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Plan Your Conference Schedule

Online Tools

Use our Itinerary Builder to chart, save, update, download, and print your conference schedule before you head to Orlando. Used in conjunction with the Knowledge Pathfinder and the Exhibit Hall Guide, the Itinerary Builder helps you to explore all activities so you can customize your schedule to meet your specific interests and needs.

Conference Schedule

You can view the full conference agenda or follow the links below for schedule information for specific dates.

A list of speakers and links to their sessions is also available.

Overview of Activities

EDUCAUSE 2008 includes many types and sizes of sessions and activities, including several exciting new additions such as Lightning Rounds, Point/Counterpoint discussions, and Innovation Showcases. All provide excellent opportunities to learn from and network with colleagues and experts in our community. Whether you are attending for the first time or are a long-time participant, you'll find the explanations below helpful as you peruse the program.

  • General Sessions—Don't miss these three opportunities to hear from internationally known leaders with key messages about the shape of our future. Be there!
  • Featured Speakers—Each chosen for a special reason, these presenters have made a difference in our community year after year. They'll share their lessons learned and give you new and valuable perspectives on some IT challenges.
  • Track Sessions—Who's doing what-and where and how are they doing it? There will be too many sessions to choose from, so divide and conquer with your colleagues. Blog what you've heard so others can benefit.
  • New!-Informal Learning Spaces—Check out these model learning spaces, similar to those available on many campuses. When not in use for conference programming, use these spaces for your own impromptu gatherings in a relaxed environment.
  • New!-Innovation Showcases—Have a to-do list of buzz words on your desk this year and want to move them off that list and into reality? Fly above the cloud of buzz words for a bird's-eye view of some innovative ideas and projects that are actually happening in green computing, learning spaces, and community source. These showcases will be a unique blend of formal presentation and informal discussion so you can get both the broad overview and deeper answers on site.
  • New!-Lightning Rounds—Move from one innovative idea to another in the track of your choice. Join this lively set of five to fifteen-minute presentations for quick summaries of interesting projects. They'll expand your horizons, broaden your perspectives, and whet your appetite for more information.
  • New!-Point/Counterpoint Sessions—Complex issues are, well…complex, and have multiple ifs, ands, and buts. Get the full picture on specific issues at these sessions, which will clarify that complexity and broaden your understanding of the full range of options as you hear diverse opinions and supporting arguments for them.
  • New!-Power Stations—Conveniently located in the foyer area of the convention center, these stations give you a place to plug in and power up your electronic devices.
  • Birds-of-a-Feather Sessions—Impromptu BOFs allow individuals and small groups to schedule and talk about areas of particular interest. BOFs are held Wednesday and Thursday, from 4:55 to 6:10 p.m. Attendees may schedule these sessions using the BOF bulletin board located near the conference registration desk. Attendees should check the same bulletin board in the conference registration area after 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday for each day's topics and room assignments.
  • Breaks—Take time to refuel and relax at the numerous refreshment breaks during the conference. Get the energy boost you'll need to make the most of the many opportunities that surround you!
  • Community Updates—Get a big-picture overview of the future as you hear from and dialogue with EDUCAUSE and collaborating organizations at these must-attend sessions. Each will cover strategic directions and priorities, major issues, and initiatives that will move our profession and its services forward in the coming years.
  • Corporate Exhibits, Technology Solution Sessions, and Corporate Workshops—See what's new and what's hot! Scan the environment for new ideas and solutions and take time to meet with the reps who may have just what you need to solve a problem back on campus. Check out the Exhibit Hall Guide, Technology Solution sessions, and workshops.
  • Discussion Sessions—You're not alone. Find out who else shares your pain or passion, who has or is looking for new solutions, and who you want to keep in touch with after the conference (and perhaps even collaborate with). These sessions offer a great chance to discover new colleagues and expand your network
  • Meet the EDUCAUSE Staff—Meet the folks who translate your needs into initiatives, working groups, and collaborative resources. Share your feedback and find out what's on the horizon for 2009. Visit the association booth (#501) at the front of the exhibit hall.
  • Poster Sessions—A smorgasbord of options to talk one-on-one with innovators is available not once, but twice. Circle the poster space, organized by topic, and hone in on the ones that promise ideas and solutions for some of those challenging projects. Get contact information so you can follow up when back on campus.
  • Feel The Spirit!Special Events—Join us for the opening reception in the EDUCAUSE 2008 exhibit hall, featuring more than 200 companies showcasing the latest technologies in higher education. On Thursday evening, follow the crowd to Feel the Spirit!—a special Halloween fête at Universal CityWalk®—where you can relax, network informally, and make new contacts.
  • Stay Connected—Sure, you have to keep up with e-mail (that's the only way they'd let you come to Orlando). But play it in reverse and send them daily messages about the new ideas and solutions you've seen and the contacts you've made that will make a difference to your campus this year.
  • Volunteer—If you're already engaged in EDUCAUSE activities, you probably had to skip a presentation at this conference for a planning meeting, and that's OK. If you're not serving in a volunteer role yet, consider adding your expertise and voice to one of the many volunteer groups that work to improve higher education IT. Find the volunteer form at www.educause.edu/volunteer.