VCRA’s 2025 D.C. Convention: Connect, Collaborate, and Celebrate!
Join us March 21-23 in Washington D.C. for a weekend of education, networking, and fun! The weekend starts on Friday with speed contests and an evening river cruise, and education starts Saturday morning. Our convention is being held at the centrally located Yotel, within walking distance to Union Station and many D.C. attractions. Register now!
Register Now
Hurry! Early bird ends February 1, 2025
Cost:
$350 VCRA Member Early Bird
$385 VCRA Member and Non-Member Standard Rate
$300 VCRA Member and Non-Member Saturday only
$150 $50 (with $100 contribution from VCRF for the first 10 student registrants)
Guest Rates:
$300 Whole Convention | $250 Saturday Only
Note: Convention registration fees may be transferred but NOT refunded. Early Bird not available to Students, Non-Members and Non-Reporters/Guests.
Registration and breakfast will open at 7:30 a.m. Programming will begin at 8:00 a.m. with a motivational presentation from NCRA representative, Patti White.
Attendance/participation will be tracked by Board members punching a hole in a member’s punch card after each session concludes. Each punch card will have the participant’s name and NCRA ID number identified.
Download the PDF Schedule
Saturday Events
| Topic/Speaker |
Description |
Time/CEUs |
|
Registration Open and Breakfast
|
|
7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
|
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The Value of Community and Belonging
Patti White, RDR, CRR
NCRA Representative
|
Motivation is one of the strong components of success, and knowing how to keep yourself inspired is vital to ensuring the health of your career. Learn how to measure the impact motivation has on your business. Also, learn how to rekindle the spark to deliver the best service possible to your clients as well as potential clients.
|
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
(.10/.10/1.0)
|
|
Behind the Scenes: Court Reporting in the U.S. House of Representatives
Regina Berenato-Tell, RDR, CRR
|
Regina will delve into how she navigates the ever-changing political landscape, manages high-pressure situations, and ensures the accuracy and integrity of her transcriptions in sessions ranging from debates and hearings to critical legislative votes. |
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
(.10/.10/1.0)
|
| Walk to the Capitol |
|
10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
|
|
A Guided Tour of the United States Capitol Building
Karen N. McConnell, RMR-CRR
|
Join us for an exclusive guided walking tour of the United States Capitol Building, a historic landmark at the heart of American democracy. The experience begins with a walk from the Yotel to the Capitol, followed by a guided tour inside the building itself. This immersive journey involves walking through the halls where legislative decisions shaping the nation are made, providing a unique glimpse into the past and present of the U.S. government.
Tip: Be sure to wear comfortable shoes to make the most of this incredible experience!
|
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
(.10/.10/1.0)
|
Lunch
|
Lunch/Bylaws Changes/Annual Business Meeting/Awards/Elections
|
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
(.10 CCR Only)
|
|
Learn How to Get Out of Our Own Way
Carrie Hewerdine, RPR, RMR
|
Carrie will share her wisdom on a transformative topic: "The Way to Access Our Strengths is to Know Our Weaknesses, Accept Them Instead of Fight Them, and Learn How to Get Out of Our Own Way." In this compelling session, Carrie will explore the profound impact of self-awareness and acceptance on achieving personal and professional success. She will guide attendees through the process of identifying their weaknesses, embracing them, and ultimately leveraging this self-knowledge to unlock their true potential. |
1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
(.15/.15/1.5)
|
|
Steno in the Spotlight: Harnessing the Power of Social Media
Denee Vadell, RPR, CRR (NJ), NYACR
|
Denee will delve into "Steno and the Impact of Social Media." In this exciting session, she will share her insights on how social media platforms can be harnessed to enhance the visibility of court reporting, build professional networks, and foster a supportive community. Attendees will learn how to leverage social media to showcase their skills, advocate for the industry, and stay ahead of trends in the digital age.
|
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
(.10/.10/1.0)
|
|
Break
|
|
4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
|
|
Work Smarter, not Harder
Allison Hall RDR, CRR, CSR
|
Are you running your transcript load or is it running you? Are you dreaming about weekends to yourself and vacations where the laptop stays at home? Work Smarter, Not Harder will teach you ways to up your efficiency, stay ahead of your transcripts, take care of yourself both mentally and physically, and reduce the amount of stress in a high-stress field. |
4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
(.15/.15/1.5)
|
Total CEU Saturday: NCRA .7/ NVRA .7/CCR .6
Sunday Events
| Topic/Speaker |
Description |
Time/CEUs |
|
Breakfast
|
|
7:30 to 8:30 a.m. |
|
Mastering the Global Stage: A Conversation with Tori Pittman, Voicewriter, Stenographer & Entrepreneur
Tori Pittman, CRR, CBC, RPR, RMR
|
Tori's expertise extends to Intersteno, the International Federation for Information and Communication Processing, an organization dedicated to promoting the use of various transcription and reporting methods worldwide. As a passionate advocate for the integration of cutting-edge technology, Tori's insights on Intersteno will offer a unique perspective on competing, on global trends, and court reporting across the world. |
8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
(.10/.10/1.0)
|
|
Court Reporting Trivia: Engaging with Our History through Kahoot!
Paula Maddern and Ruth Levy, RPR
|
In this interactive and engaging Kahoot session, participants will dive into the rich history and significance of court reporting while enjoying a friendly quiz competition! Explore trivia about the Virginia Court Reporters Association (VCRA), the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), and notable facts about Washington, D.C. Test your knowledge of the profession’s history, educational opportunities, and advocacy efforts.
What is Kahoot? Kahoot is a fun and interactive game-based learning platform that allows participants to answer multiple-choice questions in real-time. It’s used to make learning both educational and entertaining, encouraging friendly competition while reinforcing key concepts.
|
9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
(.10/.10/1.0)
|
| Break |
|
10:30 to 11:00 a.m. |
|
Short Writing! The Right Approach
Allison Hall, RDR, CRR, CSR
|
Phrasing and tucking are the key to short writing. This session will teach you how to tuck those endings and a system of phrasing that is easy to understand, possible to implement, and will leave you writing much shorter, with an overall cleaner file come editing time. |
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
(.15/.15/1.5)
|
Total CEU Sunday: NCRA .35/ NVRA .35/CCR .35
Join us for a Potomac River Cruise!
We have reserved a Capitol Cruises boat for convention attendees on Friday night from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The two-hour narrated cruise tour includes hors d'oeuvres and a full bar. Beverages are available for purchase. Book your cruise reservation early! Seating is limited to 55 individuals. Tickets can be purchased for a discounted rate through the VCRA. Tickets are $70 per person and can be purchased at registration.
During the convention, the Virginia Court Reporters Foundation (VCRF) will be holding an online silent auction! The auction will be open to attendees and non-attendees. Items being auctioned will be available to view online and in person at our convention. If necessary, items will be shipped to non-attendees; however, certain items will be pickup only due to size or shipping cost.
More information about the auction, including how to donate an item, will be announced shortly.
All proceeds from this auction go directly to support the Carolyn M. O’Connor Education Fund scholarship program for court reporting students, who can receive up to $2,000 to help offset the cost related to their court reporting education, and to the VCRF General Education Fund. Donations are tax deductible.
VCRA will hold REALTIME and SPEED contests at the Convention on Friday, March 21, 2025. The Realtime Contest will be a Q&A at 225 wpm. The Speed Contest will be given at 280 wpm, with 90 minutes to transcribe. You must indicate your desire to compete in one or both contests on your conference registration form. Fee: $45 per contest.
Schedule:
3:00 - 3:30 - Warmup for both contests
3:35 - 3:45 - Realtime Contest
4:00 - 4:10 - Speed Contest (90 minutes to type up 4:10 - 5:40)
Discover D.C.
You’ll find YOTEL Washington DC in the thick of the action next to Capitol Hill. Walk through history and discover views of The US Capitol Buildings, The Supreme Court, and a collection of other historical and political monuments to be found in and around Washington Monument Grounds.
To register, attendees may contact 833-319-1883 and identify themselves as a part of the VCRA 2025 Convention or use the unique group booking link below.
Reserve Your Room
The cut-off date for reserving rooms in the discounted room block is midnight on February 18, 2025.
Patti White, RDR, CRR
Patti "Patricia” White, RDR CRR has been reporting since 1977 in state and federal court, freelance (which helped through college, thank goodness) and currently operates Good Sport Captioning. She saw the need for stadium captioning as the Cardinals were building Busch Stadium III, across the street from the U.S. courthouse in St Louis. She started captioning for local captioning firm Hear Ink and decided to fulfill a niche for stadiums. Good Sport Captioning was founded in 2006 and Patti and her team of quality stenowriters currently caption for MLB, NFL, MLS and collegiate stadia.
Seeing the need for equal access, Patti also decided to pursue CART. Her children, both adopted internationally, had challenges that needed to be addressed in school, so she started offering CART services to the local school district. Currently, Good Sport provides CART at the university level and all the writers agree they’re getting smarter every day!
Patti has a Bachelor of Science from Southern Illinois University and successfully passed the RPR, RMR, RDR, CRR, CRC, CCP exams during the course of her career and recently passed the MO CCR.
Regina A. Berenato-Tell, RDR, CRR,CCR
House of Representatives Reporter Regina A. Berenato-Tell is an RDR, CRR, and a NJ CCR. She has been reporting for 38 years and has worked as a freelance reporter, as an official in Delaware and New Jersey Superior Courts as well as Federal District Court for the District of New Jersey. She has been a member of the House of Representatives Office of Official Reporters team for the past seven years working first as a Committee Reporter and then on the floor. She also is a Reader of the Congressional Record. In her spare time Regina enjoys playing pickleball and spending time with her grandchildren.
Karen N. McConnell, RMR, CRR, CRC
Karen N. McConnell, RMR-CRR-CRC, has been a reporter for 51 years. She is a graduate of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and was a freelance reporter for 35 years, doing complex litigation. She then turned to providing CART and captioning for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community for various government agencies, universities, and organizations. In 2012, Karen joined the staff of the Office of Official Reporters for the United States House of Representatives. She worked as a Committee Reporter for 5 years and as a Floor Reporter, then Reader of the Record. In 2022, Karen became the Deputy Chief Reporter and currently holds that position. Karen enjoys reading, exercising, and playing with her dogs and grandchild.
Carrie Hewerdine, RPR, RMR
Carrie Hewerdine is a seasoned court reporter with a passion for empowering others through her insights on personal and professional development. With over two decades of experience in the field, Carrie has established herself as a respected figure in the court reporting community, known for her precision, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Carrie will share her wisdom on a transformative topic: "The Way to Access Our Strengths is to Know Our Weaknesses, Accept Them Instead of Fight Them, and Learn How to Get Out of Our Own Way." In this compelling session, Carrie will explore the profound impact of self-awareness and acceptance on achieving personal and professional success. She will guide attendees through the process of identifying their weaknesses, embracing them, and ultimately leveraging this self-knowledge to unlock their true potential.
Carrie's engaging and relatable speaking style, combined with her deep understanding of the challenges faced by court reporters, makes her a standout speaker at this event. Attendees will leave her session inspired and equipped with practical strategies to harness their strengths and overcome obstacles in their careers and lives.
Denee Vadell, RPR, CRR (NJ), NYACR
Denee Vadell is a Senior Court Reporter at the New York County Civil Supreme Court, where she has served since February 2024. Based at the iconic 60 Centre Street in New York City, Denee brings a wealth of expertise in realtime stenography to one of the busiest civil courts in the country. Her ability to deliver precise, on-the-spot transcripts makes her a key asset in fast-paced legal settings.
In addition to her role in the courtroom, Denee is a seasoned Realtime Captioner. Since August 2023, she has worked with Steno Captions, where she provides hybrid captioning services throughout the New York City metropolitan area. Her freelancing career also includes over eight years of experience with Accurate Communication, where she serves as an on-site CART Provider and Large Screen Captioner, ensuring accessibility for individuals with hearing impairments at various events.
Denee's previous experience includes five years as an Official Court Reporter for Bronx Criminal Court (2018-2024) and over a year as a Realtime Captioner for VITAC, where she honed her skills in delivering high-quality live captions for remote audiences.
With a background in law, Denee has completed coursework in Property Law, Professional Responsibility, Constitutional Law, and other critical areas, giving her a deeper understanding of the legal framework she operates within. She is also trained in UX design, specifically Mobile Interaction Design, enhancing her ability to engage with technology to better serve her clients and the broader community.
A graduate of StenoTech Career Institute, where she earned her degree in Court Reporting/Stenography (2009-2012), Denee is a respected professional with advanced skills in Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART). Her dedication to the court reporting industry, combined with her innovative use of technology, makes her a leader in both the legal and captioning fields.
Allison Hall, RDR, CRR, CSR
Allison is a court reporter of 25 years and currently works as a freelance reporter. Allison teaches motivated court reporters how to pass their certification tests. Allison also teaches eager court reporting students at Tulsa Community College, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City, and The College of Court Reporting. Allison enjoys public speaking and has taught seminars on shortening writing styles, efficiency, the future of court reporting, how to be an effective mentor, focused practice, and legal education seminars to both judges and attorneys. Allison qualified in NCRA’s National Speed Contest in 2023. Allison earned a third place bronze medal in the 280 wpm Q&A leg of NCRA’s 2022 National Speed Contest. Allison qualified overall in NCRA’s 2022 National Speed Contest. Allison qualified in the 200 wpm literary leg of NCRA’s 2022 National Realtime Contest. Allison earned a second place silver medal in the 280 wpm Q&A leg of NCRA’s National Speed Contest in 2021. Allison qualified in NCRA's National Speed Contest in 2018. Allison qualified in NCRA's National Realtime Contest in 2018. Allison qualified in NCRA's National Speed Contest in 2016. Allison is the recipient of the 2022 Oklahoma Bar Association Liberty Bell Award in recognition of her contributions to the legal profession. Allison is the recipient of the 2022 Steno in the City Philanthropist Award in recognition of passion, commitment, and unstoppable initiative. Allison is the recipient of the 2020 Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Award of Excellence in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Oklahoma Judiciary. Allison is the recipient of the Oklahoma Court Reporters Association Distinguished Reporter Award for 2018. Allison is a Certified Shorthand Reporter in Oklahoma and California, a Registered Professional Reporter, a Certified Realtime Reporter, a Registered Merit Reporter, a Certified Reporting Instructor, and a Registered Diplomate Reporter. Allison holds an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Court Reporting from Central Penn College in Summerdale, Pennsylvania.
Tori Pittman, CRR, CBC, RPR, RMR
Tori Pittman is a highly accomplished stenographer, voice writer, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the court reporting profession. Throughout her career, Tori has gained recognition not only for her exceptional skills but also for her unwavering dedication to the advancement of the industry.
Tori holds multiple certifications from the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), which include the following:
- Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR)
- Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC)
- Registered Professional Reporter (RPR)
- Registered Merit Reporter (RMR)
These prestigious certifications reflect Tori's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and professionalism in her work, whether it be in realtime reporting, broadcast captioning, or general stenographic services.
Her extensive expertise has also made her a sought-after participant in Intersteno, the International Federation for Information and Communication Processing. Tori’s involvement in Intersteno competitions has garnered her four Gold Cup awards in the voicewriting category, showcasing her mastery of voice-to-text transcription on a global stage.
With over two decades of hands-on experience, Tori continues to be a dynamic force in the court reporting industry, combining her certification achievements with her entrepreneurial endeavors. She remains a passionate advocate for the integration of cutting-edge technology in the profession, mentoring the next generation of reporters and voice writers, and serving as a prominent leader in the global transcription community.
Paula Maddern
Paula is a highly skilled and respected stenographer with over 12 years of experienced, based in Chesterfield, Virginia. She has established herself as a leading figure in the court reporting industry, known for her meticulous attention to detail and her dedication to preserving the integrity of the legal record. Paula's expertise in court reporting includes depositions, trials, and hearings, working with a diverse range of legal professionals across the Richmond area and beyond. Her proficiency in delivering precise and timely transcripts has earned her a stellar reputation within the legal community.
Paula is known for her active involvement in the court reporting community, including currently serving as Secretary of the VCRA, VA’s NCSA representative, and participating in events such as the Virginia School Counselor Association Annual Conference, mentoring new reporters, and advocating for the advancement of stenography. Her extensive experience and dedication to her craft make her a trusted and valued court reporter in Richmond, where she continues to serve the legal profession with distinction.
Ruth Levy, RPR
Ruth Levy has been a court reporter for almost 32 years, starting her career doing daily copy in Toronto, Canada, her dream city, at the age of 20. After moving to Richmond in 1994 with her husband Ty, she worked at various freelance firms (usually more than one at a time) and loved the flexibility it afforded me as she raised her son and daughter. Ruth wanted to become a court reporter since the 10th grade when a court reporter came to her typing class explaining her career. She can’t imagine doing anything else! In April of 2023, she decided it was time to try something new and became a Federal Official Reporter for Judge Hannah Lauck in the Eastern District of Virginia. she loves to cook, play pickleball, read, do puzzles, and spend time with her family and friends (and Mojo the cat). I love meeting new people and learning new things - court reporting (and life!) has always offered both.
