The plug first—Today is the early bird registration deadline for the 2012 Americans for the Arts Annual Convention.

Register today to save up to $175 and join us in San Antonio from June 8-10.

As if the video wasn't enough, here are some more reasons why you should attend:

This year's Americans for the Arts Annual Convention focuses squarely on how arts organizations can change and thrive in The New Normal—a landscape of economic uncertainty and shifting demographics. And for me, the key word is "change."

There are so many opportunities for nonprofit organizations of all shapes and sizes to rethink how they do what they do, how they could do it all better, and what needs they are really interested in serving.

It's the new ideas and innovations coupled with best practices that always makes the Annual Convention exciting for me, whether it's attending as a staff member of Americans for the Arts or as an Emerging Leader 13 years ago for the first time in Atlanta.

Sessions on arts in healing, programming for culturally specific populations, and serving veterans through the arts will present what the discoveries of arts groups on the cutting edge. And speakers such as Luis Ubiñas, president of the Ford Foundation, and Naomi Shihab Nye, inspiring poet, will remind all of us why we chose the nonprofit arts field in the first place.

Whether you're attending the Emerging Leaders or Public Art Preconferences or the main convention, you'll also have the opportunity to network and have a great time with colleagues from across the country.

If you haven't been to Annual Convention before, you should know there's more than enough content, inspiration, and know how to help you and your organization adapt to the current arts landscape and look to the future. And if you have been to Convention, remember that your experience and voice add to the discussion about the future.

See you in San Antonio!