ISTE 2011 > At A Glance > Newcomers

At A Glance      Tips for Newcomers

Welcome, conference newcomers! Here are a few tips and links to help get you up to speed at the conference:

Planning makes perfect

Register early for discounts
Register by the end of March or May to receive our early bird rates. We also offer large- and small-group rates, one-day rates, guest registration for the expo hall, and more.

Pad your travel schedule
Plan to arrive on Sunday for conference kickoff events (see below). Then take some extra time to enjoy the local fare! Sign up for a fun tour of Philadelphia and the area. Check out the Transportation and About Philadelphia pages for tips, maps, travel discounts, and more.

Housing in Philadelphia
Select your housing early through our conference housing reservation service. If you book later and rooms have filled, browse nonconference hotel websites (for example Hotels.com), or take a look at rental houses/lofts via Vacation Rentals by Owner. Great for small groups!

The Ning is the thing
Join the ISTE 2011 Ning for conference chatter around sessions, networking events, and everything you can imagine as folks plan their trip to the conference. Make sure to join the Newcomers group on the Ning for specific tips and advice for first-time attendees.

Join the conference Ning and check out the forums. There's always a lot of good recommendations there!

Follow us on Twitter
Search for #iste11 on Twitter and save your search. You'll be able to keep track of all the latest discussions before the conference and onsite.

Connect with other attendees via Twitter. Excellent way to get info on sessions you are unable to attend. Use the conference to make connections that last year round!

Volunteer for a special experience
Sign up when you register, or via the Volunteers link on the website. It's a fantastic way to meet new people and get a "behind the scenes" feel for the conference.

Map out your sessions
Search the online program ahead of time to maximize your learning experience at the conference. Tip: see which sessions will be recorded, and save those for later!

Plan your attack
Use our handy conference planner to keep your schedule straight. Important note: Adding a session to your planner does not secure you a seat in sessions that require pre-registration, such as BYOLs and workshops.

Just the facts
Scroll through our new conference FAQ and Glossary to find answers to your preconference questions. Check back often as these documents are works in progress!

You've arrived...now what?

Sunday is a fun day!
ISTE's favorite host, Mario Armstrong, leads our high-energy Conference Kickoff Sunday at 1 pm, followed by an afternoon of networking and hands-on activities. Finish the day with the opening keynote and reception.

Visit the Newbie Lounge
This is the place to be if it's your first trip to ISTE's annual conference and exposition! Here you'll find friendly folks who are eager to share their conference success strategies with you. Visit the Newbie Lounge website now to get started!.

Get Smart
Use our mobile app on your smartphone or iPad to access the conference schedule, maps, links to ISTE's social media networks, and more. The app will interact nicely with your conference planner, too!

Arrive early to your sessions
Regular sessions are first come, first served, so allow yourself time to get there early. Popular sessions do fill quickly. Note: BYOL sessions require pre-registration.

Plan multiple sessions at a time, so if one is full you have an immediate backup!

Plan time in the expo
Conference attendees spend an average of six hours in the exhibit halls! Make sure to allow yourself time to see what each vendor has to offer. They give great demonstrations, as well!

Pick up the official conference daily
ISTE Daily Leader, the official conference publication, has tons of helpful information, news, feature stories, and fun articles. Pick up a hard copy at Ask Me stations, ISTE Central, or in the transportation area.

Help is available
For technical difficulties onsite, the Doctor is In! Our wonderful volunteer staff is there to help you with all your digital needs. Feeling lost? Ask Me stations are located throughout the facility to get you back on track.

Learn about your ISTE membership
Nonmembers who register for ISTE 2011 receive a standard, one-year ISTE membership! Stop by ISTE Central and learn how best to use your year-round learning association.

Pack a couple of health bars in your bag--you never know when you'll end up passing up lunch because of a great conversation or session.

Join your community at ISTE 2011
If you're a member of an ISTE affiliate or special interest group (or want to join), visit the ISTE Member Events page or use the program search to see what's happening with your group throughout the conference. It's fun and informative!

New! International lounge
Network with others from around the globe in a comfortable, stress-free setting!