Connections Conference 2016 Rigorous Academic Career and Technical Education Conference Informa on March 8 & 9, 2016 Pheasant Run Resort St. Charles, Illinois Technical Assistance for Rigorous Academic and Career Technical Educa on Project Illinois State University, Campus Box 1600, Normal IL 61790 1600, Phone: 309 438 5185, Fax: 309 438 3211 Visit us on the web at www.connec onsproject.illinoisstate.edu. Conference sponsors: Illinois State Board of Educa on & Illinois State University. Connections Conference 2016
Monday - March 7, 2016 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Early Presenter & Attendee Registration Tuesday - March 8, 2016 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Noon - 1:00 p.m. 1:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m 5:45 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Wednesday - March 9, 2016 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. - Noon 12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Registration & Continental Breakfast in the Megacenter Lobby Opening Keynote Al Duncan in the Megacenter Breakout Sessions Luncheon in the Megacenter Breakout Sessions Including the 2-hour deep dive sessions Networking Social with hors d'oeuvres and DJ Registration & Continental Breakfast Breakout Sessions Including the 2-hour deep dive sessions Closing Keynote Presentation, door prizes, and lunch in the Megacenter Session Info: A hard-copy program guide and any addenda pages will be provided at the conference. Prior to the conference, you can preview the session topics and descriptions by following the conference link at www.connectionsproject.illinoisstate.edu. Any last minute changes that we are aware of will be posted outside the session rooms. There may be a time when a presenter must cancel at the last minute and we are not aware of it. If that occurs and a presenter is not present in the room 10 minutes after the start time, please find an alternate session. Early Conference Check-In: is offered on Monday, March 7, 2016, from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., for presenters and attendees. Onsite conference registration will be offered for attendees paying by either credit card, check, or cash for regular registration prices. Lodging: If you haven't made your reservations yet, we recommend that you do so soon. The room block does fill quickly. When making reservations, mention that you are attending the 2016 Connections Conference. Call: Pheasant Run Resort at 800-474-3272. Climate: Although every attempt is made to ensure comfortable temperatures in the meeting rooms, we recommend that participants layer their clothing. Conference attire is business casual. Professional Development Hours (PDHs): Registered conference attendees can earn up to 7 PDHs throughout the conference. You will earn 1 PDH for every 1 hour breakout session you attend. Deep dive session attendees will receive 2 PDHs. In every session you attend you will need to pick up a label from the presenter to apply to your PDH form that will be provided onsite in your conference materials. This is your proof that you have attended the sessions. The instructions on the form provide directions regarding where to mail the completed PDH and evaluation form. This year completed PDH forms need to be postmarked NO LATER THAN March 18, 2016 due to new regulations and time constraints. BYOD: Bring your own device. To take full advantage of some technology-focused sessions, you are encouraged to bring your own smart phone or tablet to sessions marked BYOD.
Special Needs: If you have special needs but did not note this information on the registration form, you will need to contact Conference Services at Illinois State University and place a request at 800-877-1478. Reasonable accommodations include but are not limited to the following: Sign language interpreter Assistance because of visual impairments Wheelchair accessibility These special needs (as listed above) cannot be accommodated with on-site registration, and must be requested no later than March 1, 2016 by calling Conference Services at 800-877-1478. Refund/Cancellation Policy: Cancellations made in writing at least 10 days prior to the conference will be refunded, less a $15 processing fee. However, no refunds will be made for cancellations received within 10 days of the conference. No Substitutions: Attendee substitutions are not allowed at the conference: Only the individual named on the conference name badge will be allowed to attend the conference. Special Meals: Your onsite conference materials will include a name badge with luncheon tickets for your specialized meal (per your previous registration request). During the luncheon, please let your server know that you require a vegetarian or gluten free meal, and give them the appropriate ticket. If you did not request a special meal on your registration form and would like to, please contact Conference Services at 800-877-1478 or 309-438-2160. These special meals cannot be accommodated with onsite registration, and must be requested no later than March 1, 2016. Email Contact: To ensure that you receive all communications from the conference, please add connectionsconference@illinoisstate.edu to your Safe Sender list in your email program. Door Prizes: Door Prize Drawings will be held twice throughout the conference. The first drawing will be during the Tuesday Evening Networking Social. The second drawing will be on Wednesday after the closing speaker. HERE S HOW TO BE IN THE DRAWING: Bring your dated door-prize ticket that was provided in your conference bag! Fill in your name and drop in one of the door prize ticket boxes. If your name is called - you win! You must be in attendance to win. This year's grand prize is an HP Pavilion x360 11t convertible laptop and will be given away after the closing keynote on Wednesday. HP Pavilion x360 Convertible Laptop 11-K120NR. Intel Pentium Processor N3700 (1.6 GHz), 500 GB Hard Drive, 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, Windows 10, Touchscreen, 11.6 Diagonal HD LED IPS Display, WLAN & Bluetooth
Please join us at the Networking Social Tuesday, March 8th 5:45 pm - 9:00 pm In the St. Charles Ballroom Hors d oeuvres, cash bar Bring your door prize ticket from your conference bag for your chance for: Keurig Kindle Paperwhite Go Pro camera Bluetooth Speaker DJ Food will be available from 5:45 pm to 7:30 pm. Included with your registration. Don t Forget: Closing Keynote Speaker Colette Carlson Megacenter Wednesday, March 9th 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm Door Prizes, including the grand prize laptop, and lunch after the keynote