surprise to find that an old friend and service mentor from New Hampshire had a connecting flight through Baltimore, and we got to gab and catch up for the whole four hour flight. It was a fitting beginning for what always proves to be a week of spiritual surprises doing this sort of services.
 
Oh yeah, I also forgot to pack my toiletries bag so my wife called to say that she was shipping it to me overnight. The best laid plans...
 
Since I only eat Kosher food, I had to studiously prepare and pack so that I could have what I needed throughout the week. In the end, I brought about half of my food - easy to open, tightly packaged items - most of my proteins, all of my breakfasts, and, of course, a meal to eat on the plane. 
 
The program is highly portable, and it has become second nature to begin to make notes of everything that I think I'll need starting about a week before, so that the actual packing is absent the usual last second worrying and stress. Abstinence allows me the foresight and the insight to see trouble coming and sidestep most of the problems that used to trip me up.
 
Region 7 rents a van and provides transportation to and from the airport for virtually all of their 16 area delegates...as well as providing trips to the supermarket, etc.  John A. (Trustee Donna A's trusty husband), scooped me up and we made it back to the lovely Hotel Albuquerque at Olde Town by 5:15.
 
I was asked to be one of three co-leaders of a workshop on sponsorship and was very excited about it. In fact, I had planned to record myself and submit the recording to Region Six, who told me that they were looking for potential keynote speakers for their upcoming Region Convention in November.
 
I wrote and wrote about how valuable sponsorship is...to the person rendering the service, to the person receiving the support, and mostly to the fellowship of OA for carrying forward the principles and values that allow us to grow and change to become the people that we always wanted to be.
 
So, as I stepped to the mike, I set up my digital voice recorder to capture the pearls of wisdom that were soon to follow.  About three minutes into my talk, I looked down and saw that the recording device had stopped because the battery had gone dead.
 
G-d is a very funny fellow, and he decided I needed another dose of humility to show me that service is best performed without any hidden agendas or motives.
 
Three of us shared on the topic. In addition to describing how we sponsor, the format also asked us each to address the following three questions:
1)      When is it appropriate to start sponsoring?
2)     Should men sponsor women and women sponsor men?? If not, why not?
3)     IS there a difference between a best friend and a sponsor.
 
I emphasized the importance of ridding the body of the impurities that fog the mind and destroy the body before getting into the step work - building up the necessary defenses to ward off the irrational thinking that leads to compulsive eating and relapse.
 
Another speaker (30 years in the program) shared that she initially worked the program as I did, but found a freedom that she previously lacked using that style when she studied the recovery process as originally laid out in the big book.
 
OA suffers from a real shortage of sponsors, so it was agreed that whatever way people found that produced abstinence and emotional sobriety was ultimately good for OA.
 
As for the questions - I said that if a person was able to accumulate 90-days of continuous abstinence, they had something of great value to pass along to someone coming up behind them.  Others thought letting your sponsor help you decide, or waiting until the sponsee had completed the 5th or 8th step.
 
Question 2:  Opposite-gender sponsorship:  Again, it seemed that the longer in program, the less we tended to generalize that this as a bad thing. Recovery brings maturity, and each situation can be taken on its individual merits. As a man in a mostly female fellowship, I always found a dearth of other men, so when I raised my hand to sponsor, odds were that I'd have women asking me.  With rare exception, working through the issues that came with dealing of members of the opposite left us both better for it.
 
Question 3: Whether a sponsor is like a best friend.
I have very definite feelings that while a sponsor can become a good friend, the focus of the relationship is program and recovery, and if both parties aren't careful, the effect of the sponsor, once they cross over into friendship, can become watered down or compromised. They may lose the "distance" required to be able to say things to the sponsee that they may not like to hear, or might take umbrage at from a friend.  This was fairly representational of the other leaders.

 

 
Day Two
 
Up at 6AM...ate breakfast, did my morning prayers and scrambled down to the 7AM OA meeting.  Always a beautiful experience...filled with people with 6 and 1o and 20 and 25 years of abstinence and loads of inspirational shares.
 
The topic:  What was our "turning point?" as in "We came to a turning point; we asked His protection and care with complete abandon..." Here were some of the nuggets from this morning's meeting:
 

"I may die with this disease, but I don't have to die from it."

"I had to work all of the steps, not just all of the tools."

"My mind is my enemy. I'm not responsible for the first thought in my head, but I am for the second"

"I realized that I had a disease. It was not my fault."

"When I reached out to G-d for help, the help didn't always come in the form that I expected."

"I used to ask "What do I have to lose?" After I got abstinent, I realized that I have a great deal to lose, and that my life and my abstinence were worth fighting for."

 

Stay tuned for more episodes of "Neil in Albuquerque"

 

And encourage others to sign in and get a taste of what our annual business extravaganza is all about