Embrace Change with IBEA! The 46th Annual 2008 IBEA Fall Conference will be held in Effingham, Illinois, November 12, 13, and 14, at the Keller Convention Center and Hilton Garden Inn. Many special events are planned to enable you to learn the latest in business education as well as network with colleagues. Wednesday evening begins with a Wine Tasting Party and Welcoming Reception. Thursday evening includes a Margaritaville Dinner as part of your registration, followed by a Jimmy Buffet Night with J. Christopher. Bring your favorite Caribbean attire, and get your dancin’ shoes ready!
In addition to over 55 concurrent sessions, 15 hands-on computer (HOCS) workshops will be offered (bring a flash drive with you so you can take your files with you). Remember that you must pre-register for the hands-on computer workshops on your registration form (first come, first serve). However, we have doubled the number of HOCS workshops this year in an attempt to serve more members.
Want to learn to Podcast? Or what about digital photography? How about teaching with your iPod and iTunes? Or is computer game design your thing? In addition, there will be sessions on Google, Vista, Windows Movie Maker, Web 2.0, Dreamweaver, Facebook, Second Life, and Office 2007. These are just a few of the topics that will be covered at the conference. Two tours of local businesses are also being offered with free bus transportation provided (pre-registration required). And, of course, our publishers will be displaying the latest textbook and support materials.
College Receptions and bowling as well as IBEA Affiliate Meetings are scheduled for Thursday evening.
We will also use our fall conference to celebrate, praise, and honor members of our profession with various scholarships and awards. IBEA could not exist without the many hours of volunteer work our members devote. You will again have the opportunity to earn CPDUs by attending sessions. Check out the listing of sessions in this newsletter.
Margaret Erthal & Dona Walzer will again offer Keyboarding Methods for Elementary, Middle School, and High School Teachers Wednesday from noon to 4. This session requires a separate registration and fee.
Wednesday evening Pre-Conference sessions. Two hands-on computer workshops (HOCS) will be offered: Basic Web Building with Dreamweaver and Learn to Podcast.
The computer labs will be set up in the Kennedy and Reagan rooms in the Hilton for the HOCS sessions. Each room features 24 laptops with one person to a computer. The Demonstration-only computer sessions (DOCS) will be held in the Convention Center. Wireless Internet is available throughout the hotel and convention center.
Early-Bird sessions available. Early sessions will be offered on both Thursday (7:15 – 8:15 a.m.) and Friday (7:30 – 8:30 a.m.).
Continental Breakfast will be served each morning in the Exhibit Hall of the Convention Center.
Grand Opening of Exhibits: From 8:15 – 8:45 on Thursday morning, no sessions are scheduled so that you may visit the Grand Opening of the Exhibit Area. Exhibits will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Thursday and 7:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. on Friday.
Silent Auction and Raffle items will be displayed in the Exhibit area on Thursday and Friday. Do some early holiday shopping! Put your bid in on some silent auction items or buy some raffle tickets and take your chances.
Opening Session. Keynote speaker Malcolm Kushner will present Leading with Laughter: How U.S. Presidents Use Humor to Relate, Motivate, and Communicate—And How You Can, Too! Mr. Kushner is an internationally acclaimed expert on humor and communication. Since 1982, he has trained thousands of managers, executives, and professionals how to gain a competitive edge with humor. His clients include IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Motorola, Digital Equipment Corporation, AT&T, SONY, Aetna, CIGNA Healthcare of California, and Baxter International. Regardless of your political affiliation, you’ll be entertained as Mr. Kushner provides examples of U.S. Presidents who have used humor as a competitive advantage.
Our Distinguished Service Award winner, Post-Secondary Teacher, Collegiate Teacher, Secondary Teacher, and Supervisor/Administrator of the Year Award winners, Friends of IBEA Award winner, and New Professional Award winner will be announced at the Opening Session on Thursday.
Our conference closes on Friday with Brunch and awarding of Student Scholarships from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
We are sure you will agree that another outstanding IBEA Conference has been planned for you.
