by Terry Smith

The theme of Tri-Doc 2005, “Shaping the Future of Technical Communication,” focuses on initiating positive change in our field and in our own careers. It will be held April 8–9, 2005 at the North Raleigh Hilton.

The first Tri-Doc was held in 2002. Michael Harvey, who was chapter president at the time, spoke in his president’s message about the economic downturn and questioned whether it might last all year. Now, three years later, the economic downturn has become a cataclysm—a time of upheaval and fundamental change. It is not unusual for accomplished professionals to spend long periods of time looking for jobs. Many of us work with teams that span the globe. The tools and skills needed to meet the demands of this work environment are changing. Now as then, more documentation is online, but now we need to structure the information, add metadata, and provide graphics and multimedia for users accustomed to television and rich web sites. Most of all, we have to strengthen our network of professional associates and friends.

In response to these changing demands, STC Carolina approached experts on a variety of current topics about presenting at a local conference in 2005. The response to the Call for Presenters was outstanding and after a brutal vetting of proposals, our program is jam-packed. Whether you are interested in the fundamentals of essential tools, advanced skills like XSL that will set you apart from the crowd, or more important than even soft skills, the Tri-Doc 2005 has 40 slots spread over half a dozen tracks filled with meaningful presentations and demonstrations.

Here are some of the topics and presenters grouped into tracks. Final tracks may be somewhat different. See the web site for abstracts, biographies, tracks, periods of time looking for jobs.

Take advantage of early registration!

To make attending the conference possible for as many of our members as possible, we set the prices at half the average price of two-day regional STC conferences held in the past year. The early registration price for STC members is only $125, which includes two days of presentations; breakfast, lunch, and snacks both days; and vendor exhibitions. The price rises quickly after the early registration deadline of February 15, although even the at-the-door price is no more than the early registration cost of other STC regional conferences. Register online at http://www.stccarolina.org/conference/TriDoc2005/Registration.shtml.