Aarhus, Denmark was my third European Conference and if the first two were anything to go by I knew I would have another experience of a lifetime. The Opening Ceremony kicked off with a wonderful display from the "Super Flying Kids", Denmark's answer to Spellbound on Britain's Got Talent but way better. The Opening party was hosted by JCI Denmark and as I donned my kilt and waved my Scotland flag I began to see and make friends with fellow JCI members from across Europe and further afield.

The days were full of training, keynote speakers, public speaking competition (which was won by Solveig Malvik of JCI London), debating competition and networking. I attended a really popular and fantastic training session entitled 'Influence' by Esther ter Beek, a JCI trainer who I first met at the European Leadership Academy in 2009. This session was about how to make a bigger impact and how we can influence the decision making process. I also attended a couple of sessions of General Assembly, where JCI National Presidents come together to discuss the direction of the organisation. I saw fabulous presentations for World Congress 2010 in Osaka, Japan, European Conference 2011 in Tarragona, Catalonia and World Congress 2011 i Brussels, Belgium. I cannot wait to get on the plane to Osaka after seeing what the Japanese have in store for us!! I also attended an IMPACT forum, where Local Presidents of JCI chapters all over Europe came together to discuss the successes and challenges we have faced in our tenure to date. I learnt so much from this forum, inspiring me to continue our great work in Edinburgh over the remaining months of 2010 and beyond. Another great initiative, during the Conference, was the Duck Race in aid of JCI Nothing But Nets campaign (JCI's initiative to buy as many bednets as possible to help eradicate malaria). 700 yellow rubber ducks were thrown into the river in the Centre of Aarhus. As the ducks raced down the river the crowd went quackers as our World President Roland Kwemain picked the winning duck up at  the finishing line. $7,000 was raised for JCI Nothing But Nets.

We had a ball at the German Night, where the Jagermeister was flowing and the Catalonia Night where the Sangria and Spanish Electro-Pop went down rather well as we partied in the Ridehuset. Sadly, it came to an end all too soon with a grand Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner, and the Dutch challenged the Germans to a sing-off (complete with vuvuzela accompaniment)!! This was another Conference in the City of Smiles which I shall not forget in a hurry and one where even more lifelong friends were made. To fully appreciate the opportunities open when you are a member of JCI, attendance at an International event is a necessity!! I did and was smiling all the way back to sunny Edinburgh.

Kenneth Logan

(2010 JCI President)