10 Things to Do Before You Get to the ALA Conference:

Plan:

1. If you want to minimize costs by sharing a room with someone, post your request on the YALSA-L discussion list, or ask coworkers.

2. Find a coworker, classmate or friend who is also going to the conference and plan to meet up for a meal, to tour the exhibit hall and/or go to receptions. Milling around a gargantuan convention center with 20,000 strangers can be daunting, but having a friend or even acquaintance to join you in attending specific activities makes things less stressful.

3. Do some pre-planning to identify what programs and events you’d like to attend at the conference. You’ll find information in:
a. The official conference site
b. On the YALSA Conference Page

c. From ALA’s Conference Wiki

4. Plan things to do while you’re in New Orleans

5. There isn’t a bus or commuter train available from the airport to downtown (it was this way before the hurricane), so arrange to share a cab with someone, or reserve a seat in advance on one of the airport shuttles. Shuttle information is available here: www.flymsy.com/. ALA offers a discount with Airport Express. It is only a $2 savings, but you can make your reservations online.

6. Purchase tickets for the Printz Program & Reception, Edwards Luncheon and/or Reading With Your Ears Preconference. To purchase tickets, contact Nichole Gilbert at ngilbert@ala.org or 1.800.545.2433 x4387. Only tickets for the Printz event will be available on site (& they’ll be $6 extra).

Pack:
7. Very comfortable shoes. Really.

8. An extra bag, or plan to ship items that you purchase or get for free from the exhibit hall.

9. A sweater. It will definitely be hot and muggy in New Orleans, but almost everything is air conditioned, and the convention center especially can be chilly.

10. Lots of business cards to give to colleagues you meet, potential employers and/or to exhibitors for a chance to win prizes.

If you have any questions about YALSA at the Annual Conference, please don’t hesitate to contact the YALSA Office at yalsa@ala.org or 1.800.545.2433 x4390. If you have general registration questions, please contact 1.800.545.2433 and press 5. Advance registration is now closed, but on site registration is available.

We’re looking forward to seeing you in New Orleans!

-Posted by Beth Yoke