A Quick History of J&K Seminars

Judi & I (Ken) started J&K in 1990 as a part-time business.  I had left my job with Lancaster Co. MH/MR and started my own private psychological practice.  Judi was working for a local medical supply company.  I learned how to organize and offer continuing education seminars for mental health professionals while working in my Lancaster Co. job.  We figured putting on CE seminars would provide some extra income — after all, how hard could it be?

We quickly realized that offering live CE seminars involved lots of details, planning, organizing, arranging, and more details.  It also involved risking thousands of dollars trusting that people would register.

Hosting The Best Live Seminars Possible

Then (and still today) we believed mental health professionals would attend our programs if we offered continuing education in ways that show we care about them not just as customers, but as caring professionals. That meant providing cutting edge practical information that will help mental health professionals serve their clients, do their jobs, and take care of themselves.  We wanted our presenters to have highly qualified backgrounds and skills. Today, we boast dozens of personal relationships with some of the most well-known mental health researchers and speakers in the industry. Knowing human service providers have limited training budgets, we offer our live CE programs at reasonable registration and hotel prices.  Those attending will find the venue comfortable and friendly. 

Who J&K Seminars Are Today?

We have changed a lot since we organized our first seminar in January 1990.  Our son, Jason (only 15 years old when we started J&K) has developed our internet capabilities and created this brand-new website.  His wife, Lauren, also helps with the website, mailing lists, and lots more.  We hired Janet Keyser Stanley as our Chief Operating Officer.  In turn she has hired and manages several part-time employees to take care of our day-to-day business that includes taking registrations & home study orders, developing brochures, updating the webinar, and everything else. When you call our office, most likely Chris will pick up, answer your questions, take your order, and respond to your concerns.  If you get our answering machine, Chris or Janet will call you back as soon as they can.  They also respond quickly to your emails.

This approach of treating our customers with respect and caring has worked.  Currently, around 80% of our seminar registrants have attended previous J&K Live Seminars.  January 2020 marks our 30th anniversary. Thank you for your comments and suggestions throughout the years.  Your input has helped us adapt to better serve you. Please keep involved.  This is my first blog and I would really like to know if you found this article of interest.  Please also let me know what other topics you want me or others to blog on.

Fondly
                Ken Ralph
                ken@jkseminars.com