Diving headfirst into producing the February issue of The Communicator after a holiday break is the perfect project to kick off the new year. Maybe it's the chill in the air, but I feel energized and eager to get to work on the five issues of the magazine we publish each year.

This issue marks not only the outset of my third year of writing for The Communicator, but more broadly, the start of my third year of working together with the CAAR team.

Just like people make New Year’s resolutions to guide them for another journey around the sun, CAAR has set down a strategic plan for the association to shape its priorities in 2019 and future years and navigate the necessary course to achieve its long-term goals.

It is an exciting time for the association, and I am greatly looking forward to working with the CAAR team to share news and updates with members about the numerous planned endeavors and partnerships through The Communicator and online in the coming year.

You will find more information about some of these topics within the pages of this issue. Our annual Year in Review and Year in Preview feature stories give an exclusive first look at the process and results of CAAR’s strategic planning session in 2018 along with upcoming 2019 announcements and longer-term goals CAAR will work toward over the course of the next three-to-five years.

The February issue is also special, being the last issue we publish before the annual CAAR Conference. Working on our Conference Preview story, I always enjoy corresponding with attendees, exhibitors, sponsors and speakers to learn what they want to take away from the event, and what they plan to bring to the table.

After working on multiple stories about the conference, actually attending it is always a major highlight for me. At every CAAR Conference I attend, I relish the opportunity to soak up speaker sessions and to meet with so many interesting new people, many of whom I have spoken to for

The Communicator, but have not yet had the opportunity to meet. All of this makes me feel more immersed and invested in this industry, and excited to keep working to help tell your stories.

Big things are on the horizon, and I look forward to taking the journey with CAAR’s staff, board and all of you.

Thank you,

Laura Wiens
Editor