Convention Tips
 

Because it looks like there are many first time convention attendees on Greek Chat, I thought I would start a thread where "old timers" can post helpful tips. I know the first time I attended it seems like I missed some things that I didn't know to look for and I don't think I did a great job bringing back things to my chapter because I wasn't prepared for the information overload that occurs. Anyone else want to share?

1 - Make sure and bring a note pad and pen (or a very good memory) to the Ritual Education session that is immediately prior to the initiation ceremony - this is exactly the type of meeting we should all be having immediately following initiations at our chapters. It would also be great refresher information for an Alumnae Association meeting.

2 - Bring a tape recorder - its a great time to record all of those Alpha Xi Delta songs that your chapter doesn't sing because they don't know them. And if you are a singer, email our National Music Chair to volunteer to be part of the convention chorus. You don't have to come knowing the words - Michele is great and will get you up to speed.

3 - Make sure and attend the orientation session on Wednesday - there will be a lot of information shared.

4 - If more than one person is going from your chapter, make sure and separate for the breakout sessions. This way you will be able to cover a lot more ground. So many great ideas are shared during these sessions.

AZ-Alpha Xi, do you want to share any information about Rose Banquet seating - that's always a little confusing for first time attendees.

Rose Banquet seating ......

ok let's see if I can explain this

at the hospitality table/desk/room (which I am chairperson of BTW :-) ) there will be a chart of the tables for the rose banquet. Some time during convention, after you have registered, get together a table of people you want to sit with and have one person collect their rose banquet meal "tickets". Present the set of tickets to the hospitality desk and they will let you pick your table from the chart. That will then be your assigned seating for the Rose Banquet.

If you aren't able to fill a table .. you need to come in anyway and pickout a seat, there are always tables aren't full.

if you have any questions ... I'll be glad to answer them..

Tresa -- you and Stephanie and Mike and me will all have to sit together.

AZ-AlphaXi, how many people can fit at a table? It would be neat to get all the NC ladies together at a table. :)

other tips ....

1) with the exception of the opening welcome banquet and the closing rose banquet there is not assigned seating at meals. look to sit at a table with someone you don't know. this is a great time to meet new sisters...and you never know .. you might be sitting with a past national president or a current national officer or just a sister from across the country that will be a great connection for you next year or 20 years from now.

2) echo the "if there are several of you from your chapter split up for the breakout sessions". There are always wonderful information given and great contacts to be made at these sessions.

3) bring a sweater to the meetings. I know that Tucson will be hot (probably 102- 105) during the end of June. But "THEY" keep the hotel meeting rooms COLD!!! if you are weaing a sun dress or even just a regular short sleeve blouse you will freeze.

4) be sure to bring sun screen, if you are going to be doing any of the outdoor activites or plan on visiting the pool, and WEAR IT!! The sun is very bright and you'll burn before you know it .. the last thing you want to wear at convention is a sun burn.

5) when you register, you'll get a convention program with a listing of the breakout sessions. Try to look over all the sessions and map which ones you want to attend. Many programs will have repeated sessions so if there is a conflict between two programs you want to attend, check later in the schedule and see if one is offered again at another time.

6) bring comfortable shoes. the resort is very large and you will probably be doing alot of walking from your room to the meeting rooms to the banquet rooms back to the meeting rooms between meeting rooms ... you get the picture ... and if you have new shoes, you probably want to break them in before you come.

7) bring some extra spending money ... there are always great vendors with neat stuff you've never seen and will wish you'd bought when you get home ..

8) be sure to remember to bring your school supplies. The Tucson alumnae have identified two schools in Tucson which really need the supplies for their students and which are very excited about receiving

9) if you aren't the delegate, consider signing up for the choose children philanthropy program ( space is limited - so I'm not sure if its full or not)... the participants will be visiting 1 of 3 pre-schools where one of the programs that the Tucson Alumnae support (Make-way for Books) provides books for pre-schoolers. You'll be reading a book to a pre-schooler and then give them the book to keep.

10) Remember that seating for business meetings is by delegate. At the last convention, collegiates were on one side of the aisle in chapter order and the alumnae were on the other side in (I think ) alpha order of city within state (hmmm don't remember now). don't know if that's the way it will be this year, but if you're the delegete you'll need to find your assigned seat and if you aren't the delegete remember you'll need to find a seat behind the delegate's section (yeah its a bummer when you're as short as I am to be in the back)

Tables for the rose banquet will be for 10.

:( Wishing I was still a NC girl :(


But I am currently wearing my new UNC National Basketball Champions T-shirt that my mother brought me to the hospital last week! And, I will always be a NC girl!!!!

Don't you already have a designated table? I've never been, so I don't know, but I assumed you all would be together.

It's so neat that three of you were initiated in NC chapters. :)

I do already have an assigned seat that I am honored to have........... but sitting with all the North Carolina girls would certainly be more fun........ where I am sitting people will expect me to behave :eek: (and you know how hard that is for us North Carolina girls)! :D

But I guess you are right, my table is almost 1/2 NC girls anyway.... aren't NC girls cool! :cool:

For fear of hijacking such a useful thread, I need to let AlphaXiGirl know that her PM box is full. :(

sorry to crash, but where is your Convention this year?

(I'm going to AOII's in Atlanta June 29-July 3, 2005 :)

My best friend's mother and grandmother are Alpha Xi Delta's!

I'm sorry about that... should be all clear now!

Okay, back to tips....

Wear a watch and be on time! I know that we all tend to pride ourselves on "Alpha Xi Delta Time".... at convention that doesn't usually exist - our staff does an amazing job at scheduling these events. If you can believe it... many times we actually run early and end up adjusting the schedule because we are ahead!

If you are late for a chapter meeting, it's not good. If you miss a chapter meeting it is even worse.

It's in Tucson at the Westin La Paloma. I'm very excited -- this will be my first!

BTW ... on the subject of time ...

remember that Arizona does NOT observe daylight savings time. We stay on Mountain Standard time all year, so during the summer, we are on the same time as the west coast.

another little tip ....

when you check in at the registration table you'll get a packet. In the packet you'll have a ticket for each meal.

I've found that the best place to keep them is in the plastic name tag holder behind your name tag. that way the tickets are with you all the time and you aren't rummaging around trying to find them when its time for a meal.

you might also consider bringing a book bag with you to carry all the convention materials around in...

Here's another that I learn at the 1999 Convention...if you are flying in from the East Coast, try to get a nap BEFORE the first event on Wednesday....otherwise the morning comes very very early and you are groggy!

Also drink lots of water. I think (can someone confirm) that Arizona has dry heat which will dehydrate you if you aren't careful.