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"Go Stars!"
On January 12th, IMA Austin Area Chapter members and friends gathered at the Cedar Park Center to watch the Texas Stars play against the San Antonio Rampage. The evening began with a private tour of the facilities; then we settled down with our hot dogs and soda waiting patiently for the game to begin. When it did, we were standing in our seats within the first 2 minutes of the game. I fight broke out and the crowd went wild.
The night was full of excitement and surprises, besides what occurred on the ice:
- IMA Austin Area Chapter was recognized as a group participant
- IMA member, Bud Kulesza was received a birthday wish from the jumbo screen
- Guest Georgina Dawson and IMA member Wes Dunlap, received Texas Star T-shirts that were thrown into the audience by the Stars Cheerleaders
- A hockey puck landed 2 rows down from where we sat.
To top it all off the Texas Stars won the game 2:0. What a great way to start of the New Year with IMA friends!
Accounting is changing. Are you ready?
For those of you who weren't at the October 21, 2009 Austin Area Chapter IMA dinner meeting you missed one of the best presentations on IFRS. IFRS or International Accounting Reporting Standards is a hot topic as accounting standards around the world will soon be adopting them, enabling for the first time one set of standards regardless of where in the world you are. What we also learned from Vince Prendergast was that even with one set there is still some room for interpretation as the standards are fewer rules based than most US accountants are familiar with under GAAP. The presentation, while technical, was still simple enough for even the non accountants in the audience to understand the challenges we face as adoption and implementation take place. The bottom line is we will need to make certain our knowledge; skills and abilities keep pace with the changes. If we do, then most certainly, will be fortunate to be working in a profession that will have growing demand for what we as accountants bring to the table. That is something to consider in these challenging economic times. Thanks Vince for an enlightening presentation.
What are the benefits of an attractive web site, if a consumer cannot locate it through a search engine?
On September 16, Greg Bright, author of "Get Top Ranking on Google & Other Search Engines" provided IMA Austin Area Chapter Members and guests lesser known (and little used) secrets for getting high ranking and "growing your business online" using Google.
Below are just a few of the secrets:
- Create a Google Maps business listing. Add hours of operation, photos, and other details through "Google's Local Business Center"~ it's FREE.
- Add descriptive names to your images, for example: IMA_Austin_Home.jpg
- Post YouTube Videos on your site ~Google owns YouTube
- Update your website frequently
To learn more about how to get high ranking and "growing your business online" using Google'
Time Flies When You're Having Fun
Over the past several months, IMA Texas Council has gathered twice to partake in educational sessions, networking and a whole lot of fun.
It began with the IMA Texas Council meeting, the weekend of August 28th, sponsored by the Austin Area Chapter, in New Braunfels, Texas at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch. IMA members from across the state of Texas gathered to network and "catch up" with friends and family at the hospitality room. The morning of August 29th, IMA members participated in the Texas Council meeting and the Ethics training (eligible for 3.5 CPE), while family members and guests, enjoyed shopping in San Marcus and the resort facilities. Shortly after, we all gathered together for a night we will always remember ~dinner, a compass course and s'mores.
It began with a delicious dinner, which than turned into a birthday celebration when an IMA member was surprised with a birthday cake, followed by "Happy Birthday to you". We continued the celebration in the hospitality suite, until it was time for the compass course. Our party was split up into 2 teams, with 3 compasses each and flashlights galore. We were sent out into the night to find signs on trees that contained the next bearing and a letter to remember. The ultimate reward... a warm fire, with s'mores and adult beverages. During the trek teams saw a grey fox, deer, and raccoons and several of us ran into cacti. Many of us were thankful that we made it through a live and no injuries. Maybe next time it will be the ropes course during daylight.
The most recent Texas Council meeting was held in Corsicana, Texas, sponsored by the Dallas Fort Worth Chapter, the weekend of October 23rd. The evening began with a once in a lifetime private tour of the Capehart Communications collection, by Mr. Don Capehart himself. The tour began with wires strung through giant grids, followed by the switch boards from the early 1900s, all different types of phones (Snoopy, Mickey Mouse, the Princess phone, ITT, ATT, etc.), advertisements, posters, etc. There were several pieces that have been used in the making of Hollywood blockbusters, such as Changeling and a 2009 film starring Johnny Depp. Everywhere you looked there was history, from the beginning of the creation of phones to where we are today. One man's passion enlightened us all.
Afterwards, IMA members, family and guests joined together for some great Mexican food and drinks (margaritas were outstanding). The next morning, the IMA members gathered for the Texas Council meeting discussing a wide variety of topics such as: IMA National news, Chapter News, Texas Council upcoming events, and more. Afterwards, we gathered at "The Other Restaurant" for lunch. You can guess the confusion that caused when we were telling the members where we were going. We are going to"The Other Restaurant". What other restaurant? "The Other Restaurant" and so on and so on.
The fun will continue at the upcoming Texas Council meeting the weekend of February 5, 2010, hosted by the San Antonio Chapter. The weekend starts off with a tour of the Toyota plant on Friday, February 5th, followed by dinner. Then on Saturday after the Texas Council meeting, we will be heading to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo in which, Tim McGraw is scheduled to perform. So join us for the fun!
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