My TOCA Experience, From Across the Pond

By Ella Boyden, PR and Communications Officer, Ransomes Jacobsen

I was recently lucky enough to be chosen as the international recipient of the TOCA stipend to attend the 2018 annual meeting in Cincinnati. I was thrilled when I received the email, and soon looked into booking flights to The Queen City!

I arrived in Cincinnati on Tuesday 1st May via JFK, New York. As soon as I reached the hotel, it was time for a quick change before heading out for the ‘newcomers meal’ at Moerlein Lager House. Despite the slight jetlag, I was pleased I went along; it was brilliant to meet some of the people I would be sharing my first TOCA experience with, and chat with them over a pint (or two) of Vienna lager!

The first day of the TOCA meeting was insightful: the content marketing panel provided a lot of food for thought, and the bus tour to the Great American Ballpark and Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum was a great way to see the city and experience my first visit to a baseball stadium.

The second, and last day of the TOCA meeting was fantastic; I learnt some useful digital marketing tools in the seminars by Ren LaForme, and the round tables in the afternoon were a great opportunity to discuss common workplace challenges and how to overcome these. I picked up some good ideas from peers that I have shared with my team in the U.K.

At the end of the TOCA meeting, I had a quick stop in Chicago on my way back home to experience the art, the pizza, and the Skydeck… the perfect way to end my trip! My experience of the TOCA meeting was one I will never forget; the networking opportunity, the education, and the peer discussions were invaluable, and I sincerely thank TOCA for providing me with the opportunity to experience it. I hope to be able to help grow TOCA internationally so that others can share the benefits of being a part of unique association. I look forward to attending a TOCA meeting in Europe soon!