Last week was the 50th gathering of the International AEE conference in Black Mountain, NC. It was a wonderfully exhausting yet restorative week. This was the first time the conference was back in person since before the pandemic, and it felt so amazing to reconnect with friends and colleagues from all around the world. At one point, my friend Lynn Lapointe leaned over to me in a workshop and said, “I forgot how much I missed you until I saw you.” He captured the essence of being back together perfectly.
I was honored to have been selected to deliver the final keynote of the conference with a focus on Visioning and what we, as an experiential community want AEE to look like in the future. With any non-profit volunteer-based organization, we need great volunteers to create the impact we want to have in the world. I had some giant 16-foot tarps made and asked attendees to think about one action item they could do to create a ripple effect, and then sign their name to one of the tarps. It was fun to see this come to life and hear the stories of how members could see themselves making a difference.
After the conference was over, I stayed in an Airbnb to fly out the next morning. On the fence of this little house was a sign that read, Sow Don’t Mow. It seemed to capture another great message as we all step back into the world. Sow the seeds of goodness out in the world, rather than mowing over others with our own agendas or purpose. With the right conditions and care, we will see beautiful results.
This subscription-based Online Game Database houses over 500 experiential teambuilding games, each designed to equip facilitators with the right game for the right group. Individual and group rates available. Sign up today!
The challenge is to carry a small ball using the bull ring and multiple strings through a series of obstacles and place the ball onto the goal, a plastic stand. A facilitator favorite!
This physics phenomenon will have your participants talking about the ‘Buzz Words’ of teamwork in a unique way.
Virtual Playground Games
Don't forget to check out our Virtual Playground! A safe place for teams, students, and families to connect in the virtual space. Need a quick icebreaker to fill that first five minutes of your virtual meeting? You have come to the right place! Get people connected before you dive into your content. Put a link in the chatbox and send people into breakout rooms for valuable conversations and connections. Check it out!
Where in the World is Michelle?
Have Bag, Will Travel!
Michelle is usually in 3-4 different locations each month. She often leads Open Enrollment workshops so you can find a training near you to attend! Or you could piggyback onto one of her existing trips and have her come and facilitate a training for your group. View our full Event Calendar.
