Kids First 2005

The 2005 Kids First Conference was  held at the Four Point Sheraton on Merle Hay Road on April 28 and 29, 2005.

Thursday’s Keynote Speaker was Gene Del Vecchio, a nationally recognized expert on youth marketing and the founder of CoolWorks, a marketing consulting company that helps clients create and research cool stuff that kids love and parents appreciate. He has worked in the youth arena for over 20 years with such companies as Walt Disney, Mattel, and MGA Entertainment. He is the author of four books:  The Pearl of Anton, Creating Ever-Cool, The Blockbuster Toy, and A Knight’s Code of Business.  His presentation, “Making the Library a Cool Place for Kids,” helped participants understand both the timeless emotional needs in children and the more timely trends in their world.  Gene Del Vecchio also signed books after his session.

On Friday, Keynote Speakers were Jean Gullickson, Children’s Services Manager and Debi Stephenson, Children’s Programmer, from the Carnegie-Stout Public Library (Dubuque,IA).  They  presented “Extreme Makeover@Your Library:   Wild and Eyecatching Promotionals.”  The duo shared hands-on ideas for creating exciting displays, exhibits, signage and other promotional pieces.

Each day featured a vast array of break-out sessions.