#PowerUp with AASPA - 5 tips to get the most out of your time in Anaheim
I can hardly believe we’re so close to Conference. I wanted to share some valuable tips and tricks to make sure you get the absolute most out of your Conference experience. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first time attendee, these strategies will help you #PowerUp in Anaheim.
Sessions
With over 100 breakouts, pre-conferences and keynotes, it can be overwhelming to choose which sessions will best serve you. Take a minute before you join us to explore all of our sessions and highlight a few that you want to attend. You can use our mobile app to explore all of the sessions and build your schedule for the week. Every session at conference is aligned with the Human Capital Leaders in Education (HCLE) Standards and is eligible for recertification credits from SHRM, HRCI and pHCLE. Our speakers are truly experts in their field, and you’re sure to leave Conference full of ideas and strategies to implement in your district. Don’t worry if you miss a session you wanted to attend - all of the materials from our clinic sessions will be available in our mobile app.
Networking
One of the highlights of every AASPA conference is the networking opportunities. With five evening events and plenty of built-in networking opportunities during the day, AASPA wants to make sure you have time to form lasting connections that will serve you both personally and professionally after you leave Anaheim. Time and time again, we hear from attendees that one of the biggest benefits of attending Annual Conference is the friendships and connections they have formed at the event. All of our members are truly amazing, and you will have no trouble finding attendees who share your excitement and passion. Make it a goal to leave Conference with at least one new connection. Don’t forget to bring plenty of business cards!
*Evening event tickets are included in all of our package registrations.
Exhibit Hall
AASPA’s Exhibit Hall is full of innovative tools and tech to help your district run more smoothly and give you more time to do the parts of your job you love. I might be biased, but I think our exhibitors are some of the best in the biz and are eager to help. AASPA knows how valuable your time in the exhibit hall is, so our schedule leaves plenty of time for you to visit with over 60 exhibiting companies in two rooms. You also won’t want to miss the Exhibit Hall Reception, where you can win some amazing prizes.
Utilize Technology
One of my biggest conference tips would be to make sure you utilize the conference app. That’s where you’ll find a full list of session descriptions, speaker contact info and session handouts. The app also has maps of the venue and our menus for each day. Use the “My Schedule” function to build your schedule ahead of time and make sure you don’t miss any sessions you’re looking forward to. You can even add other attendees as friends, share schedules and request appointments.
Also, you’ll want to make sure you’re ready to connect on social media. You can check out our social media toolkit to find some sample posts and graphics that will let people know you’re headed to Anaheim. Connect with other attendees (and AASPA!) by including #PowerUp on your posts.
Weather
While the weather in Anaheim in October is pretty warm, it can get chilly in the conference space. Make sure you bring a sweater or jacket with you just in case. While it might not seem like it, you can cover a lot of miles heading between sessions and exploring the exhibit hall, so you definitely want to consider comfortable shoes. Many of our evening events will be outside, so check the weather before you pack.
Our Annual Conference is truly a one of a kind experience and I’m so excited to see all of you in just a few weeks. Our sessions and speakers are incredible, but the connections you make and impact you create are just as important. The community this conference fosters is a very powerful one and I’m always amazed to see the passion you all bring to this event. Make sure you say hi to the AASPA staff!
Get ready to #PowerUp!