The document provides tips and information for attendees of the DSAIA conference, including planning ahead, making the most of sessions and networking opportunities, and following up after the conference. Attendees are encouraged to strategize with groups, choose diverse sessions, use the conference app and online tools, participate in the exhibits and evening events, and justify their attendance to organizations.

1. Getting the Most Out of
the DSAIA Conference
What You Really Should Know!
LOGO
www.wondershare.com

2. Before You Arrive
 Planning ahead to make the most of your trip
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Plan your schedule online!
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Attending with a group?
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http://dsaia2014conference.sched.org/
Strategize together – don’t wait until you arrive!
Avoid attending sessions together
Leaders’ Circles Choices
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6 different options
Split up, choosing the best fit for each attendee

3. Online Scheduling
 Make it work for you!
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Review the schedule & create yours online
Speakers – research & connect
Exhibitors & Sponsors – learn more about them
Find others in your position and begin introductions
using social media
Download, print, share your schedule.
Try out the mobile app to take your schedule with
you each day!
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6. Affiliates in Excellence
 Recognition Awards Program for DSAIA
members
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Opportunity to showcase great accomplishments
Array of categories including: Print, Events,
Advertising, Brochures, T-shirts etc.
Make plans to attend on Sunday morning at 8 am!
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7. What To Pack
 Business casual
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Comfy shoes
Business cards
Envelope or folder for receipts
Laptops & tablets welcome (free Wi-Fi in your hotel
room!)
Costumes for Affiliates Got Talent

8. Before You Arrive
 Getting there
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Airport location (Reagan Nat’l)
Driving
Metro (free shuttle to hotel!)
 From the airport
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Free hotel Shuttle
Taxi
Rental car
 Parking
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$24/day
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9. When You Arrive
 Registration
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Thursday, Feb 27th from 3 – 6 pm
Conference Bags
Name badges
 Your Session Information
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Download files from our online schedule
 Explore the hotel & its amenities
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http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/waspyrenaissance-arlington-capital-view-hotel/

10. When You Arrive
 Opening Reception
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Thursday, February 27th from 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Co-sponsored by NDSS
Heavy hors d’oeuvres
Registrants receive one free drink ticket
 Great networking opportunities
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Meet new affiliates
Rekindle old friendships
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11. When You Arrive
 Food for Thought
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Breakfast, lunch & snacks (we got you covered)
Special dietary needs
 Evening Options
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Dine Around (pick your restaurants using the online
schedule!)
Great restaurants within a quick shuttle or taxi ride!
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12. When You Arrive
 Tips Before You Start
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In a group? Plan to split up to maximize networking
time
Plan to gather once a day to share with each other
what you’ve learned
Sit with your group during the Town Hall meeting!
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13. Visit the Expo!
 Where?
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2nd Floor Foyer
 Dates/Hours
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Friday/Saturday 8-5
Sunday 8-12
 Passports
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Validate
Turn in
Win!

14. Friday, February 28th
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Opening Plenary
Leaders’ Circles
Breakouts Begin!
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Room hosts are there for you
Surveys are important!
Town Hall
(afternoon general session)
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15. Saturday, March 1st
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Opening Plenary
Breakouts
Affiliates Got Talent!

16. Affiliates Got Talent is Back!
 What is Affiliates Got Talent?
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Just like the show!
Different talent options – you choose!
Great prizes
Still lots of fun!!!
 Scholarship prize
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Attendees collect cards in a conference-long Poker
Run to get the best hand by Sat night!
The Best Hand will win a conference scholarship for
2015!
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17. Sunday, March 2nd
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Affiliates in Excellence
Breakouts
Overall Conference Evaluations
Turning in Lanyards/Name badges
Grab n Go Lunch
Going Home
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18. After the Conference
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Online conference site
Meet with your group
Inform your board
Use what you learned
Plan to come back to learn more in 2015
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Budget
Start recruiting more of your leadership to come!
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20. Unconventional Tip #1
Choose the sessions you know the least
about.
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It doesn’t make sense to go to a session
where YOU’LL be the most knowledgeable
person (next to the speaker)!
You won’t be bored….
And you won’t be disgusted with the
presenter

21. Unconventional Tip #2
Instead of just listening for good ideas…
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Listen for things you can quote in your next
grant proposal or monthly report!
Someone said something stupid? Use it.
Someone said something obvious or great?
Use it!

22. Unconventional Tip #4
Fail-proof way to meet someone:
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Get to a session early!
Sit near someone and say: “Would you
mind if I introduced myself?”

23. Unconventional Tip #5
If you’re bored or irritated by a session, walk out.
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Use your time wisely
Don’t waste an hour when you could be learning
something new & exciting & useful!
Be honest on your evaluation form!

24. Unconventional Tip #6
Put a sign on the bulletin board.
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Use available sticky notes to invite others out for
a specific type of food…
Find others you have connected with online
(others who are in charge of Prenatal Outreach or
Youth & Adults programs) by leaving them a note!
Worst case – you miss them or no one shows up –
no one will know!

25. Random Tips
 Use the conference bag wisely
 Your badge is great – for the conference!
 Sit near the back if you’re not planning on
staying
 Ask lots of questions
 Know when breakfast is…and be there!
 Get some exercise every day
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26. How To Justify Your Attendance
 You are an asset to your organization
 Offer to train others in what you learned
when you return
 Trip report
 Connect the value of the conference to your
group’s goals
 Professional development
 Split the costs
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27. After It’s Over
 Keep in touch
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Easy-to-use online community allows you to contact
attendees months after the conference has ended!
Follow up with speakers with additional questions
Secure a speaker for your organization with ease
Share legislative success stories with other groups
Keep in touch with groups within your state
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28. Your Contacts
Robbin Lyons
Conference Chair
Wisconsin Upside Down
robbin@dsaia.org
Allison Wixted
Conference Consultant
awixted@dsaia.org
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Deanna Tharpe
Executive Director
DSAIA
director@dsaia.org