Summer Meeting 2013 just wrapped, and I’m feeling inspired and energized by the three incredible days we spent together in Salt Lake City.

This year’s Summer Meeting was our largest ever -- with 150 attendees from 30 state-based advocacy groups and 24 national organizations. State and national movement leaders from Arizona to Maine, Oregon to Florida gathered to celebrate recent victories; connect with colleagues and friends, old and new; and collaborate for future success. I don’t believe we’ve ever had such a diverse crowd of smart, strategic leaders who are truly advancing this movement in historic ways.

Throughout the course of three days, I was consistently impressed by the quality of the workshops. Our amazing slate of presenters sparked critical discussions on important issues, offered training on useful skills, and shared resources and expertise that are vital to building a strong movement nationwide. And a breakout star was a new segment of programming: FEDtalks. The line-up of speakers giving five minute talks on the most innovative parts of their work -- we were all captivated and inspired! I can’t thank our presenters enough for making this year’s Summer Meeting a true learning experience for all.

Even with the inspiring speakers and informative workshops -- I know the work of Equality Utah has earned the most accolades from attendees. The outdoor reception with a spectacular view of the mountains. The guided tours of Temple Square and the Capitol. The trip to gorgeous Park City. The fantastic performance at our closing celebration. Brandie Balken and her team at Equality Utah created one-of-a-kind opportunities for participants to get out of the hotel and into the community to explore all that Utah has to offer. They raised the bar as a host organization for the Summer Meeting, and all of us at the Federation are so grateful for their time and energy.

I can’t remember a Summer Meeting that had as much to offer as this one. But for me, the best part is always re-connecting with all of you. I love hearing about the victories that were hard-fought; I appreciate the conversations about future plans; I look forward to the late night chats, where together, we take on the movement’s greatest challenges. The camaraderie that we build when we’re together -- that’s what gets us through the toughest parts of this work. That’s what keeps our movement strong.

Already, I’m looking forward to next year, and I’m excited to announce that we’re headed to Minneapolis! Minnesota’s two state groups, OutFront Minnesota and Project 515, have agreed to be our hosts for Summer Meeting 2014, July 30 - August 2. With two huge victories in the past two years -- fighting off a marriage ban at the ballot and passing the freedom to marry in the legislature -- Minnesota is the perfect place for our movement to gather and build momentum!