Tips for Making the Most of the Conference

Welcome! Thank you for joining us at the 2009 Southwest Regional Conference. In the interest of making your time at the conference rewarding and enjoyable, you will find a few helpful hints below.

If you have questions about any aspect of the conference after your arrival in San Antonio, please feel free to ask me, any member of the program committee, or EDUCAUSE staff. We will be on hand throughout the conference and are happy to help. So that you can easily spot us, committee member name badges will have white colored ribbons.

Sincerely,
Ann Kovalchick
2009 Program Committee Chair
Deputy CIO, Tulane University

Program

This year's conference, "Balancing Acts: Making IT Work for Everyone," will examine solutions and strategies for meeting the broad range of technology needs that define the higher education experience. The increasing importance of demonstrating IT's value and the ubiquitous nature of technology as a resource require IT professionals to juggle many different perspectives. This conference will offer colleagues the opportunity to share insights on what works and how to prepare for the next big thing coming our way.

The program committee worked diligently to provide a diverse and content-rich professional development opportunity for you and your colleagues in the region. The program content takes many formats: keynote presentations, concurrent track sessions, poster sessions, discussion sessions, and more. You'll have the chance to network with others working on the same issues that cross your desk each day. There will be many opportunities for you to contribute from your own experience as well as to learn from the experiences of others. You may find yourself jotting down new ideas, new contacts, and "lessons learned" throughout each day of the conference.

Join us for a brief roadmap session at the beginning of the conference in the Primavera Room, February 24, 10:30–11:30 a.m. In addition to an overview of the conference, the speakers will offer tips for:

• Selecting the right sessions to attend
• Networking with colleagues
• Taking home what you learn
• Ways to become more professionally involved in EDUCAUSE activities

You may also find these two EDUCAUSE Quarterly articles helpful:

• Ideas to Action: Ten Hints for Getting the Most from a Conference
• "At Least One" Way to Add Value to Conferences

Connect with Colleagues

Registration Lists

Use the Affinity Finder on the conference website's Registration page to sort the registration list by interest or geographical location, or to search for fellow attendees. (For noncommercial use by conference attendees only; login required.)

Ribbon Bar

Zero in on the interests and experiences of fellow participants at the Ribbon Bar by customizing your name badge with up to five ribbons that best describe you and your interests. Look for others with the same ribbons to maximize your networking opportunities.

Reception

Get better acquainted with colleagues while enjoying a great view of the city at the reception, February 24, 5:30–6:30 p.m., in the Courtyard.

Connect with Staff

Meet EDUCAUSE staff during break times at the information table near the refreshment break area. Share feedback, learn more about what your association is working on, and discover how you can get the most from your institution's membership.

Resources

Blogging and Tagging

Whether contributing or consuming content about the conference through blogs, social bookmarking sites, or photo-sharing services (like Flickr), use the tag EDUCAUSE_SWRC09. EDUCAUSE members can sign up for a blog at EDUCAUSE Connect to add their thoughts about the conference.

Twitter

Share your conference experience with others in "real time" by posting your thoughts on Twitter at #SWRC09. Set up your free Twitter account today.

"Think Stops"

Look for the large white boards in the conference registration lobby area. Each is a "Think Stop" where you can add your ideas, or build on the ideas of others. Each board will have a different topic area. So, stop! Think! Then pick up a marker, and write! Content will be captured for the conference proceedings.