National BDPA Conference History (1979-2013)

We want to have an interactive blog. Here is a list of the past 35 national BDPA technology conferences. Take a look at the themes and locations. Let your memories roam on the networking, education and fun that you had as a participant at one or more of these annual conferences. How many of these did you attend?

• 2013 - "Diverse Opportunities in the Age of Convergence" (Washington DC)
• 2012 - "Transforming the IT Professional" (Baltimore, MD)
• 2011 - "Ignite, Inspire & Empower: The GPS of Future Technologists" (Chicago, IL)
• 2010 - "Access for All" (Philadelphia, PA)
• 2009 - "Challenges for Today, Strategies for Tomorrow" (Raleigh, NC)
• 2008 - "Harnessing Emerging Technologies to Advance IT Careers" (Atlanta, GA)
• 2007 - "Global Strategy for the IT Professional" (Washington DC)
• 2006 - "Picturing the Future of Information Technology" (Los Angeles, CA)
• 2005 - "Driving Innovation, Bringing Value and Embracing Change" (Detroit, MI)
• 2004 - "BDPA: Securing Our Future Through Technology" (Dallas, TX)
• 2003 - "Information Technology: From the Classroom to the Boardroom" (Philadelphia, PA)
• 2002 - "Changing the Culture of IT: From Access to Ownership" (Orlando, FL)
• 2001 - "Empowering the Nation Through Information" (Chicago, IL)
• 2000 - "Taking IT to the Net: From High-Tops to High-Tech" (Washington, DC)
• 1999 - "Closing the Gap in Information Technology" (Atlanta, GA)
• 1998 - "Unveiling the Magic of Emerging Technologies" (Orlando, FL)
• 1997 - "Looking at Tomorrow, Today"(Houston, TX)
• 1996 - "Building World Class Skills for Information Technology" (Atlanta, GA)

• 1995 - "Linking Business, Education and Technology" (Philadelphia, PA)
• 1994 - "Unleashing the Power of a Creative People" (Cleveland, OH)
• 1993 - "Cultivating Tomorrow’s Leaders in the Heart of America" (Kansas City, MO)
• 1992 - "Shaping the Information Technology Professional: Current and Future" (Detroit, MI)
• 1991 - "BDPA Getting to the Core of Technology" (New York, NY)
• 1990 - "Education and Technology Bonding for Excellence" (Washington, DC)
• 1989 - "Ideas in the Making" (Los Angeles, CA)
• 1988 - "Growth and Success by Design" (Chicago, IL)
• 1987 - "A Bridge to Success" (New Orleans, LA)
• 1986 - "Securing Your Professional Future" (Atlanta, GA)
• 1985 - "A Decade of Professional Growth" (Philadelphia, PA)
• 1984 - "Information Processing: A Vote for the Future" (Cleveland, OH)
• 1983 - "Rise to the Challenge" (Newark, NJ)
• 1982 - "Entrepreneurship: A Successful Attitude" (Detroit, MI)
• 1981 - "Growth Through Professional Association" (Philadelphia, PA)
• 1980 - "A New Era of Minority Involvement in Data Processing" (Washington, DC)
• 1979 - "The Role of the Black Technical Organization" (Philadelphia, PA)

Which was your first national conference? Which was your favorite national conference? What is your best conference memory? C'mon, let's talk!