Opening General Session

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APCO International is pleased to announce that Dr. Rebecca M. Blank, Acting United States Secretary of Commerce, will address attendees at its Opening General Session. The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is the federal government's lead in the implementation of the public safety spectrum legislation that was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama in February of this year.

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Monday, August 20, 2012 from 8:30am to 10:00am
Minneapolis Convention Center Ballroom

Keynote Presentation:

Elevating the Team: You Only Travel as Fast as your Slowest Dog
Presented by Martin Buser, Iditarod Champion and owner of Happy Trails Kennels

Often times a coach tends to focus on the lead dog or the star player.  However, if the incident commander on the scene gives the wrong address or the call taker inverts only one number, there is a problem.  

Martin Buser believes time is better spent investing in the development of the "relative weakest" rather than to dwell on the skills of the star. Building up those that fall behind will better serve the performance of the team as a whole.  He focuses on what he calls the “bottom of the totem pole.”  

Attention to detail, preparation and team building skills have led him to a few victories and, although championships might make him complacent, every year is a different race.   Martin continually challenges himself to have the best equipment, the best training and the strongest team to conquer the ever changing conditions.

Hard work, smart work and team work coupled with perseverance has led Martin to the finish of the Iditarod 29 times thus far.  Be prepared to leave this session inspired and ready to build a successful, stronger team.