Two Reviews by JCI Edinburgh First -Timers

When I first joined JCI I kept hearing about conferences, particularly the European conferences. Being told by nearly everyone that I 'had to go'. I bit the bullet and signed up not long after and boy am I glad that I did!

This year's conference in Budapest, Hungary was absolutely fantastic. The majority of the JCI Scotland delegates went over for a few days before the conference which allowed us to see some of the beautiful sights of the amazing city. Other pre-conference highlights included the curiously slightly English themed karaoke pub and dance club, and of course the Scottish pub where we sampled a fine pint of Belhaven best. Naturally a full Scottish Breakfast and can of Irn Bru was required in the morning!

The conference began with the opening ceremony which really is an event you have to see to believe! I enjoyed networking with JCI delegates from other European conferences and finding out what they do within their local chapter.

A key part of the conference for me was the training. I enjoyed fantastic training on Mindmapping. Whilst I already Mindmap and use it as a project management tool, this training provided some handy tips.

The other main area of training which I was interested in was FISH! Camp which explored the FISH! philosophy. I had heard of FISH! before but knew nothing about it, by the end of the session I was fully converted! Now back in Scotland I was so impressed I plan to look at implementing FISH! in my own workplace.

Between training, networking and the famous conference evening parties, the week flew by. Before I knew it we were at the Award Ceremonies and Gala dinner where we saw our very own Ally pickup a fantastic award.

The week came to an end and after a taxi ride with a Hungarian chap who knew more about Susan Boyle and Britain's Got Talent than any of us, we flew back to Scotland. Being greeted by news of rain, we knew we were home!

Overall a fantastic week and fantastic conference which I would absolutely recommend to any JCI member!

by Ross McLachlan

The conference programme included numerous training sessions and personal development seminars. Among those I attended, the best included the Fish Camp, Non Verbal Secrets - Body Language doesn't lie and Efficient Mind-mapping. I found the speakers inspiring yet real and approachable.

Whilst I wanted to get the most out of the personal development programme, the social side was a big part of the conference and we must not forget the legendary evening programs. My two favourites were dancing the night away at the Serbian and Danish night on the Citadel with a magnificent view of the city and the German Jagermeister-water pistol night in the Széchenyi Baths. There was also the Eurovision-esque opening night with scary Elvis and the massive Gala Dinner where Ally won Best President - well done!

Already burnt out by Saturday morning (a total of about 12 hours sleep over 3 nights), but determined to see Mr Rubik's Cube talk, I ventured along. His creativity chat again left me wanting more and I was particularly intrigued as to how quickly he would have solved the Rubik's Cube had it been thrown at him. George Soros was very articulate in answering the questions put to him in his recorded interview. I particularly liked his answer to what JCI can do about the current financial crisis to which he replied a very definite but constructive 'nothing'. It was fantastic to see such well respected people take time out for the JCI European conference which also turned out to be the biggest conference Hungary had ever seen!

The 2009 JCI European Conference was a wonderful experience and I highly recommend it to all. I can guarantee that you will only fully appreciate the possibilities of JCI when you attend a European conference. It certainly exceeded my expectations.

by Simone Medonos