I am writing this column early on a Sunday morning. Victoria Labalme, whom I saw earlier this week present "Crazy, Busy, Nuts: Getting Off the Conveyor Belt of Life" at PCMA's Leadership Conference June 8-10 in Los Angeles, would probably say that by telling you that, I'm bragging. Q And if I were to tell you in person that I'm so crazy, busy, nuts, that I have to work on the weekend, chances are you would nod in agreement and even one-up me with your own out-of-control schedule. That, Labalme said, is truly nuts. When did being more overworked and stressed-out than the next person become a mark of status?

Much has been written about the issue of time poverty, and I doubt I have anything new to add to that discussion. But I am starting to realize that it's probably not such a problem across the generations as it is for Baby Boomers like me. Combine a strong work ethic (okay, workaholicism) with a passion for what you do … and then throw in technology that keeps you - and the expectation that you will be - connected 24/7, and you've got people who never feel like they can get off the "conveyer belt." In my experience, Gen Xers and Gen Yers have an easier time stepping off.

There are experts on the technology side working to stanch the deluge of information that overwhelms us (see Tomorrow@Work, p. 45). But that's still down the road. And Labalme, although fabulous, had no easy solutions. What she did hammer home is the need to focus on what's really important in life. To slow down, breathe, and take a good look around us. To realize how lucky we really are. To say to ourselves (in her words), "How cool is this?" How cool is it that we work in an industry that, despite all the hassles that come with it (such as air travel), gives us opportunities to see the world and meet all kinds of people? I know. You're still on information overload. Convene is a great magazine, I'm told by readers like you, but there's just no time to read it - or the many other industry publications that land on your desk. Only now I'm also starting to hear that the article "takeaway" boxes we have made a part of Convene are helping you quickly grasp what you need.

Speed is also part of the appeal of our new online digitized version (go to www.pcma. org/Convene.htm and click on "Digital Library"). We're making it easier for you to access Convene content. Jump around and search topics in the current issue and our archives to get the information that's really important to you. In a snap. (Just don't let on how much time it saves you.)

Singled Out
I'm thrilled to announce that last month, Convene received two awards from the Society of National Association Publications (SNAP), which singles out those association publications that demonstrate a commitment to excellence. We consider ourselves fortunate to have a partner in that commitment: Shostak Studios, where Mitch Shostak serves as creative director and Roger Greiner as Convene's art director. We won the gold for our May 2007 cover, which according to the judges "accomplishes the top three things a cover ought to do: It grabs your attention, makes you want to open it, and conveys a clean idea."

The cover also won us SNAP's EXTRA! Award, which honors those association publications that are particularly cutting-edge. Convene was one of only four EXTRA! Award winners this year.