Thank you to all user group conference attendees who made the 2008 Skyward User Group conferences another successful year.  From Michigan down to Texas, Skyward users were introduced to new features, learned tricks on current features, and networked with peers from across their respective states.  Although some attendees walked into the conference as mere beginners, all walked out with a fresh perspective on how to use Skyward to help with their district’s day-to-day administrative duties.

Skyward users had over 600 sessions to choose from at the 11 conferences.  These sessions covered everything from state reporting to managing school-based activity accounts.  Although the expansive number of sessions serves as a great reason to attend a user group conference, the networking between peers and colleagues is even more beneficial to the attendee.

Sheri Mathis, a PEIMS Coordinator from Springtown ISD in Texas said, “The Texas Skyward User Group Conference is very beneficial to users.  Not only do you get instruction from Skyward staff but you also get one-on-one interaction with other Skyward users across the state.  While talking amongst each other we can problem solve and find new solutions.”

Attendees certainly had a good time networking with each other because total conference attendance for the 2008 User Groups was up over 41% from the 2007 User Groups.  Skyward is also looking forward to having the 2009 International Conference in sunny Orlando, Florida, where attendance numbers are certain to rise again.

Congratulations to the Wisconsin user group, Software and Service User Group, Inc., who broke their attendance record by  having over 1,000 attendees at their fall user group.  SAS will also be holding their 50th conference this April.

Visit the Skyward website for more information on User Groups.

Also, visit the 2009 Skyward International Conference website for more information on registration prices and session details.