Military invited to free conference

Salt Lake City -- A special event for military members and families will be held at the end of this year's Generations Conference.

The conference, held at the Salt Palace Convention Center March 28-30, is an annual counseling training hosted by ESI Management Group. The Utah Veterans and Families Summit, held March 30, concluding the event, will have classes and resources to inform and educate Guardsmen and their families. Classes are designed to help participants in a range of topics, from substance abuse, to education and financial planning.

Jill Lukes, the Airmen and Family Readiness Program manager for the Utah Air National Guard, said that a conference like this has not been held on this scale, and she hopes that members will consider attending.

"I think, all around, the information that is being presented will assist with the issues that go on in the real world," said Lukes. "The big issues they will be covering, like marital and financial, are those that our Guardsmen are bringing up to Family Programs coordinators."

Lukes said that she has high hopes for the event. She said they wanted to make sure as many military members will not consider the date a deterrent.

"We specifically targeted the conference for Friday so that members would be free to attend," she said. "I hope that the resources and information they will gain by attending will outweigh the fact that it is an all-day Friday event, when most members have a day off."

The event includes educational sessions throughout the day, as well as an employment and resources fair for participants to browse during breaks.

"I also hope that leadership will take the time out of their day to go to the conference," said Lukes. "I hope it will give them more insight into the issues that our Guardsmen are dealing with on a day-to-day basis."

Registration information and forms are located on the Utah ANG Air Force Portal.