Error during command authentication.

Greetings all ARLIS/NA members,

Although our upcoming conference in Mexico City (barely over two months from now) is foremost on our minds, we ask you to turn your attention briefly to our 2024 conference. 

For our 2024 conference, we will be testing a new conference planning model, one which we hope will engage our members. The reason for this new model is that many chapters don’t have the capacity to host a conference using our current model. In addition, this plan offers significant professional development opportunities to all members, and opens up other possibilities for conference sites enhancing the ability of the society to plan strategically.

In the new model, the host chapter will manage the planning that requires local knowledge and on-the-ground presence.  For instance, the local arrangements co-chairs, the local guide editor, tours coordinator, and local development officer will come from the host chapter.  The publicity coordinator, volunteer coordinator, and exhibit hall coordinator positions, while not required to be local, may be filled by members of the host chapter. This group will form the Local Arrangements Committee.  

Many planning activities related to the program and some under the umbrella of local arrangements, as noted above, can be performed without local connections.  To fill these, we are reaching out to the entire membership to solicit volunteers. 

Here is a brief description of the positions that fill the Program and the Local Arrangements Committees.  For a more complete and detailed explanation of duties and responsibilities, we refer you to the Conference Planning Manual, available on the ARLIS/NA website in the Members Only Access section of Administrative Documents. 

• Program Co-chairs (two positions)

Oversee all aspects of the conference program and work closely with local arrangements co-chairs, executive board members who serve on the Conference Planning Advisory Committee (CPAC), as well as the management company’s meeting planning team. Oversee all members of the Program Committee. Build out and maintain SCHED, maintain contact lists, write CFPs, and distribute grant funds as needed. There is a considerable time commitment.

• Program Committee members at-large (four positions)
  Assist program co-chairs with the peer-reviewed selection of conference sessions, workshops, and posters.

• Workshop Coordinator
  Oversee workshops and serve as primary contact for workshop presenters after program co-chairs determine acceptance.

• Poster Session Coordinator
  Oversee poster sessions and serve as primary contact for poster proposals after program co-chairs determine acceptance.

• Conference Materials Editor
  Obtain signed publication agreements and public appearance consent forms, gather materials, and make them available after the conference via the ARLIS/NA Kaltura channel.

• Publicity Coordinator

Create, update, and share information on the conference website and social media.

• Volunteer Coordinator

Open and manage the Hospitality Desk during the conference and coordinate volunteers assisting with the conference.

• Exhibit Hall Coordinator

Liaise with exhibitors and coordinate with the meeting planner to ensure a successful event for our exhibitors.

Together, the Program Committee and the Local Arrangements Committee, along with the local development officer and board liaisons will form the Conference Planning Advisory Committee (CPAC).

While the time commitment, particularly for the program co-chair positions, can be considerable, the professional and personal rewards are in equal measure.  The announcement of the site of the 2024 conference cannot be shared, pending hotel negotiations, but we can say the Ohio Valley Chapter is filling positions within the Local Arrangements Committee. 

We invite all interested members to fill out this form indicating your interest to participate on CPAC for the 2024 conference.  Let us know your interest in a particular position and any experience you have that will help you in that position.  If you would like to team up with an ARLIS/NA colleague, please let us know on the form.  The deadline for submitting the form is 11:59 pm ET, March 3, 2023.