First [timers.sup.2]: a member of the Texas Chapter reports on QuickStart.

• Author: Kirby, Chris W.

Though I've worked with and in LMA member firms throughout my career, the 2012 LMA Annual Conference was my first. However, as a "seasoned veteran" with more than a dozen years of law firm coaching/ training experience, registering for QuickStart was, I must confess, something I did very hesitantly. I wondered how I could benefit from a daylong program designed (I thought) for law marketing neophytes. After all, "quick start" implies that your law marketing engine has not yet roared to life. Now, however, I recommend it to everyone regardless of experience level. It's that good.

Fortunately, first impressions are not everything, or I would have been disappointed. QuickStart was held in a room that was half the size of the hallway you traversed to get there; and this after a half-mile walk through the surreal and immense Gaylord Texan Biosphere. Despite the over-the-top spaciousness of the Texan, the room was small, stuffy and lined with row upon row of very closely packed tables. Spying one of the three remaining empty chairs, I shoehorned myself between two young marketers whose combined ages would not equal my own. Then I realized I'd forgotten my coffee! Given what it took to get seated, I decided to forego my liquid energy and settled in for the first presentation.

At this point, I encountered one of the strange quirks of LMA generally and of QuickStart in particular. I had arrived on time (a rarity) but was still one of the last to find a seat. As I looked around, I realized I was surrounded by people who actually intended to listen to the presentation. Seriously, people were taking notes during the opening remarks! I was pleasantly surprised to realize these folks, unlike attendees at so many of the conferences we've all endured, were actually here to learn something.

From the first break to the evening reception I also experienced another of LMA/QuickStart's delightful attributes: the incredible collegiality of our membership. Honestly, I anticipated finding it difficult to "break in" to cliques of friends and cronies. On the contrary, LMA has somehow managed to create one of the most inviting environments I've encountered in my professional life. As one new friend I met said, "We're watching community form around us as we speak."

If QuickStart did nothing but offer comfortable networking opportunities, most would consider it a success. Add the full day of content-rich presentations and you begin to see how truly...