Celebrating Excellence:

Honoring the People Who Make IT Happen! 

Location
Holiday Inn College Park
10000 Baltimore Ave.
College Park, MD 20740
Phone: (301) 298-1064

About the Program

It’s time to celebrate! The HDI Capital Area Chapter cordially invites you to our Annual Awards Luncheon, a prestigious event where IT Service and Support Managers recognize their outstanding team members for their exceptional achievements and contributions throughout the year. This event, which has become a tradition in the Washington, D.C. area, is an occasion that brings teams together to celebrate excellence and inspire future accomplishments. During the luncheon, we will enjoy an inspirational keynote presentation, a three-course meal, and award presentations to the Best Support Analyst and Best Support Technician nominees. It's a time for networking, sharing success stories, and fostering a sense of motivation and unity among attendees.

This event serves as a platform to honor support professionals who have made a significant impact in their respective roles, leaving a lasting legacy for others to aspire to. It will conclude with the announcement of the winners for Best Support Analyst, Best Support Technician, and Best Team Lead awards. The winners will go on to the regional competition, with the Regional Winner being sponsored by Robert Half Technology to attend the HDI Annual conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Registration Cost
Seating is limited, so be sure to register EARLY to reserve your seats! Registration is only $39.00 per person for members and $59 per person for non-members and includes hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, a three course buffet-style meal, coffee, hot tea, iced tea, and soda. Registration closes Thursday, December 3rd at 5:00 PM.

Team Discounts
Register 5 team members and receive the 6th registration free by entering the promo code: sixthfree.

About the Keynote  

Beyond the Fix: Your Next Moment Matters
Celebrating the People, Choices, and Connections that Make Excellence Possible

Behind every resolved ticket, restored connection, and exceptional customer experience are people whose contributions extend far beyond technical expertise. In this inspiring and engaging keynote, Wanda Scott Erinle draws from her experiences as a former network engineer, executive coach, and international speaker to celebrate the professionals who make excellence possible. Through personal storytelling, humor, and meaningful audience connection, she explores how emotional intelligence, resilience, and intentional choices can turn everyday challenges into opportunities to build trust, strengthen relationships, and make a lasting impact.

Attendees will leave feeling recognized, encouraged, and energized by one powerful reminder: While we cannot control every challenge we face, what we do next matters.

By the end of the session, attendees will have learned how to:

1. Recognize the difference they make: Appreciate how their everyday contributions go beyond solving technical problems to positively impact people and organizations

2. Embrace the power of their next moment:  Understand how their attitudes, choices, and responses can turn everyday challenges into opportunities for connection and growth

3. Inspire excellence in themselves and others:  Recognize the value of encouragement, appreciation, and meaningful relationships in creating a positive and supportive environment

About the Speaker 

Wanda Scott Erinle is a dynamic speaker, author, coach, and founder and CEO of WE Consulting Solutions LLC. As a transformative leader with 30 years of experience across corporate, academic, and government sectors and more than 20 years inspiring audiences, Wanda blends humor, heartfelt storytelling, and authenticity to energize and empower others.

Drawing on her experience as a Network Engineer, Chief Learning Officer, and Assistant Professor, she inspires people to embrace change, lead with courage, and move forward with confidence. Her uplifting message encourages audiences to recognize their strengths and reach their full potential. 

Wanda is a celebrated global speaker on emotional intelligence, diversity and leadership.

Agenda
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM – Registration, Networking, & Hors d‘oeuvres
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Welcome Announcements, Lunch Served
12:00 PM to 12:45 PM – Candidate Introductions
12:45 PM to 1:00 PM – Break
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM – Keynote - Wanda Scott Erinle
2:00 PM to 2:15 PM – Break, Dessert and Coffee Served
2:15 PM to 3:00 PM – Candidate Introductions
3:00 PM to 3:15 PM – Best Support Analyst & Best Desktop Technician Award Winners Announced
3:15 PM to 3:30 PM – Closing Remarks and Prize Drawing*
*Must be present to win*

Membership

Interested in becoming an HDI member, Click here.
Click to learn about "What's the ROI on an HDI membership?"

Vendor Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor: The MIL Corporation

Gold Sponsor: Splashtop

Bronze Sponsor:  BMC

Bronze Sponsor: ASPG

Sponsor HDI Capital Area

HDI Capital Area Local Chapter provides a unique opportunity for our sponsors. We hold several meetings per year both virtual and in-person in the DC Metro area.  Our members and attendees are over 90% managers and above. This means the decision makers are in the room with you. Sponsoring our chapter will provide your company or organization exposure to federal, state, and local government agencies, healthcare, higher education, large IT systems integrators, commercial companies, schools, and small businesses.

You will have the opportunity to network and dine with the decision makers at every meeting. In addition, your company will reach our members and attendees through advertising on our newsletters and meeting announcements.

The opportunities are endless. For more information, click here or email sponsorship@hdicapitalarea.com.