By Heather Phan
The SCBWI Southern Breeze Spring Mingle 2023 conference is just over three weeks away and you might still be on the fence about it all. If so, here are five things that you’ll love about the Spring Mingle!
Inspiring Keynotes. This year’s keynote speakers have been there and done that—in all the right ways! Hear from author and ReyCraft Books acquiring editor Winsome Bingham and critically acclaimed author and artist Victoria Ying as they share their insights in the day’s opening and closing keynotes.
Industry Professionals. Spring Mingle conference faculty bring a wealth of knowledge and industry experience to this day of professional development, networking, and craft, and we think that our strong faculty lineup is one of the top reasons to register today.
Insightful Breakout Sessions. As part of your conference experience, you’ll have the opportunity to attend four breakout sessions over the course of the day, and with fourteen unique tracks available, you can curate a day of learning customized to you!
Submission Opportunities for All Registrants. This means you! Included in your attendee packet will be an invitation to submit your work to Spring Mingle faculty members. Even if the faculty member’s agency or publishing house is currently closed to submissions, you’ll have the attendees-only opportunity to submit according to each agent’s or editor’s individual parameters within a designated timeframe after the conference concludes. Don’t let this one get away!
Fun Stuff
Professional headshots. If you don’t yet have a headshot or were thinking about updating your existing photo, you’ll have the opportunity to register for an appointment with professional photographer Taylor Girard under “Event Extras” on the conference registration page. Headshots are available at a discounted rate for conference attendees. A high-resolution, professionally taken headshot can be used with your bio, as a profile picture, a social media badge or avatar, or anytime your smile is needed!
Conference Bookstore and Autograph Party. The conference bookstore is a great place to find works by your fellow attendees, and you can get your copy signed by the authors and illustrators participating in this year’s autograph party! Forget the hours-long line, you’ll be right up front for this one!
Joan Broerman Book Basket. This is a chance to give back in the most wonderful way! Buy a book from the conference bookstore or bring a new or gently used children’s book to donate to the book basket, a Southern Breeze tradition that dates to 1997 and was named for one of the chapter’s founding members and longtime regional advisor, Joan Broerman. The books collected often include not only attendees’ favorite picks, but also signed copies from attending creators or books donated by speakers from their publishing houses. Awarded via raffle, one lucky winner gets to take this shelf-filling collection to a school or library of their choice. Welcome by anyone, this collection can be a particularly valuable resource to under-funded schools or libraries. The award includes cataloguing funds.
Silent Auction. New this year, the Spring Mingle silent auction will feature a variety of items sure to pique your interest! This fun to-do will raise funds for our DEI scholarships to paid events as well as free Southern Breeze programming.
Door Prizes and swag! If there’s one thing that we all love, it’s door prizes and swag! Every attendee receives a free mystery item, so be sure and reserve yours by registering today!
Whether you’re already an SCBWI member or are a non-member creator interested in a day of professional development, craft, learning, and fun, all are welcome to attend this event! The conference will be held at the Atlanta International School’s (AIS) historic 13.5 acre campus in Atlanta’s vibrant Buckhead district on Saturday, March 25, 2023.
Learn more about the Spring Mingle conference here or register today!