JCI Journey: How Sophie, Zoe & Mark Were Inspired by Riga
JCI Journey: How Sophie, Zoe & Mark Were Inspired by Riga
Posted By admin |22 Jul 2018
A month has passed since the European Conference in Riga, Latvia, yet we can still hear the inspiring keynote speakers, see the spectacular midsummer bonfires and feel the excitement from the gala dinner.
Our JCI Journeys usually focus on the experiences of 1 member. However, as Riga far exceeded our expectations (which were already pretty high), we have 3 wonderful guest bloggers for this article:
[caption id="attachment_4022" align="alignleft" width="200"]
Sophie Delaporte (JCI Southampton)[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_4023" align="alignleft" width="200"]
Zoe Toseland (JCI Southampton)[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_4025" align="alignleft" width="200"]
Mark Cheret (JCI London)[/caption]
Unsurprisingly, Sophie, Zoe and Mark found it difficult to choose only 1 event highlight...
Our bloggers enjoying the midsummer festivities at Jurmala Beach[/caption]
JCI's European Conferences are always good fun and Riga seemed particularly well organised. Even though I only attended the last 2 days of this conference, it felt like an amazing holiday. I enjoyed a fantastic gala dinner and caught up with members and friends I'd met at previous international events. I particularly loved the Midsummer Festival in Jurmala where we discovered Latvian culture. Flower crowns, fires on the beach and traditional folk music...I loved every minute!
[caption id="attachment_4057" align="aligncenter" width="700"]
James Lambert (L), Sophie (C) and Zoe (R) at the pre-gala dinner drinks reception[/caption]
Women in leadership workshop[/caption]
JCI UK members at Easy Beer restaurant[/caption]
With the excitement of new experiences at conferences, you sometimes forget to stay properly hydrated, well fed and adequately rested. With the European Conference in Riga, I had no issue with the first 2 points. Food and drinks were plentiful, and for lunch attendees were encouraged to explore the city's amazing restaurants. This was an excellent twist to what you'd usually expect from a large-scale event (monotonously lining up for a centralised heated food tent!). Regarding sleep, I'd chosen to thoroughly enjoy the international flair rather than staying within the 4 walls of the - admittedly very impressive - hotel room.
What inspired me the most, however, was the camaraderie amongst the UK delegation; it felt like being part of an immense and caring family. Members flew in just for the gala dinner, to show their support and cheer on the nominees. The authenticity filled me with a great energy and I'll never forget my time in beautiful Riga.
[caption id="attachment_4094" align="aligncenter" width="700"]
Riga: a beautiful and unforgettable city[/caption]
Sophie Delaporte (JCI Southampton)[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_4023" align="alignleft" width="200"] Zoe Toseland (JCI Southampton)[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_4025" align="alignleft" width="200"] Mark Cheret (JCI London)[/caption]
Unsurprisingly, Sophie, Zoe and Mark found it difficult to choose only 1 event highlight...
Sophie Delaporte
[caption id="attachment_4012" align="alignleft" width="300"] Our bloggers enjoying the midsummer festivities at Jurmala Beach[/caption]
JCI's European Conferences are always good fun and Riga seemed particularly well organised. Even though I only attended the last 2 days of this conference, it felt like an amazing holiday. I enjoyed a fantastic gala dinner and caught up with members and friends I'd met at previous international events. I particularly loved the Midsummer Festival in Jurmala where we discovered Latvian culture. Flower crowns, fires on the beach and traditional folk music...I loved every minute!
[caption id="attachment_4057" align="aligncenter" width="700"] James Lambert (L), Sophie (C) and Zoe (R) at the pre-gala dinner drinks reception[/caption]
Zoe Toseland
Aside from the very unexpected award for Most Outstanding New Member, the women's leadership workshop was really empowering. It was fantastic to hear Dawn Hetzel and Chiara Milani - past JCI World Presidents - talk about challenges and barriers for women going into leadership roles. [caption id="attachment_4063" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Women in leadership workshop[/caption]
Mark Cheret
[caption id="attachment_4074" align="alignleft" width="300"] JCI UK members at Easy Beer restaurant[/caption]
With the excitement of new experiences at conferences, you sometimes forget to stay properly hydrated, well fed and adequately rested. With the European Conference in Riga, I had no issue with the first 2 points. Food and drinks were plentiful, and for lunch attendees were encouraged to explore the city's amazing restaurants. This was an excellent twist to what you'd usually expect from a large-scale event (monotonously lining up for a centralised heated food tent!). Regarding sleep, I'd chosen to thoroughly enjoy the international flair rather than staying within the 4 walls of the - admittedly very impressive - hotel room.
What inspired me the most, however, was the camaraderie amongst the UK delegation; it felt like being part of an immense and caring family. Members flew in just for the gala dinner, to show their support and cheer on the nominees. The authenticity filled me with a great energy and I'll never forget my time in beautiful Riga.
[caption id="attachment_4094" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Riga: a beautiful and unforgettable city[/caption]
By Abigail Noonan
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