Virginia Government Finance Officers' Association
2013 Spring Conference - Virginia Beach, VA
May 22-24, 2013
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 Welcome to the 2013 Spring Conference Home Page

The VGFOA 2013 Spring Conference will be held at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel in Virginia Beach, VA on May 22 - 24, 2013.

The tentative conference program is now available and located on the left menu.

Conference registration is available through the 'Register for Conference' link on the left menu.

Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at the conference? Visit the Vendor Information link on the left menu for important information.



Keynote Speaker: Carine McCandless


Carine McCandless is the sister of literary icon Chris McCandless, a.k.a. Alexander Supertramp, whose life story has captured the hearts of millions of people around the world. Her input was crucial to the development of Jon Krakauer’s international best seller, Into the Wild. Krakauer endorses Carine as “a gifted communicator; she is engaging, inspiring, and bracingly outspoken.” Into the Wild spent a remarkable 119 straight weeks on The New York Times best seller list, is printed in 28 languages, and is required reading at universities in countries all over the globe including the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Canada, and France.

 

Carine also worked closely with Academy Award-winning actor and writer/director Sean Penn for his critically acclaimed film adaptation of Into The Wild. An accomplished writer, Carine received screen credit for her script contributions and narrative throughout the film, working alongside Penn, celebrated poet Sharon Olds, and actress Jena Malone, who portrays Carine in Into the Wild. Carine worked as a direct consultant to Sean Penn and provided valuable insight to many of the actors, including protagonist Emile Hirsch and Academy Award winner Marcia Gay Harden.

 

Carine has been interviewed for such widely read publications as Outside magazine, The New Yorker and the Los Angeles Times. She has appeared on such national television programs as The Oprah Winfrey Show, Sunday Morning, and ABC News 20/20.


Carine McCandless has a unique skill set that lends itself well to a wide variety of lecture topics and presentations. As a successful self-made entrepreneur since the age of nineteen, Carine has twenty years of experience as a conservative businesswoman and frequently shares her experience at corporate engagements and retreats. A favorite of universities, many of which have integrated
Into the Wild into their coursework, she is an enduring voice for Chris McCandless and his legacy, inspiring the next generation to lead lives of conviction. From her own experiences as a survivor of domestic violence, to parenting a child with special needs, Carine will inspire listeners to overcome obstacles and adversity with the power of a positive attitude. She speaks with the loving support of her six other siblings: Sam, Stacy, Shawna, Shelly, Shannon, and Quinn.

 

Like her brother, Carine is passionate about helping those less fortunate. She supports a number of international and domestic charities that champion causes such as nature and wildlife conservation and human rights advocacy. Her most current philanthropic interest is with the nonprofit organization Assisi House, where she volunteers as Development Chair.