Conference Connections

Online Personal Conference Planner is Now Available

The Online Personal Conference Planner is now available on the SLA Web site.

The online planner contains the latest conference information. The personal scheduling feature allows you to create and save your own calendar for the conference.  There is also a feature called iCal that enables you to save the session directly to your Outlook Calendar.   

 

In order to use the personal scheduling function of the planner, you must create a username (your email address) and password for the system by clicking the "Sign Up Now" button.  These login values are separate from the main SLA Web site login information.  (For browsing without the ability to save sessions to your schedule, simply enter the planner as a guest.)

 

Once you are in the system, you may browse sessions, by day, speaker or SLA unit.   

 

As a reminder, the preliminary conference program will be sent with the January/February edition of Information Outlook. 

Preliminary Conference Program - Now Available on SLA's Web site

The Preliminary Conference Program is now available for download!  To preview the SLA 2009 Conference & INFO-EXPO schedule check out the SLA Web site.

The printed preliminary conference program, is being published with the January/February issue of Information Outlook.  

With over 300 sessions and networking opportunties there is sure to be something for everyone!  Register now to attend the premier event for Information Professionals in 2009.    

Top 10 Reasons for Attending SLA 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO

It's no secret that today's changing technology and ever-increasing management expectations require information professionals to demonstrate a positive impact on their organizations.  You have to be a great researcher and manager, but you also have to help your organization put knowledge to work as a strategic asset - across the enterprise, day in and day out. At the SLA 2009 Annual Conference, 14-17 June, we'll be taking your career to new heights. How to develop it. Maintain it. And, yes, how to flaunt it. 

Here are the top reasons you should attend SLA 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO.

1. You will receive 3 days of education (even more if you attend pre-conference continuing education courses), invaluable networking opportunities, and access to industry vendors.  Your conference experience will help you build skills and a network that you can bring back to the office and share with your colleagues.
2. You can hold a mini-conference when you return.  Bring back concrete examples of best practices and technology applications that you can demonstrate in your information center.
3. Networking opportunities abound!  Sometimes the most valuable things you learn are from other information professionals.
4. Case studies and real life examples.  Many of the sessions will feature best practices and valuable tips that you can learn from immediately and use to plan future services. 
5. Top-notch exhibit hall.  Looking for new vendors or new products?  Use the INFO-EXPO to talk one-on-one with representatives of the leading companies in the industry.  Learn about new products and services that can help your information center excel in its mission.
6. A keynote presentation by General Colin L. Powell and a panel of industry luminaries:  hear from the biggest names in the information industry. Keynotes provide an overarching view of the current state and future of the information profession and the global information landscape.
7. If you learn one thing, it could save you lots of money and time down the road.  A small investment now will have big pay-off later.
8. Washington, D.C., the annual conference location, is easily accessible from almost everywhere, with Amtrak stations and three nearby airports.
9. While you’re in D.C., you’ll have access to a large number of libraries of all different types.  Arrange a visit to the library of a local organization to see first-hand how other info pros manage information resources and deliver services to their clients.
10. Share your knowledge with colleagues.  Everyone has an idea or experience that others will find valuable.

Registration for SLA 2009 & INFO-EXPO is now open!   Visit the SLA 2009 Web site for more information. 

It's no secret that today's changing technology and ever-increasing management expectations require information professionals to demonstrate a positive impact on their organizations.  You have to be a great researcher and manager, but you also have to help your organization put knowledge to work as a strategic asset - across the enterprise, day in and day out. At the SLA 2009 Annual Conference, 14-17 June, we'll be taking your career to new heights. How to develop it. Maintain it. And, yes, how to flaunt it. 

Here are the top reasons you should attend SLA 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO.

1. You will receive 3 days of education (even more if you attend pre-conference continuing education courses), invaluable networking opportunities, and access to industry vendors.  Your conference experience will help you build skills and a network that you can bring back to the office and share with your colleagues.
2. You can hold a mini-conference when you return.  Bring back concrete examples of best practices and technology applications that you can demonstrate in your information center.
3. Networking opportunities abound!  Sometimes the most valuable things you learn are from other information professionals.
4. Case studies and real life examples.  Many of the sessions will feature best practices and valuable tips that you can learn from immediately and use to plan future services. 
5. Top-notch exhibit hall.  Looking for new vendors or new products?  Use the INFO-EXPO to talk one-on-one with representatives of the leading companies in the industry.  Learn about new products and services that can help your information center excel in its mission.
6. A keynote presentation by General Colin L. Powell and a panel of industry luminaries:  hear from the biggest names in the information industry. Keynotes provide an overarching view of the current state and future of the information profession and the global information landscape.
7. If you learn one thing, it could save you lots of money and time down the road.  A small investment now will have big pay-off later.
8. Washington, D.C., the annual conference location, is easily accessible from almost everywhere, with Amtrak stations and three nearby airports.
9. While you’re in D.C., you’ll have access to a large number of libraries of all different types.  Arrange a visit to the library of a local organization to see first-hand how other info pros manage information resources and deliver services to their clients.
10. Share your knowledge with colleagues.  Everyone has an idea or experience that others will find valuable.

Registration for SLA 2009 & INFO-EXPO is now open!   Visit the SLA 2009 Web site for more information. 

How can I convince my boss that I should attend SLA 2009?

Here are a few of the great reasons that you can use to convince him/her that attending the SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO is a smart investment:

1. Costing less than other industry conferences, and offering more than 250 sessions, panels and keynotes, the SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO is by far the best value for your money.
2. SLA is the premier organization for information professionals.  As the conference of the year, it's your best chance to learn about best practices, network to find solutions to information service challenges, and get hands-on technology training.
3. SLA’s conference speakers are the top industry experts. Pick the brains of the information professional community's foremost experts.  Get answers to your specific questions and exclusive insight into the technologies you use every day.
4. Education helps professionals work smarter with today’s smaller budgets, fewer resources and looming deadlines. Attending the 2009 SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO is the most cost-effective way to get the professional development you need. 
5. Investing in employees' education is the best way to reward top employees, keep morale high, drive innovation and show that the company is committed to the  growth of its valuable team members.
6. The INFO-EXPO is *the* place to meet with vendors, learn about new technologies, and comparison shop for information products and services.

Some things attendees from the 2008 SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO said when asked if they would refer a business associate:

• A great experience with many learning and networking opportunities.
• Attending SLA is valuable in identifying trends in the info industry, networking with other professionals, continuing education opportunities, discovering new vendors, hearing top notch speakers…
• Continuing education classes are excellent, and conference programming sessions are very informative. It's a great opportunity to look at/evaluate products, meet vendors and ask questions, network with colleagues…
• Essential for professional development in a rapidly changing field.
• Excellent conference programming and pre-conference workshops; great keynote speakers; many opportunities for networking; great array of exhibitors; many amenities such as the wireless lounge [and] computer access….. Excellent value for the money!
• Excellent for keeping current with trends
• Good variety of topics covered, as well as in-depth coverage of future technological trends, hands-on workshops, focused pre-con classes, strong exhibitor hall….

Plan now to attend the SLA 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO.  Registration is now open!  For more information about the SLA Conference go to the SLA 2009 Web site.

Conference & Chapters

Is your chapter doing something outstanding to assist your members in attending the SLA 2009 Conference and INFO-EXPO?  Willing to share your ideas? 

I am hearing many good ideas about how chapters are helping their members attend conference.  

• Are you offering a scholarship?

• Is your chapter within driving distance, so maybe you are doing things to help save on travel costs. Car pooling? Renting a bus?

I want to hear from you!  Please post a comment so that all can see and share in the ideas.  Or you can always email me at kfoldvik@sla.org.

We look forward to seeing you as we celebrate our Centennial at the 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO!

Session Sneak Preview

We understand that some attendees need to see the programming before they are able to decide if they can attend SLA 2009.  There are a few ways that you can find out what sessions are scheduled.  If you are particularly interested in what a particular division is presenting, I would contact that division to get a list of their currently scheduled programs.  The preliminary conference program, published with the January/February issue of Information Outlook, and the online planner will be available later in February.  In the meantime, in addition to the Spotlight Sessions, I have randomly selected a few titles from our current programming.  
 

Opening General Session and Awards Presentation
Former Secretary of State General Colin Powell will be our featured keynote speaker.
Sponsored by: Dow Jones & Company

SLA Closing General Session and Membership Meeting
Judy Woodruff will be moderating this closing session, with Robyn Meredith, Neil deGrasse Tyson and John Patrick. These thought leaders will share their insights on the future in their fields and the outlook for both information and information professionals. The winner of the 2009 Smart Car will also be announced herat this meeting.
Sponsored by: Dialog

SLA Tech Zones
Info pros designed these hands-on sessions for other info pros.They are scheduled throughout the conference on such topics as blogs, Web databases, multimedia presentations, and more. Tickets must be purchased separately and are listed in the daily schedule of events.
Sponsored by: Dow Jones & Company
 
Be the CEO of Your Life: Finding Balance in the Flexible Job Age
Speaking: Ellen Kossek, Michigan State University
Presented by: Social Science Division Labor Section; Legal Division

Government, Business and Society: Who Shapes Whom?
Speaking: Terry Alexander, Business Monitor
International; Elizabeth Elford, British Library
Presented by: SLA Europe Chapter; Asian Chapter; Australia and New Zealand Chapter; International Information Exchange Caucus; Sub-Saharan Africa Chapter

Imagining Knowledge Government Access in Virtual Worlds
Speaking: Michael Macedonia, PhD, Forterra Federal Systems; Jeffery Morrison, PhD, Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA); Paulette Robinson, PhD, National Defense University & Federal Consortium for Virtual Worlds
Presented by: Information Technology Division; Military Libraries Division

Conversation, Collaboration & Community: Web 2.0 Has Something for Everyone
Speaking: Kent Anderson, New England Journal of Medicine; Marie Kaddell, LexisNexis
Presented by: Pharmaceutical & Health Technology Division; Knowledge Management Division

The New Face of the Special Librarian: Embedded Librarians
Speaking: Josh Duberman, National Institute’s of Health; David Shumaker, Catholic University of America; Barb Zinter, Suncor Energy
Presented by: Solo Librarians Division; Business and Finance Division; Pharmaceutical & Health Technology Division

Globalization: Emerging Opportunities for the Library Profession
Speaking: Larisa Brigevich, Franklin Templeton Investments; Jane Kinney Meyers, Lubuto Library Project; Saule T. Omarova, University of North Carolina School of Law
Presented by: Social Science Division; International Relations Section of DSOC; Leadership and Management Division

CI Clinic: The Prescription for Your CI Needs
Speaking: Ellen Naylor, The Business Intelligence Source; Jennifer Swanson, Swanson & Associates
Presented by: Competitive Intelligence Division

Effective Communication Strategies: How to Understand and Be Understood by Customers and Co-Workers
Speaking: Pamela Bruner, Creating Powerfully
Presented by: Military Libraries Division

Paradigm Shift in Scholarly Communication: Science and Technology Developments in India
Speaking: Debal C. Kar, Library and Information Centre
Presented by: Science-Technology Division; Education Division

This is just a sampling of the courses that will be offered.  There are also a variety of Continuing Education courses, roundtables and networking opportunities available.  This is a critical time for the information industry, and you cannot afford to miss these wonderful learning opportunities. Make your plans today to attend SLA 2009 to participate in the knowledge sharing, continuous learning opportunities, and exploration of the latest technologies.

Also, be sure  to come and join us at the INFO-EXPO to see the more than 300 exhibiting companies available to discuss their products and services with you.

Future Conference Dates

SLA has just finalized details of future Annual Conferences through the year 2015!

Previously announced:

2010:  New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, 13-16 June

2011:  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, 12-15 June

2012:  Chicago, Illinois, USA, 15-18 July

New:

2013:  Phoenix, Arizona, USA, 9-12 June

2014:  Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 8-11 June

2015:  Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 14-17 June

  

And, just announced at Leadership Summit in January:

The 2010 Leadership Summit, scheduled for 13-16 January, will be held in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

Conference Programming

Wondering what programs will be offered at the SLA 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO? 

The preliminary conference program will be sent out to the membership in the January/February edition of Information Outlook.  Also, the online conference planner will open in just a few short weeks.   So, be sure to check back often for updates! 

Spotlight Sessions are back!  This popular series represent collaboration amoung SLA divisions to bring attendees targeted, high-quality learning opportunities.   This year's Spolight Sessions are:

Monday, 15 June 2009

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Social Networking: The Essence of Innovation
Presented by: Leadership and Management Division

1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
How Do You Move Up the Ladder If There Is No Ladder to Climb?
Presented by: Solo Librarians Division and Transportation Division

3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The Library of the Future: Discovery in the Round
Presented by: Education Division and Leadership and Management Division

Tuesday, 16 June 2009

9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Transformational Leadership: Inspirational Language
Presented by: Leadership and Management Division

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
SLA at 100: From Putting Knowledge to Work to Building the Knowledge Culture
Presented by: Museums, Arts & Humanities Division and Retired Members Caucus

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Practical Strategies for Improving ROI
Presented by: Business and Finance Division, Knowledge Management Division, Leadership and Management Division, Legal Division, and Pharmaceutical & Health Technology Division

Wednesday, 17 June 2009

8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Creating Groupies: How to Add Value, Make Yourself Irreplaceable & Beat the Pants Off Google
Presented by: Legal Division and Solo Librarians Division

With almost 300 different programs and events to choose from there will be something for everyone at SLA 2009 Conference & INFO-EXPO!   Register Today!