Conference Connections

Looking for a Roommate for SLA 2009?

A page has been added to the DC/SLA Chapter Conference Wiki to help those looking to share a hotel room at the SLA 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO.

We hope that the wiki can facilitate roomsharing, but please note that attendees are responsible for verifying that the people you room with are SLA members/conference attendees.  SLA HQ and the D.C. Chapter are not responsible for the validity of the requests. 

Traveling with Kids to the 2009 Annual Conference?

Are you traveling to the 2009 SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO with your family?  Do you need ideas for activities for children?  The Washington, D.C., Chapter has suggested visiting the Our Kids site to learn about events and activities in the D.C. metro area during your visit. You can view the public website or visit the Our Kids members area to view specific activities that you can do with your family while in the Washington, D.C., area.  

In order to access the members-only area, use the following login information:
Userid: sla@our-kids.com
Password: slaconference

You can also view the weekly newsletter or search the events database.

Questions?

Please contact Our Kids at info@our-kids.com for assistance. Let them know that you are an SLA member and are attending the 2009 SLA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

To find more suggestions for the Washington, D.C., area, make sure to check out the
Washington, D.C., Chapter Hospitality Wiki.

Top Ten Reasons You Can't Miss SLA 2009

At the SLA 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO, you will have the opportunity to take your career to new heights through valuable learning and networking exposure.

Early Bird Registration deadline is fast approaching, so be sure to register by 3 April and you'll save a boat load on money! (OK...more like US$ 180.00)

(With apologies to David Letterman)

The Top Ten Reasons YOU Can't Miss SLA 2009

10. Learning, learning, and more learning. You will receive 3 days of education (more if you attend pre-conference Continuing Education) and vendor interactions that will help you build skills and a network that you can bring back to the office and share.

9. You can hold a mini-conference when you return. Bring back concrete examples and hands-on technologies that you can show your colleagues.

8. Washington, D.C. Even if you've been to Washington many times, this is proving to be an exciting year in the Nation's Capital.

7. Networking opportunities abound! Sometimes the most valuable things you'll learn will happen through talking with other information professionals.

6. Case studies and real life examples. Many of the sessions feature real life examples that you can learn from immediately.

5. Top-notch exhibit hall. Looking for new vendors or new products? Get invaluable time to talk one-on-one with the leading companies in the industry at the SLA INFO-EXPO.

4. Keynote presentation and panel of industry luminaries: Featuring Colin Powell and a panel moderated by Judy Woodruff discussing the current state and future of the information profession with Robyn Meredith, Neil deGrasse Tyson and John R. Patrick

3. Time and money. 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.

2. Easy Access. Washington, D.C. is easily accessible from almost everywhere with three international airports, Amtrak, and Interstate 95.

And, the Number ONE Reason to Attend SLA 2009...

1. You can't afford NOT to!

Amtrak Special - Lower Fares on Acela Express

Are you coming to the SLA 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO?  Amtrak announced lower fares on the Acela Express through June 26, 2009, when you purchase your ticket at least 14 days in advance.

This promotion can not be used in conjuction with our Convention Fare Code X48W-959. 

For more information, go to the Amtrak Web site.

INFO-EXPO Hours & Special Events Times

The open hours and special event times for the INFO-EXPO are:

Sunday, 14 June
Hours: 1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
INFO-EXPO “International” Networking Reception: 3:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Monday, 15 June
Hours: 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
INFO-EXPO “White House” Networking Lunch: 11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

Tuesday, 16 June
Hours: 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
INFO-EXPO “Washington Monument” Networking Refreshments: 3:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Wednesday, 17 June
Hours: 8:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
INFO-EXPO “Historic” Networking Refreshments: 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

For more information, contact DeVonne Parks, SLA's exhibits director, at dparks@sla.org or +1.703.647.4948.

SLA Exhibitor Education

Did you know...

SLA offers training and education for all of our exhibitors to better serve our attendees?

Exhibiting ROI-Q^TM Academy is the exhibition industry’s leading exhibitor education and training program.  The Academy trains SLA exhibitors to become “masters in event marketing."  The training is conducted by the C. W. Allen Group.

Each participant learns about successful exhibit planning.  The program includes information on matching strategy with exhibiting objectives, best practices in pre-show promotion, mastery of "boothmanship,"  essential “do’s and don’ts,” and turning leads into sales.  Exhibitors also learn how to maximize the impact of interactions with prospects. 

Make the most of your INFO-EXPO experience by visiting the Virtual INFO-EXPO before the conference!

INFO-EXPO Giveaways

The SLA 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO is fast approaching.  Do you know about the special activities we have planned in the INFO-EXPO?  In case you didn't know, the INFO-EXPO is SLA's exhibit hall, where the vendors come to showcase their latest and best products and services!   

We are offering several prize giveaways and all you have to do is show up and play.

Win a 2009 Smart Car by participating in the InterAction Passport game while visiting the exhibitors in the INFO-EXPO.

Listen for your name to be announced to win US$ 100 (3 times a day from Sunday through Wednesday). It could be your LUCKY Day!

And there's lots more...so be sure to look for the details in the final conference program!

INFO-EXPO Passes

Need a FREE pass to the INFO-EXPO?  All SLA exhibitors receive a limited number of INFO-EXPO passes to give their clients; check with your vendors prior to the conference if you would like a free pass.  Don't forget to visit the Virtual INFO-EXPO to see who will be exhibiting at SLA 2009!

Only FOUR Days Left for Early Bird Rate!

Are you planning to attend THE premier conference for Information Professionals?  Not yet registered for the SLA 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO? 

There are only FOUR days left until the early bird rate expires!  Register now and save at least US$ 180!  

The early bird rate expires 3 April 2009, so register now!

Not a member of SLA?  Become a member and save US$ 480 on full conference registration if you register by 3 April 2009.   Please allow three business days for your online membership application to be processed before registering.  For membership-related questions, please contact Vernon Hemphill at membership@sla.org or +1.703.647.4936.

For session information, check out the preliminary conference program or the online personal planner.

For more information contact Kristin Foldvik, director of events, at events@sla.org. 

Airport Shuttle Service

Need shuttle service from the airport for SLA 2009?  SLA has negotiated a discount for Super Shuttle service to and from the D.C.-area airports.  Discounted service is available from 10 June through 25 June.  Be sure to take advantage of this great deal!  Click here for more information and the link to the Super Shuttle Web site with the discount code.