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By STEVEN KORTE
We take great pride in associations built with educators over the years. And even while schools are closed, Rigby is immersed in initiating and strengthening new and existing customer relationships during the summer months.
In July, Rigby held the annual Train-the-Trainer conferences. Those in attendance represented schools and districts that made substantial purchases of Rigby materials during the previous year. The 500 educators in attendance received two days of professional development training led by experts in the field of literacy. At the conclusion of this year's TTT events, which have been held every summer for ten years, the feedback received was extremely positive. We are very pleased to receive evaluation sheet comments such as: "Did you notice how everyone was smiling - all the time?! I have never felt so respected by others as I have by all the Rigby people."
Another annual event hosted by Rigby Professional Development each summer is the Facilitator's Institute. Held this past July in Phoenix, Partners in Professional Growth sums up the experience of these two days. Currently working in their home districts, the 134 attendees of the Institute have received training in facilitating / instructing RPD offerings. This conference supports the facilitators who enjoy a first-
hand look at Rigby product, presentations by published educational experts, networking with other facilitators, and of course, strengthening their bond with Rigby. And
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what did we hear from our facilitators? "As usual, Rigby has made me feel special and added to my knowledge and ability to help kids by providing excellent speakers and a positive inspiring few days. Thank you, partners!"
This summer provided Rigby another opportunity to build bridges with a new group of educational professionals. Through a corporate sponsorship program, Rigby executives attended the Urban Superintendent's Association of America Academy which was held in Vancouver, British Columbia. For two days Rigby executives Elfreda Massie, Linda Schilling, Gunnar Voltz and David Rust acted as Rigby ambassadors to this select group of superintendents from 35 urban districts. Although many were not aware of Rigby prior to the Academy, they left feeling that they had established new and beneficial ties to Rigby.
Finally, this summer brought a conclusion to the long awaited Reed acquisition of Harcourt. On July 12 our business grew to include an entire new company. As Rigby and Steck Vaughn unite forming Harcourt Supplemental Publishers, we are establishing the groundwork for continued future success. Many of you have begun connecting with new colleagues in Austin, and inter-company communication is off to a good start. As Harcourt Supplemental Publishers we look forward to taking steps toward exciting new associations and ulti
mately broadening customer relationships.
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