The goal of the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference is to provide each participant a unique experience, regardless of the large scope of the event. To help make the conference as personal and meaningful as possible for you, we've included some helpful tips below.
Since you come to the event with your own needs and unique challenges, we tapped our community experts to create a few "suggested itineraries" based on your possible roles and interests. We hope they help!
Helpful Tips for Everyone
Download the mobile app—you need it!
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The mobile app has everything you need to navigate the conference. You'll find session titles, abstracts, maps, and up-to-date announcements of conference happenings. Create a personalized agenda by flagging interesting sessions; set up your own meetings; evaluate presenters/sessions; sort the agenda by various filters; and find information on exhibiting companies. No session titles or abstracts will be provided in the conference program—download the app now for access to full program details.
Give yourself permission to unplug from the office for a while
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You or someone else invested time and resources so you could be here. So...be here. "Just one more email…" can be deceptively tempting. Commit to being fully focused and present at the conference.
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Pro Tip: Pace yourself during the day. If you need to recharge physically, mentally, or professionally, swing by Work & Chat, Skyline Ballroom Lobby, Level 3 or Relax & Renew, Room W375A, Level 3. Remember to have some fun—join us at the EDUCAUSE Open Mic Night! Showcase your talent or watch fellow conference attendees perform on Wednesday, October 16, 6:30–9:00 p.m.
Connect with people (formally or informally)
- Do yourself a favor and don't sequester yourself during every break to respond to emails or only sit with your team during lunch. Use the mobile app to see who's onsite, how you can connect, and what you can learn from each other. Book a braindate to learn from your peers. Arm yourself with business cards for quick number exchanges, and customize your name badge for informal hallway conversation starters.
- Pro Tip: Stop by the Information Desk, Lobby, Level 1 (near registration) to pick up ribbons and stickers. Personalize your badge based on your level of association involvement, areas of interest, and fun personality quirks.
Take notes and get the presenters' slide decks
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There's a lot of information being thrown at you. Try and find a way to catch those salient talking points and which session you were in at the time it was shared. There's a note section right in the session listing on the mobile app!
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Pro Tip: We encourage all presenters to make their slide decks available. Go to the conference website during or after the event and click on the session you're looking for in the agenda. If resources have been uploaded, they'll be linked up at the bottom.
Avoid being overwhelmed
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Let's be honest, this conference can be kind of intimidating. So many sessions, peers, and companies to learn from…it can be downright daunting. But don't let it paralyze you into indecision. This is YOUR event. What do YOU need out of it?
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Pro Tip: Start with small, practical steps like going through the mobile app and marking sessions you might be interested in. Click through the Exhibitor Directory to find companies that have products or services that could help you—there’s a great feature that lets you search by categories.
Take care of yourself
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Conference dress is considered "business casual," but make sure that includes comfortable shoes and sweater or jacket. Also, be sure to stay hydrated.
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Pro Tip: Check the schedule carefully in regards to your caffeine needs. Early morning coffee is not out every morning, but there is a Starbucks located in the Central Concourse, Level 3.
Ask questions
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Staff are available at the conference Information Desk, Lobby, level 1 and throughout the venue to assist you. Don’t waste time struggling to figure out what you’re looking for or where to go. Just ask. (Pssst..we've got you covered. You can even text us your questions during business hours at 1-866-913-5307).
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Pro Tip: Questions don't always have to be conference related. While navigating the event is our specialty, we know people who can give you tips on local eateries, help address some hotel arrangements, and who can point you in the direction of the closest pharmacy or restroom.
Suggested Itineraries
Below are some suggestions for your schedule created from community members who share these interests and/or roles. Hopefully you find their crowd-sourced advice useful when choosing how to best spend your time in Chicago: