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ORIGINAL POST: TARGET-> Advice for First Time Conference Attendee- AASL Pittsburgh Hi, I am a first-year elementary school librarian who will be attending the AASL conference as my first library conference. I would like to TARGET-> Advice for First Time Conference Attendee- AASL Pittsburgh. I'd like to know if any others on LM_NET have advice for a first time conference goer. I don't know anyone who is going to the conference, so any specific advice about Pittsburgh or this particular conference would be helpful as well. Also, I remember reading that it is valuable to print address labels ahead of time to use in the exhibit drawings or mailing lists. What information should I put on my labels? If people will respond to me, I'll compile your responses and post a HIT-> on the topic back to the entire LM_NET by October 3rd. Thanks so much! Stephanie Hatley, Librarian Robinson Elementary, Houston, TX stephanie@hatley.org RESPONSES: I received a lot of great advice that I hope other first timers can use as well. Thanks so much to everyone who responded. Here is a summary of recommendations: --comfortable shoes --labels with your name, school, address, e-mail, and school phone number. --tote bag to put all your freebies in, but comfortable to carry around. --There are usually a lot, so make sure you only take what freebies you will use or read; if someone hands you something or includes it in your purchase bag, look at it and toss it if it isn't of interest, right then and there. --Since roll bags are usually forbidden on the floor either use the baggage checking service or the Convention Post Office. You can mail your stuff back and not have to pack it. --a large manila envelope in which to corral paperwork, business cards, and so on --aspirin or whatever you use to treat headaches --ditto muscle aches (Ben Gay etc.) --snack foods, conference food at the convention center is expensive --bottle of water to keep in your tote bag --comfortable clothes you can wear all day, sit on the floor in, sit in chairs in. --measurements or brand/model names for equipment like the Ellison machine,etc. (I was offered a free replacement pad at a conference and took the wrong one because I didn't know what our model # was) --a list of booths you want to check out, written in order around the hall(you might need to do this once you get there and get a map of the hall) --couple of good pens (for taking notes, writing down questions and comments, etc.) --a small tape recorder (if they'll allow you) for taping workshops --a good sense of humor, a well-rested bod, and LOTS of patience --Don't let yourself get overwhelmed. You won't get to do everything. --Talking to other librarians is about as good as it gets. Make sure you stop to do that. --Contact your jobbers and vendors to see if they are holding receptions and parties. --Expect long lines at registration. --Have business cards to exchange. Be sure your current email is on them. --Check with your hotel in advance to see if they have Internet & at what cost. Even if the conference offers free Internet, waits are often long. --Public transportation is not as established outside of the immediate pgh. area as you might think if you are from a bigger city. If you want to explore outside of PA, the easiest shopping/dining area is Station Square and the Southside. You can also get a bus to the Waterfront area. --For your own sightseeing, consider visiting "the strip district" early morning (before noon; after noon it starts to close). Ask your hotel for directions. You can probably walk. Here you'll find produce vendors, street carts, ethnic food stores, and the growing collection of yuppie shops. The smells and variety are enjoyable. Stop at Primanti Brothers for an original Pgh sandwich. --The folks at Pitt's Library School (Dr. Biagini) have really worked to encourage people to connect/network. Hopefully you registered for the dinner cruise. A trip to the Pitt campus area is a good tour as well. See the Nationality rooms on the campus in the Cathedral of Learning. --I take extra folders and large envelopes to organize the handouts I get. ---------- Toni Buzzeo writes: --Be sure to go to the AASL website and use the event planning software to create your own plan/schedule for the conference. That way, you'll know when and where your highest priority workshops are! (Mine is on Saturday afternoon: Drivers' Ed for Collaborators, 1:30-2:45, CC 320/321). --Be sure to attend the first-time attendees session. --Be sure to attend the Gala on Saturday night. It's a wonderful place to schmooze. --Attend author signings! I'm signing my children's books on Saturday from 12:00-1:00 in the Author Signing area. --Strike up conversations. If someone is sitting next to you in a workshop, they are there because they, like you, have an interest in the topic. You have something in common. Chat. You will be so glad you did. --If you're free Friday AM early--and hungry--you might want to attend the Thomson Gale Issues in Education Forum (I'm the lecturer this year). ---------- A couple of people also directed me to the Knowledge Quest articles in the May/June issue, also found online: http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslpubsandjournals/kqweb/333Main/333current.htm Stephanie Hatley -- "I cannot live without books." ~ Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. 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