Since the very first Literacy and Learning Day in April of 2003, the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology - NAIT - has been a true believer in the value of helping to provide this world-class learning opportunity to parents, grandparent and caregivers of children in Edmonton and surrounding areas. NAIT Administration and staff members worked tirelessly alongside the organizers of each Literacy and Learning Day for eight great conferences, up to and including Literacy and Learning Day 2010. Without this valuable partnership, it would have been very difficult for the Board and Organizing Committee to establish and maintain the quality and free admission of each event.
Sadly, the economic realities that many of our post-secondary institutions are facing this year due to substantial reductions in provincial funding have resulted in NAIT no longer being able to be the host venue for future Literacy and Learning Day Conferences. While we will greatly miss the familiarity and comfort that we had grown used to at NAIT over the past eight years, the Board of Directors recognizes that this is a 'graduation' of sorts. In our infancy as an organization, NAIT was there to help guide and assist us in producing a great conference! We have now reached the point where NAIT needs to pass us up to the next level, encouraging us to continue to learn, to grow and to experience all that awaits us. With a final, hesitant glance over our shoulders, we wave our farewells to NAIT; grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such an incredible institution, for the relationships we grew and for the time spent serving the needs of our community together. Thank you, NAIT, for all that you have done since 2003 to help us in our mission. You were a great partner, and we will remember you with fondness.