The evening’s program began with a media presentation that saluted employees by featuring photographs of probation officers, surveillance officers, and support staff who work each day to supervise offenders, protect the safety of our citizens, and participate in community activities. The highlight of the opening ceremony was a video produced by the Office of Staff Development and Training, which served as a tribute to Community Corrections staff who were deployed to the eastern counties of the state to help in the Hurricane Floyd Relief Effort.

Speaking at the conclusion of the ceremony, Community Corrections Director Robert Lee Guy said, "What we have seen tonight is a poignant reminder of the quality and dedication of Division employees and others who have been instrumental in making the NCPPA a major factor in the successes which we have shared. Tonight’s program is a fitting tribute to them and an inspiring way to highlight the work our people have done. There is no more appropriate way to recognize their efforts and give to them our sincerest thanks for a job well done."

At the conference, the association gave out a new practitioner award called the Chester Wiggins Award. Wiggins, the NCPPA president from 1997-1998, died last year from cancer at age 60. The award was created to honor an individual’s outstanding efforts in the areas of leadership, community involvement and anyone who has dedicated themselves to helping others as Wiggins did. This year’s recipient was Glenn Mills, who was nominated for his enormous efforts after Hurricane Floyd. Mills, who has been Judicial Division One chief in Greenville since 1996, not only organized staff and volunteers to help those in need, but he also functioned as a central contact to officers from all divisions, central office staff and various law enforcement agencies. Co-workers describe him as someone with a high level of compassion and professionalism. Mills started his career with the Department as a probation officer in Carteret County in 1977.

During the three-day conference, staff attended a number of workshops, which included Managing Your Time, Stress Management, Drugs of Y2K, Home vs. Office and many more.