Have you ever found yourself waiting for a favorite meal to finish cooking? You can smell the delicious aromas drifting from the kitchen, and with every passing minute, your anticipation grows. If you're not the one doing the cooking, what do you do? Walk over to the stove and turn up the heat? Not in my kitchen. Stand nearby asking, "Is it done yet?" Maybe. But anyone who enjoys a great meal knows that some things simply can't be rushed.
Now, I don't claim to be the world's greatest cook, but I do know a thing or two about bringing a meal together. The first step is deciding what I want to make, which, for me, is often the hardest part. Once I have a vision for the finished dish, I check to make sure I have all the necessary ingredients, determine how much time it will take, and begin preparing everything needed to bring it to life. From gathering ingredients and prepping vegetables to selecting the right pots and pans, every step matters. Then the real work begins, and before long, the kitchen is filled with incredible aromas that signal something special is on the way.
When I think about cooking, I'm reminded of how important it is to have a clear vision of the desired outcome. The vision guides every decision, every ingredient, and every step along the way. Without it, you're simply mixing ingredients together and hoping for the best.
Your ALSN leadership teams are hard at work in the kitchen, thoughtfully preparing for the 2026 ALSN Conference. I am excited to share that we are beginning to smell the results of our collective efforts. The plans are coming together, the ingredients are in place, and the anticipation is building. If the early aromas are any indication, what awaits us in Los Angeles will be something truly special.
This will be my first ALSN Conference as a board member, and I couldn't be more excited about the opportunity to gather, learn, connect, and celebrate with all of you. We still have work to do before the meal is served, but I can assure you that the team is committed to creating an exceptional experience for every attendee.
So, be patient, stay engaged, and enjoy the anticipation. The cooking is well underway, and Los Angeles promises to be worth the wait.
Now it’s your turn: What excites you most about the upcoming 2026 ALSN Conference? Who is one person you hope to connect with?
Building toward ALSN 2026!
Joy Parchment, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, CPDC, ACC, FAAN, FAONL
Click to learn more about the 2026 ALSN International Conference, taking place September 30 - October 2 in Los Angeles.
