Conference Connections

Looking for Savings @ SLA!

SLA is providing food in the INFO-EXPO every day during the following times, which are called the non-conflict times:

Sunday, 13 June
3 - 5 p.m.
INFO-EXPO Mardi Gras Networking Reception
Enjoy the Taste of New Orleans!
 
Monday, 14 June
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
INFO-EXPO Jazzy Networking Lunch
Listen to cool jazz of Jay, Ray & Gee before entering the INFO-EXPO
 
Tuesday, 15 June
3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
INFO-EXPO French Quarter Networking Refreshments
Grab a late afternoon snack and enjoy the desserts from the scrolling table ladies 

See you in New Orleans!

Win an iPad @ SLA!

Join us at the Grand Opening of the INFO-EXPO on Sunday, 13 June from 11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. to hear Chief Monk Boudreaux and enter your chance to win an Apple iPad.

Submit your entry ticket in the Registration Desk area. You must be present at the Grand Opening to win!

Ask the Copyright Expert at SLA 2010

Coming to the SLA 2010 Annual Conference in New Orleans? Have a copyright or licensing question? This is your chance to obtain a free confidential consultation at Ask the Copyright Expert, hosted by Lesley Ellen Harris. Come visit the SLA Marketplace booth #1329 on Monday, 14 June, between 11:00am and 1:00pm in the INFO-EXPO.

Also consider registering for one of the full day in-person courses on copyright or other courses offered in New Orleans through Click University.  At SLA 2010, you can gain further copyright knowledge in the 12 June hands-on course on Managing Copyright Issues and in the 13 June practical course on Copyright Education (educating those around you about copyright and licensing). Both of these courses are part of the Certificate in Copyright Management program. Complete all seven courses within 24 months and you will receive your Certificate in Copyright Management. The other five courses are online courses.

Register Here.

Questions? Need more info? Contact clicku@sla.org.

SLA’s INFO-EXPO Rated One of America’s Best Trade Shows

The Special Libraries Association (SLA) INFO-EXPO was rated one of America’s highest ranking trade shows by Exhibit Surveys Inc.’s 2009 Trade Show Trends report.  The show, held in conjunction with the SLA Annual Conference , was ninth in Net Buying Influence and eleventh in Highest Traffic Density.

Net Buying Influence measures the percentage of conference and show attendees who have the power to recommend or make final purchasing decisions; Traffic Density measures the average number of attendees per square foot of exhibition space. The 2009 Trade Show Trends report demonstrates that 89 percent of SLA INFO-EXPO attendees have the authority to make purchasing decisions.  The SLA 2010 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO will be held in New Orleans June 13-16 and will feature more than 400 booths.

“The information and knowledge professionals who attend SLA’s Annual Conference and visit the exhibitors in our INFO-EXPO are some of the most influential in the world,” said Janice R. Lachance, SLA’s CEO. “It is clear that connecting face-to-face with the SLA members who attend our conference provides an outstanding value for our exhibitors, who are gaining access to thousands of decision makers and potential customers within their target market.”

Highest Net Buying Influence of the Top Trade Shows of 2009:

1.    National Association of Convenience Stores Retailer
2.    InfoComm
3.    PhotoPlus Expo
4.    National Restaurant Association
5.    EXHIBITOR2009
6.    Water Environment Federation's Technical Exhibition & Conference
7.    Kitchen/Bath Industry Show
8.    National Association of Broadcasters
9.    Special Libraries Association
10.    American Library Association
11.    Print 2009

SLA’s INFO-EXPO is the largest trade show for information professionals, special librarians and knowledge workers in North America. According to SLA’s 2008 Conference Participant Survey 51 percent of attendees are librarians or information specialists and 37 percent hold managerial positions.  Attendees represent a wide range of industries including, academic, federal government, legal, financial services, industrial/manufacturing, and business services.

“In addition to a world-class show hall and contact with decision-making attendees, INFO-EXPO exhibitors have access to networking opportunities with their peers, the latest emerging technologies in the industry, and Webinars that are designed especially for them,” said Lachance. “The sessions we are offering for exhibitors, such as The New Science of Event Marketing and The Art of Effective Boothmanship 2.0, will provide our exhibitors with techniques to improve the sales and marketing strategies used before, during and after the show, and increase the number of deals they close as a result of exhibiting with SLA.”

For more information on exhibiting at the SLA 2010 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO in New Orleans June 13-16, contact DeVonne Parks.

Tips for Making the Most of an SLA Conference

Is this your first time going to an SLA annual conference? Perhaps it has been a few years since you last attended, or you just want to get some advice on how to handle all the events, networking opportunities and exhibitor face time?

Make sure you check out the tips and FAQ sections on our Web site.

Some of the articles include:

• What to do prior to conference
• What to do when you arrive
• What to do during conference and while you are visiting the INFO-EXPO

Sara Batts and Liz Blankson-Hemans wrote a great article on talking to vendors. This piece gives great advice, especially if you typically feel that the INFO-EXPO is a little overwhelming.  

Above all else, just ask!  If you have a question, don't hesitate to send an email to us at events@sla.org.

See Who's Exhibiting in the INFO-EXPO!

Check out the list of exhibitors in the INFO-EXPO!  Make your plans and map out which companies you are going to visit ahead of time.

Visit the INFO-EXPO onsite during SLA 2010 in New Orleans to learn about new products and services in the industry so that you can enhance your own products and services for clients!

Author Book Signings

Visit the SLA Marketplace in the INFO-EXPO at SLA 2009, booth 639, for some great book signings with a variety of conference speakers that are also authors. See who will be there....

Win an Amazon Kindle 2!

Join us at the Grand Opening of the INFO-EXPO on Sunday, 14 June, at 12:30 p.m. and be the first to enter the INFO-EXPO while sipping champagne and eating cake! 

There will be two drawings for the Amazon Kindle 2.  Don't miss your chance to win at SLA 2009!

SLA's Growing List of Exhibitors!

Check out the growing list of exhibiting companies at SLA 2009!

Don't miss out! Visit the INFO-EXPO onsite during SLA 2009 to learn about new products and services in the industry so that you can enhance your own products and services for clients!

27 Things To Do Before a Conference

Chris Brogan recently wrote 27 Things to do Before a Conference.  There is still time to get them all done before the start of SLA 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO next month.  

Some of the ones to especially check out are:

• Check the online personal planner for sessions and descriptions.  Go ahead and make a schedule, don't wait to get the paper version onsite. 
• Start Conversations on Twitter, #sla2009 has 482 followers already!  Join the discussions!
• Check out the exhibitors that will be in the INFO-EXPO.  Our virtual exhibit hall has a listing of exhibitors.  Map out who you want to visit!  

There are many other tips that are useful for planning your conference experience.   We look forward to seeing you in Washington, D.C., in just a few short weeks!