John Dewey once said, “We do not learn from experience… we learn from reflecting on experience.”
(Which is very deep for a guy who never had to run a hospitality suite after a full day of breakouts and workshops with a Red Solo cup in one hand and a bottle of Pinot in the other.)

This most recent CHART conference in Redondo Beach? One for the record books — at least my record book. And the moment that stuck in my head was Kim Evans’ CHART Talk about the ROI of volunTIERing. Yes, it’s a pun. Yes, it’s a groaner. And yes, I think it’s absolute genius.

My First CHART Chapter

Flashback to 2012 during a gorgeous Chicago summer at the newly opened Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. I remember the instant connection and even the content of some of the breakouts. No one knew this, including my peer, but I had just been promoted out of the training department two weeks earlier. My love for CHART was sparked and simultaneously I mourned the loss of it. I would not see these friends for almost 10 years. My career grew in operations, but the desire for connection with CHART never wavered. The moment I found myself back in training, I knew I needed to negotiate this conference into my contract. It was a non-negotiable like PTO or oxygen.

Audrey talks with Corban Nichols at a CHART conference.

A Solo Return

Fast forward almost a decade. In 2021, I returned — solo. I did the service event. I hit the breakouts. I took notes during the keynotes like a straight-A student. And… something still felt off.

Halfway through, I saw the volunteer signup sheet. The only shifts left? Writing a blog post and working the late-night hospitality suite. I thought, “Well, I know how to bartend and at least the blog post isn’t required right now.”

Turns out, pouring wine and collecting empty cups while politely sending grownups out of the presidential suite with Tylenol was exactly what I needed. That night, my First Time Attendee (FTA) Ambassador from 11 years earlier — the legendary Calvin Banks — leaned over and asked if I’d consider joining a conference team. I politely said no, citing my “one conference” contract clause, but the seed was planted. Months later, I finally wrote that blog post. That simple volunteer signup changed my CHART path… and my career.

Audrey presenting at a CHART conference.

All In

By my next conference, I was that person — the one who signed up for shifts before my plane even took off. Blog post? Yes. Registration desk? Obviously. Random tasks? Hand me the endless roll of tickets. I had purpose, connection, and a growing suspicion that I wanted a bigger role.

And then the volunteering snowball began:

  • Orlando, 2023 – Hospitality Co-Director (also known as Party Hostess and Trash Hider). Presented my first breakout. Total flop, but I learned how to make it better.
  • Charlotte, 2024 – Facilities with Keith Strew. Bell carts, belly laughs, and a friendship that stuck. Presented my first High 5.
  • Chicago, 2024 – Communications Director, less communications and more project managing. Influenced the evolution of the role. Survived presenting a breakout attended by CHART royalty, Curt Archambault (Education Strategist) and John Poulos (past President).
  • Louisville, 2025 – Communications & Project Management, the new version of the role. Facilitated my first competency with Donna Herbel, powerhouse speaker and past President of CHART. She was willing to provide valuable feedback. I got hooked on her You. Better. Program and HOPE framework, which I still use.
  • Redondo Beach, 2025 – Conference Director. Best-in-class team of 18. If you had fun, thank them. They were amazing. If you didn’t, well… it is my fault. I forgot to feed them on Sunday.

Audrey led the 2025 CHART 108 Redondo Beach Conference Team as Conference Director.

The Real ROI

I didn’t even know who John Dewey was until I volunteered to write this article (funny how that works). But I now get what he meant: it’s not the experience alone — it’s the reflecting that turns it into something valuable.

With each tier of volunteering that I did, allowing myself to be more vulnerable and more connected, I have grown in my leadership and confidence. The investment was simply my time and energy. I didn’t have to spend a dime to gain the skills in communication, leadership, and confidence. The return on investment far exceeded the 30 minutes to four hours of time that I gave. Essentially, leveling-up each step of the way was the unintended consequence of volunteering my time and energy.

So… what’s your next volunTIER move? How will you invest in yourself?