The Learning Journey at Connect 2024: Transforming for Tomorrow
May 21, 2024 by Philip Wood
Connect 2024 picked up speed Tuesday as nearly 6,000 attendees from around the country shared time with an array of inspirational speakers including TV celebrity and best-selling author Jeff Henderson, who regaled a packed auditorium with sizzling details of his inspirational journey from imprisoned drug dealer to celebrity chef.
Chef, author, and entrepreneur Jeff Henderson shares his powerful theory of self-transformation with Connect 2024 attendees.
Building on themes from his latest book, "If You Can See It, You Can Be It," Henderson revealed his hard-knock yet transformative life lessons that help others realize their potential, discover their hidden business aptitudes, and gain a new foothold on the ladder to success.
“If you can see it, you can be it,” Henderson told hundreds of attendees. “Think about what your gift is, and how you use that gift personally and professionally. But, most of all, go back into your community, your place of business, and pay it forward, because the majority of us in this room got in this room because somebody believed in us.”
It was message that Deb Pierrel from the city of Palm Springs, California, found to be “inspiring and motivational.” What rang most true? “The fact that he not only turned his life around, but that he’s using his experience to inspire others.”
The Learning Curve
Connect 2024 participants get hands-on help at a session on Reconciliation with Tyler Payments.
Jeff Henderson's motivational speech was one of many interspersed between the 800 training sessions geared for every level at this year's Connect.
Speaking between sessions on Monday morning, Elizabeth Jordan and Shantel Corl from the Freemont Sanitation District in Colorado described what they had enjoyed so far. For Jordan, it was learning more about programs she is already familiar with. “I am really enjoying the in-depth explanations of the functions that I already use, because [they are] letting me understand what is happening with each stroke that I make on the keyboard, so that’s really neat.” For Corl: “Everyone is here, everyone you could possibly need to speak to.”
Connecting at Connect 2024
Connect 2024 is about more than attending motivational speeches and learning how to take Tyler’s innovative products into top gear. It’s also a chance to network with industry peers at the 30-minute breaks between sessions and a range of social functions.
This is not the first Connect for MaryAnn Alli from the city of Schenectady, New York. What brought her back? “Team building,” she said. “We’ve just migrated to the web-based version of [Enterprise ERP], so there’s lots to learn and I think it’s a great opportunity to come and connect,” she said.
At the Connect 2024 Solutions Hub we caught up with Trang Vu and Joanne Coon from the Superior Court of California in the county of Santa Clara. They had been checking out Tyler’s AI document automation program and liked what they had seen. What impressed them most? “Well, the fact that we can have it programed to help alleviate the backlogs that we have,” Vu said. “It’s hard in this day and age not just to hire staff, but to retain them, and [this means] constant backlogs hanging over our heads. We can use AI to help us manage [the workload] more, so it’s beneficial in all aspects.”
Tapping the Brakes
Connect 2024 attendees enjoy a well-deserved pit stop in the middle of their jam-packed schedule.
Keeping up with inspirational speakers, a packed course load, and networking with industry peers is hard work. So where better to kick back and relax than Connect 2024's Health & Wellness room?
That’s where we found Nidya Gonzalez, from Hall County Schools in Georgia, preparing to reboot after a packed Tuesday morning.
What brought her here?
“You need a break in between sessions, and this is my ‘me’ time. I want to protect my time, and this is a nice of way of doing it,” she said. “This is incredible, and I appreciate it very, very much.”
Connect 2024 on Social
As many attendees and Tyler employees know, social media remains the best place to stay constantly plugged in with Connect. Following Tyler Technologies and using #TylerConnect is a great way to connect during and after the conference and to see highlights from the four-day event. Post and tag pictures of yourself, your team, or other sights around Connect to be featured in Tyler's Connect 2024 photo album on Facebook!
Giving Back: Pedal to the Metal
Connect 2024 attendees pedal hard to raise money for the Nine13sports initiative that uses the bicycle as an educational tool to help children in Indianapolis.
This year, we are excited to be partnering with Nine13sports in bringing stationary bikes to Connect 2024! Inspired by the Indy 500, we have set a goal to ride 500 miles to help disadvantaged youth of all abilities get more active and find joy in exercise.
Roxanne Lee (pictured above, right) of Mobile County Health Department in Alabama took up the challenge on Tuesday with a spirited sprint towards the finish line.
“I’ve done it twice, yesterday and today, and this is it,” Lee said after stepping off the bike. Her favorite events so far? Guest speakers including FutureThink CEO Lisa Bodell, whose advice to reduce complexity hit home. “Keep it simple,” Lee said. “[Don’t] focus on the noise and just try and get my job done.”
Learn more about the Nine13sports initiative here. And if you are unable or prefer not to bike, you can still participate by filling an Indianapolis community-inspired mural with life and color.
Turn on Your Headlights: The Night Ahead
Be it cycling for a cause, high-octane networking, or going full throttle at training sessions, participants should be sure to leave something in the tank for Tuesday night’s client appreciation event.
Join us at 7:30 pm at the ICC-Hall A/B-Level 1 for a night of pure entertainment starting with a performance by comedian Leanne Morgan — a rising comedic star with her own Netflix special who has starred alongside Will Farrell and Reese Witherspoon — and ending with an ‘80s arcade and dance party!