Top Five Things to Pack for Convention

You’ve signed up for Wisconsin Farmers Union’s 95^th Annual State Convention and now it’s time to get excited before we all return to Chula Vista for another wonderful event full of lively conversations, interesting workshops, good food and statewide community building. 

Whether this is your first time at Convention or you’re a seasoned pro, you may be wondering what to put in that suitcase next week before heading to the Dells. Here are five things you should make sure to bring:

1. Comfortable shoes. Although there are times many of us will be seated for a while, like during the policy discussions and workshops, there is still a lot of moving and grooving that happens at Convention! You’ll be hustling between rooms for different portions of the programming, meandering through the exhibitors area and jumping for joy when you see an old friend. And don’t forget – there will be a DJ and karaoke on Saturday night, which we hope will inspire some classic farmer dance moves. Make sure to pack a good pair of sneakers or boots to keep you on your feet!

   
   

2. A trusty notebook. There will be plenty of information shared throughout the weekend and you’ll no doubt want to take some notes! Maybe you’ll be brainstorming ideas during our Pre-Convention Groundswell about building community on Friday or jotting down resources shared during Saturday’s workshops (five offerings this year). A notebook can also be useful for making notes during the policy portion of the weekend or capturing contact information for all the great folks you’ll want to reconnect with after Convention is over. 

   
   

3. An appetite. We’re packing a ton of local food into this year’s Convention! Our staff has been working hard to source 70 products from 40 farms and local food businesses across the state. We’re also extremely lucky to have food donations from several other partners. A lot of this work will be showcased during Saturday night’s banquet featuring Wisconsin Foodie host Luke Zahm. He will walk us through each course, highlighting the connections between the food on our plates and our incredible membership. Come ready to eat and celebrate our state’s bountiful harvest!

   
   

4. A tote bag. There’s sure to be stuff you’ll want to take home with you, like WFU swag, exhibitor items and informational resources. Delegates will have paperwork to carry around, too. It will be helpful to pack a tote, purse or bag to hold all of that precious cargo. 

   
   

5. A good attitude! Despite all of the fun to be had at Convention, there can be times when things get a little tense on the policy floor. Being able to speak your opinion, pose questions and compromise are all important components of a democracy. And at Wisconsin Farmers Union, all members have a voice and a vote. So, if there happens to be a little spice mixed into our Convention this year, it’s helpful to remember to take a breath and think about the bigger picture. We are stronger together.

   
   

While those five items topped the list of what’s important to bring, here are a few honorable mentions to consider as well:

• Business cards – There will be a lot of networking happening during Convention. If you have a farm or business to connect folks to, make sure to stash a stack of contact cards in your bag!

• Support for our fundraiser – This year we’ll be fundraising for essential maintenance needs at Kamp Kenwood. Between Friday night’s live auction and Saturday’s silent auction, there will be a variety of items and experiences to bid on.

• A water bottle – Make sure to stay hydrated throughout the busy weekend! There will be water stations in every room (cups will also be provided if you forget yours). 

  
  

Our 95^th Annual State Convention will definitely be one to remember. Start counting down the days and packing your bags! We’ll see you next week!