Innovations Conference Frequently Asked Questions

1. When and where will the Innovations 2013 conference be held?
2. What is the Innovations 2013 conference's overall theme?
3. Who attends the annual Innovations conference?
4. How much are registration fees for the Innovations 2013 conference?
5. Are group registration discounts available?
6. What is included in conference registration fees?
7. How does the Refer-a-Colleague program work?
8. I'm a presenter. Do I need to register and pay?
9. To whom should checks for conference registration fees be made out?
10. How do I get the letter of invitation my government requires in order to get an international visa?
11. How will I get my conference badge and other materials?
12. Can I bring a spouse or guest to the conference?
13. Can I attend just the exhibit hall?
14. Are evening receptions open to all conference participants?
15. How can I request special assistance?
16. Where can I find information about the conference headquarter hotel?
17. Do I have to be registered for the conference in order to book a hotel room?
18. When should I arrive in Dallas?
19. Is there shuttle service between the hotel and the airport?
20. What should I wear to conference sessions?
21. What presentation formats will be offered at the conference?
22. Where can I see a list of the sessions being offered at the Innovations 2013 conference?
23. How do I know which sessions to attend?
24. I'm a presenter at the onsite conference. What audiovisual equipment will be available in presentation rooms?
25. Who do I call to order computer or audiovisual equipment?
26. Does the League for Innovation record sessions?
27. Will there be an email lab or wireless internet access available at the conference?
28. I'm bringing my own computer to the conference. Is there anything I need to do to be able to use it?
29. Where can presenters mail their handouts or other items needed for the conference?
30. Who should I contact about exhibiting at the Innovations 2013 conference?
31. Where can I view the exhibition hall floor plan?
32. Can my company hold a meeting during the conference?
33. Where will lost and found be located?
34. Will meals be provided?
35. I want to meet with some of the people participating in the Innovations conference. Can the League arrange those meetings for me?
36. Where will future Innovations conferences be held?
37. Where can I get additional information about the Innovations 2013 conference if I still have questions?

1. When and where will the Innovations 2013 conference be held?
The Innovations 2013 conference will be held March 10-13 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas.

2. What is the Innovations 2013 conference's overall theme?
Innovations 2013 is the premier event for professionals dedicated to improving organizational teaching and learning, and discovering new approaches for enhancing the community college experience. The conference provides a tremendous forum for collaboration among academic experts and leading community college professionals, while granting participants exclusive access to the most inventive and thought-provoking programs from around the world.
The conference provides opportunities for colleagues to showcase their model programs, share lessons learned, and look to the future by experiencing a wide array of new ideas through the Conference Streams.
In addition, representatives from more than 100 companies will fill the exhibition hall to showcase their software, hardware, programs, and services.

3. Who attends the annual Innovations conference?
The 2011 Innovations conference attendee profile can be found at http://www.league.org/i2013/profile.cfm.

4. How much are registration fees for the Innovations 2013 conference?
Registration information can be found at www.league.org/i2012/reg. Board Member and Alliance Member Colleges save significantly on registration fees. Another way to save is to register during the early registration period (on or before February 7).

5. Are group registration discounts available?
Group registration discounts are available and provide an opportunity to significantly save on registration fees. Visit the conference registration web page, or contact Judy Greenfield at greenfield@league.org or 480.705.8200 x200 for information.

6. What is included in conference registration fees?
Conference fees provide admission to both General Sessions, as well as all Special Sessions, Forum Sessions, Roundtable Discussions, Poster Sessions, the Exhibition Hall, Refreshment and Coffee Breaks, Brunch, Receptions, and the 24-Hour Email and Internet Stations.

7. How does the Refer-a-Colleague program work?
Every Innovations 2013 conference participant who refers a colleague who registers for the Innovations 2013 conference will be entered in a drawing to win an Apple iPad2. The more colleagues you refer who register, the better your chances of winning! Everyone who registers as a result of being referred by an Innovations 2013 conference participant will be entered in a drawing to win an Apple iPod Touch! Terms and Conditions apply.

8. I'm a presenter. Do I need to register and pay?
Yes, all presenters are required to register by the Early Bird deadline (February 7) and pay the appropriate registration fees.

9. To whom should checks for conference registration fees be made out?
Checks or purchase orders should be payable to the League for Innovation.

10. How do I get the letter of invitation my government requires in order to get an international visa?
The League for Innovation does not provide letters of invitation.

11. How will I get my conference badge and other materials?
Exhibitors, presenters, and conference participants can pick up their badge and other conference materials at the registration desk. A conference registration badge is required for admission to all conference events. Please wear your badge at all times.

12. Can I bring a spouse or guest to the conference?
The League for Innovation will provide a guest pass for conference participants whose guest wishes to visit the Exhibit Hall. However, in order to attend conference sessions, guests and spouses must register for the full conference or for the day rate. Contact Judy Greenfield at greenfield@league.org or 480.705.8200 x233 for additional information.

13. Can I attend just the exhibit hall?
League for Innovation Corporate Partners can invite their customers to attend the exhibition free of charge. These passes are to be used only for customers and only allow access to the exhibit hall. Contact Christopher Hennessey at 480.705.8200, x237 or at hennessey@league.org to obtain free customer passes to the exhibition hall.
The League for Innovation also offers a guest pass for guests of registered conference participants who wish to visit the exhibit hall. Holders of guest passes are only allowed in the exhibition hall and may not attend any sessions.

14. Are evening receptions open to all conference participants?
Admission to the conference receptions, and coffee and refreshment breaks in the exhibition hall are open to all conference participants. Participation in receptions and meetings hosted by League for Innovation Corporate Partners and Friends of the League is at the discretion of the host organization. While some Corporate Partners and Friends of the League have an open-door policy, some prefer to limit participation to invited guests.

15. How can I request special assistance?
If you require special assistance, auxiliary aids, interpreters, or other reasonable accommodations, please contact Robin Piccirilli at piccirilli@league.org.

16. Where can I find information about the conference headquarter hotel?
Information about the Hilton Anatole can be found at www.league.org/i2013/travel.

17. Do I have to be registered for the conference in order to book a hotel room?
No. In fact, we strongly recommend booking your hotel room as early as possible. Mention the Innovations conference when making your reservation to secure a room in the conference block. The “cut-off date” for accepting discount rate reservations is February 15. Reservation requests received after 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date will be based on availability and at the hotels’ prevailing rates.

18. When should I arrive in Dallas?
Conference participants are reminded that although the Opening General Session is scheduled for Sunday evening, a full program of Special Sessions, Forum Sessions, Roundtable Discussions, and Poster Sessions is available starting at 8:30 a.m. Sunday morning. Please make your travel plans accordingly!

19. Is there shuttle service between the hotel and the airport?
TBD

20. What should I wear to conference sessions?
Business casual attire is appropriate for all sessions and events. As meeting room temperatures will vary, we suggest dressing in layers to be sure you'll be comfortable. Also, wear shoes that are good for walking. Check the weather before you pack so you know what climate to expect.

21. What presentation formats will be offered at the conference?
General Sessions provide an opportunity to learn from national experts who discuss topics of interest to all conference participants while setting the context and underlying tone for the conference.
Special Session presenters are hand-selected, dynamic, and knowledgeable individuals who provide more detailed perspectives about practical and innovative solutions to today's community college challenges and opportunities.
Forum Sessions are traditional presentations that form the core of conference offerings. Presenters are expected to use active learning techniques to engage their audience, distribute materials, and respond to follow-up requests for more information.
Roundtable Discussions afford a personal and interactive setting for exploring key issues related to each of the conference streams. Numerous Roundtable Discussions take place simultaneously in the same ballroom.
Poster Sessions take the form of an exhibit and are delivered primarily through the use of graphs, diagrams, pictures, data, and narrative text on bulletin boards. Conference participants are free to move from one display to another at their own pace.
The Exhibition Hall is an extensive display of publishing, furniture, hardware, software, communications, and other educational products and services of interest to conference participants.
Refreshment breaks, coffee breaks, the brunch, and receptions provide an opportunity to enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks as you browse the Exhibition Hall. Mingle with colleagues and meet with experts to research and gather information about solutions to today's campus challenges.

22. Where can I see a list of the sessions being offered at the Innovations 2013 conference?
A tentative list of the sessions being offered at the Innovations 2013 conference will be online at http://www.league.org/i2013/program.cfm prior to the conference. A final list of conference sessions can be found in the Conference Program. In addition, the Itinerary Builder has all the session dates, times, and locations to create your own itinerary for the conference before arriving onsite. Once created, you can print the itinerary in several formats or save it for later retrieval.

23. How do I know which sessions to attend?
We highly recommend you peruse the session titles and descriptions found in the Conference Program and decide which sessions you want to attend before you arrive in Dallas. We expect to have the preliminary Conference Program posted in January and the final Conference Program in February. If there are multiple people from your organization attending the conference, you may want to coordinate with them to allow the best coverage of sessions. Conference participants will also have the opportunity to build their conference schedule using the Itinerary Builder.

24. I am a presenter at the onsite conference. What audiovisual equipment will be available in presentation rooms?
Special Sessions and Forum Sessions will be equipped with high-speed internet access, a video data projector compatible with Windows and Mac platforms, microphone, speakers, and a screen. Presenters must bring their own portable computer if one is needed for their presentation. The AV/Technical Support Team cannot provide specialized cabling, drivers, software, connectors, or other supplies.
Please note that neither electricity nor an internet connection will be available for Poster Sessions or Roundtable Discussions. Poster Sessions and Roundtable Discussions cannot accommodate equipment other than a presenter-provided battery-operated laptop computer. Flipcharts for Roundtable Discussions will be available if requested prior to the conference.

25. Who do I call to order computer or audiovisual equipment?
Contact AV Images by emailing wtrombino@avimages.com or calling  800.801.1500 x7406. Presenters will be responsible for expenses associated with additional equipment.

26. Does the League for Innovation record sessions?
General Sessions and Special Sessions are recorded for future delivery on the League for Innovation's iStream website, our online subscription service that streams engaging video, radio, print, and other interactive resources. For additional information regarding iStream, contact Cheri Jessup at Jessup@league.org.
Forum Sessions will be posted on the League for Innovation's website after the conference for presenters who provide their files, which is entirely optional. Presenters who want their files posted online should provide them to the Speaker Support/Professional Development Office upon arriving onsite. Files will not be edited or changed and will be posted exactly as they are received.

27. Will there be an email lab or wireless internet access available at the conference?
24-hour email and internet stations will be available for use by conference participants from 1:00 p.m. Saturday to 12:00 p.m. Wednesday.
Conference participants with wireless network cards in their laptop computers or personal digital assistants will be able to access the internet by using a wireless network. Please discuss how to configure your wireless connection with your college’s IT staff before you leave for the conference. The network name is “Innovations.” If you have questions about or have problems with your wireless connection, contact a Technical/AV Support Team Member for assistance.

28. I am bringing my own computer to the conference. Is there anything I need to do to be able to use it?
Before arriving, make sure your virus detection software is updated and your computer has the latest software patches installed. Presenters are encouraged to bring their laptop to the AV/SS/Tech office so it can be checked for viruses and needed software patches.

29. Where can presenters mail my handouts or other items needed for the conference?
Handouts or other items can be shipped to your attention to the hotel using the following format:
Attn: Your Name
Arrival Date
Hilton Anatole
2201 North Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, TX 75207

30. Who should I contact about exhibiting at the Innovations 2013 conference?
Exhibition space is a benefit reserved for League Corporate Partners and Member Colleges. Contact Chris Hennessey at hennessey@league.org or 480.705.8200 x237 for details about exhibiting, sponsorships, and advertising opportunities.

31. Where can I view the exhibition hall floor plan?
The exhibition hall floor plan will be made available on the Innovations conference website starting in October 2012.

32. Can my company hold a meeting during the conference?
There is no cost for ancillary meeting space for League Corporate Partners. The cost of food and beverages are the Corporate Partner's responsibility. Ancillary meeting space is limited and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Corporate partners can reserve ancillary meeting space at the conference by contacting Robin Piccirilli at piccirilli@league.org or 480.705.8200 x232.

33. Where will lost and found be located?
During the conference, all lost items turned in are held at the conference registration desk. Following the conference, all turned in items will be left with the Hilton Anatole’s loss prevention department. Please contact Judy Greenfield at the League registration desk while at the conference.

34. Will meals be provided?
All meals are on your own. Numerous diverse dining options are available at the Hilton Anatole. Your conference registration fee includes coffee and refreshment breaks on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday; as well as receptions on Sunday and Monday evening; and a brunch on Tuesday morning.

35. I want to meet with some of the people participating in the Innovations conference. Can the League arrange those meetings for me?
The League for Innovation does not make meeting arrangements, but we do provide a Registration Lookup so you can search for conference participants by last name or organization. You can also arrange meetings with conference participants by contacting them directly or by leaving a note on the message board located near the conference registration area.

36. When and where will future Innovations conferences be held?
The Innovations conference is held in a different U.S. city each year. The Innovations 2014 conference is scheduled for March 2-5 at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, California.

37. Where can I get additional information about the Innovations 2013 conference if I still have questions?
Contact Robin Piccirilli at piccirilli@league.org if you have questions about the Innovations 2013 conference prior to the event. During the conference, the conference registration desk is the place to get information, leave or receive messages, and make special arrangements. The conference registration desk is open as follows: