During lunch yesterday, I went to the Annual Meeting Task Force Open Forum.
We discussed in small groups different facets of the meeting and what possible deal breakers there are for our attending and participating in the conference. There were many suggestions and ideas put on the table. Here are a few of my favorites:
1. Instead of meeting and staying in one hotel, have several different locations for sessions, etc. Must be within walking distance.
2. Selling program sessions on iTunes, so folks who can’t afford to come to the conference can learn from the content presented. It would also give faculty and professionals the opportunity to draw upon the conference program content beyond the time of the annual meeting.
3. There should be more transparency on the part of the program committee to explain to those who submit session proposals, why a proposal gets accepted or rejected.
4. Encourage rountable and section leaders to consider adding those rejected sessions to their meetings agenda.
5. Giving more weight to session proposals that include students or new professionals.
6. Making conference content available both during the meeting for virtual participation, as well as available after.
7. In terms of SAA’s communication through social media, becoming mo interactive and responsive to the conservations on Facebook and Twitter.
8. WIFI!
What struck me most about this forum, was the small turn-out by conference participants. There were about 25 who attended. Now, there were other lunch discussions taking place at the same time, but I hear so often people complaining about aspects of the annual meeting. Given that, I would have thought people would jump at the chance to share their thoughts and offer suggestions.