Oftentimes captured in dry presentations, data and numbers are not necessarily the most exciting things to learn about.  So, when I developed a session for the state Extension conference on secondary data, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  Titled “Show Me The Data: Finding and Using Online Data for your County” the session provided an inside look into the in-depth data compiled for the community needs assessment, discussed other and related sources of county level data, provided help with understanding the data, and shared tips on how to navigate some commonly used online data websites.  Hoping for the best, I prepared materials for 30 participants and expected that the recycle bin might have a healthy donation afterwards.  

As the time approached for my session and people began to arrive, I directed them to the handouts of the presentation as well as data for each county in the state from the Statewide Needs Assessment’s secondary data.  As more and more people arrived, slowly the number of audience members grew.  When I went to begin my presentation, I looked up and realized that not only was the room filled to capacity, but since there were no more seats available, there was also a sizable number of people standing in the back of the room and even in the doorway.  As several participants noted afterwards, they were not surprised by the number of attendees as they always found that I was able to present and talk about data in a way that made the numbers come alive.