IUG 2008
Innovative Users
Group
Sixteenth Annual Conference
Washington, DC
Sunday, April 27, 2008 - Wednesday, April 30, 2008
2008 IUG Conference FAQ
General | Registration | One Day
Registration Information | Pre-conference | Meals & Social Events | Housing | Programs |
Non-IUG Member Registration
General:
Q. When is the conference?
A. The conference begins Sunday, April 27, 2008 and runs through Wednesday,
April 30, 2008. The IUG pre-conference and the Innovative training workshops
will be held on Sunday, April 27, with the main conference held Monday, April
28, to Wednesday, April 30.
Q. Where will the conference be held?
A. The 2008 IUG conference will be held in Washington DC. The headquarters/conference hotel is the Omni Shoreham. An additional block of rooms is available at the Washington Hilton. The hotels are approximately one mile apart and the IUG will offer a morning and afternoon shuttle service between properties. There will be multiple shuttle times – watch for signs with shuttle schedules. Information will also be published in the conference program.
Q. How do I get there?
A. There are 3 airports that serve the Washington, DC metropolitan area: Reagan National (DCA), Dulles
International (IAD), and Baltimore/Washington International (BWI). The closest airport is Reagan National
but shuttle or taxi service is available from all three. Reagan and Dulles are likely the most
convenient for many attendees. AMTRAK
service is also available to Washington’s Union Station. Public transportation users: It is an easy Metro ride from either
Reagan National or Union Station to the Omni Shoreham.
Q. I’m a vendor. How can I get information about exhibiting
at IUG?
A. Contact our conference manager, Patricia Jones at pia@icmevents.com.
Q. Will there be Internet access to check email?
A. Yes. There will be a small area with workstations set aside for attendees
to use to check email. The workstations will have time management software to
help limit users to 15-minute sessions. Printing will be available this year
for boarding passes, notes, etc. Internet is available in the conference
hotels at an additional charge. Complimentary
high speed internet access is available in Omni Shoreham hotel guest rooms
for all IUG attendees during the conference. Wireless internet is also
complimentary in the lobby of the hotel. The IUG Local Arrangements Committee is coming up with a WiFi page and it will be posted soon.
Q. Will pads, pens be provided?
A. At IUG 16, we are expecting to have a notebook (from Innovative) and the
famous IUG pens (maybe with a slight modification) that promote the next
conference.
Q. If I still have questions after reading this FAQ, who should I
contact?
A. Contact Nancy Fleck, IUG Chair or John Culshaw IUG Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect/2008
Program Committee Chair, at with any additional questions.
Registration:
Q. What are the rates for registering for the conference?
A. Conference rates are available on the IUG website at: http://innovativeusers.org/iug2008/registration.html
Q. How do I register?
A. Conference registration opened in January. The Conference registration process
will be entirely online. If you are a non-member, contact Kathy
O’Gorman, IUG Financial Consultant, at Kathy@innovativeusers.org for
more information. If you aren't sure if your library is an IUG member, check
the roster online at http://innopacusers.org/membership/directory/index.php (login and password required)
Q. What is my site code?
A. The site code is the code that Innovative Interfaces uses to refer to its
customers. It is not the same as your IUG membership number. If you don't
know your site code, contact your site coordinator or the Innovative Help
Desk. This cannot be provided by anyone with IUG.
Q. What forms of payment do you accept?
A. Conference registration fees can be paid by credit card (Visa, MasterCard,
or American Express) or check. No purchase orders or Electronic Transfer of
Funds are accepted.
Q. How do I register for the pre-conference or the half-day
workshops?
A. You can register for the IUG pre-conference or the half-day training
workshops when you register for the main conference.
Q. Can I sign up for both the IUG pre-conference and Innovative's half-day workshops?
A. The pre-conference and half-day workshops will be presented at the same
time, so it really isn't possible to do both. But you could do one of Innovative’s half-day workshops and either the
morning or afternoon of the preconference (standard preconference
registration rates apply).
Q. What if I forget to sign up for something when I register?
A. Please e-mail Kathy O'Gorman, Kathy@innovativeusers.org,
with your registration number and a description of the changes to be
made. She will contact you to confirm the changes.
Q. Can I get on a waiting list for the half-day workshops if they
are already full when I register?
A. Yes, the conference registration site will provide instructions on how to
get on a waiting list.
Q. My institution can't get a check cut by the early bird
deadline. Can I still register at the early bird rate?
A. Yes. You must complete the online registration form on or before the
deadline to qualify for early bird rates even if the check will not arrive
until after that date. Your registration will be pending until payment is
received and processed.
Q. I am presenting a program. Do I have to register?
A. Everyone, including presenters, attending the conference must
register. Presenters for the main conference programs pay for the main
conference at the early bird rate. People presenting a program at the IUG
pre-conference do not have to register or pay for the pre-conference.
Q. Can I register for just one day of the conference?
A. Yes. We are continuing the popular option allowing single day registration
for the last day of the conference (Wednesday April 30). This day will
include many of the more popular sessions repeated from earlier in the
conference. Click here for more information. You can
also register just for the IUG pre-conference.
Q. Is there a form I can use to submit to my business office so
they can complete the registration process online?
A. Yes, one is available on the Conference Registration page. Please note
that all registrations must be completed online. No paper forms will be
accepted.
Q. Will I receive a badge in the mail?
A. No, you will pick up your badge and other conference information at the
registration desk.
Information
about registration hours will be e-mailed shortly before the conference.
Q. How do I know if I am registered?
A. When you finish your online registration, you will receive an e-mail
indicating that you completed the registration process. If you believe that
you have completed the registration steps and do not receive an e-mail within
24 hours, contact Kathy O’Gorman, IUG Financial Consultant, at Kathy@innovativeusers.org
Q. How do I find my library’s membership number?
A. Check the current IUG membership roster at http://innopacusers.org/membership/directory/index.php
Q. Is it possible to substitute a new person for someone who is
already registered?
A. Yes. Contact Kathy O’Gorman, IUG Financial Consultant, at Kathy@innovativeusers.org with
the new person's name, e-mail address and confirmation number of the record
of the person being replaced.
Q. Who should I contact if I have other questions about registration?
A. Contact Kathy O’Gorman, IUG Financial Consultant, at Kathy@innovativeusers.org
Q. What is the cancellation policy?
A. Written requests for refunds for the main conference must be postmarked or
electronically submitted by April 15, 2008, 8:00PM EST. There is a $15
handling fee for cancellation of main conference attendance.
Send in writing to: Kathy O’Gorman, IUG Financial Consultant, PO Box
15080, Cincinnati, OH 45215-0080
Or electronically to: Kathy@innovativeusers.org (a confirming response will be sent)
Visit
here for more information on the cancellation policy.
Pre-conference or meal functions may be cancelled in writing or
electronically by April 15, 2008, 8:00PM EST with no penalty. No phone cancellations
accepted.
One-day Registration:
Q. Who is eligible?
A: Any staff member from an IUG Library. The goal is to make the sessions on
the last day more accessible to staff who might not otherwise have the
resources to attend a conference.
Q. What do the One Day registrants get?
A: They get a full program and a badge. They do not get a bag & goodies.
This is factored into the registration rate.
Q. When do they get to pick up their badge?
A: Last day only. We will have on-site registration on Wednesday morning,
April 30 (hours to be determined).
Q. What does it cost?
A: $40 if registered in advance (prior to April 15) and $55 if registered
onsite.
Q. If you come to the last-day special, can you register for the
Public Library Luncheon which takes place on the last day?
A: Yes, you may register for the one day rate and attend the Public Library
Luncheon that day. There is an extra charge for the Public Library Luncheon.
Q. Can you attend the Enhancements Forum as the Early Bird Session
on the last day?
A: Yes. Registration hours will be set to ensure that you can pick up your
badge in time for the Early Bird Session on Enhancements.
Q. May I choose a different day for a one-day registration?
A: No.
Pre-Conference:
Q. What is the difference between the pre-conference and the
half-day workshops?
A. The “IUG Pre-conference” is a series of short programs on
Innovative basics, geared (but not limited) to new staff. The format is the
same as that of the main conference. Space is limited to 300 attendees. The
half-day workshops presented by Innovative focus on
specific aspects of the system and is limited to 250 people per
workshop.
Q. Who should come to the IUG pre-conference?
A. The “IUG Pre-conference” is designed primarily for staff at
libraries that have implemented Innovative systems within the last two years.
New staff members at older existing sites also find it useful for Innovative
Basics. However, the IUG pre-conference is also useful for people who want a
refresher on various parts of the system.
Q. Will there be half-day workshops this year?
A. Yes. There will be two half-day workshops. See the conference
Web site for details.
Q. Is there a space limit on the half-day workshop?
A. Yes. Space is limited to 250 participants. Names will be placed on a
waiting list for those who register after the workshop is filled.
Meals & Social Events:
Q. What meals are included in registration?
A. The only meal included with conference registration is the all conference
luncheon, which will be held on Tuesday, April 29. Refreshments will be available during
morning and afternoon breaks. Breakfasts are not included. Lunch is not
included in registration for the IUG pre-conference events on Monday.
Q. When/what is the all-conference luncheon?
A. The all-conference luncheon is on Tuesday, April 29. In past years, the all-conference lunch has been a sit down affair with a short program. This year we are going to do something a bit different. We are planning boxed lunches this time, which gives us the ability to offer some forums over the lunch period. How will this work? We will have all of the lunches set out in one of the ballrooms. Everyone can come in, grab the lunch of their choice, and either stay in the ballroom to eat with friends or meet some new people. The exhibit hall will be open and tables will be available so you can eat lunch here and spend times in the exhibits. Or, you can grab a lunch and head to one of the forums, eating your lunch in that session. Or, you can grab a lunch and head outside if the weather is nice. This is a departure from the past, but there is a good reason for it - we had too many great sessions proposed and not enough rooms for everything we wanted to offer! This change allows us the chance to provide more sessions, and thus expand our conference. We hope this will be a win-win situation for everyone!
Q. Will there be Birds of a Feather seating at the all-conference
luncheon?
A. With the number of conference attendees at over 1,700, the logistics of
organizing marked tables and getting people to those tables quickly becomes
nightmarish. We can only put 10
people around one table. We DO
encourage Birds of a Feather to meet during Tuesday’s lunch, but please
gather your groups outside the lunch room and find a table together.
Q. How do I sign up for the Public Library lunch or the Law
Library lunch?
A. Pre-registration is required for these lunches. You can sign up for them
as part of your conference registration. The Law Library lunch is limited to
members of the Innovative Law Users Group.
Q. Why is the Law Library lunch less expensive than the Public
Library lunch?
A. The Innovative Law Users Group is partially subsidizing the cost of the luncheon
for their members.
Q. Will there be a big reception this year?
A. Innovative will be hosting the opening reception Monday, April 28. It is
open to all conference attendees. Please be sure to wear your conference
badge.
Q. Are there any other receptions?
A. Innovative will also be hosting invitation-only receptions for users at
beta partner sites and international users.
Housing:
Q. How do I get the IUG conference rate at the hotel?
A. Please visit the IUG
2008 Hotel Information page for more details and links to the IUG hotel
reservation page.
Q. What do I do if the conference hotel is already full?
A. The Omni Shoreham is already sold out. There are plenty of rooms available at
the Washington Hilton. If both
appear full, please contact our conference manager, Patricia Jones, at pia@icmevents.com.
Q. How do I cancel my hotel reservation if I need to?
A. Call the hotel and cancel as soon as you know that you will not be using
your reserved room.
Q. Who do I talk to if I have problems or questions about housing?
A. Contact our conference manager, Patricia Jones, at pia@icmevents.com
Programs:
Q. What types of programs will be offered?
A. The main conference program includes approximately 136 one-hour sessions
presented by IUG members or Innovative staff. Program formats vary and in the
past have included panel discussions, single or multiple presenter sessions
and open discussion forums.
Q. Will handouts be available?
A. Program materials will only be available online. They will be available on
the IUG website in a password protected section approximately 3-4 weeks prior
to the conference. Registered attendees will be notified when they are
available for you to review. We encourage you to use these materials to help
narrow down your choice of programs to attend as well as use them as a
resource after you return home from Washington. We are going to be using WordPress (blog) software for the program pages.
Q. Where are the handouts for programs presented by Innovative
staff?
A. Innovative staff will again provide outlines, if not full powerpoints, of their presentation content on CSDirect approximately 3-4 weeks prior to the conference.
The completed program materials will be available on CSDirect,
generally within a week or so following the conference. Timing may vary, so
please allow some flexibility.
Q. When will the preliminary program be available?
A. Preliminary program and schedule are currently posted and will be updated
regularly.
Q. Is it too late to propose a program or poster session?
A. Yes. The deadline for proposing programs and posters has passed. If you
have a topic you want to discuss or information you wish to share, we suggest
that you sign up for a Birds of a Feather session.
Q. What are “Birds of a Feather” sessions?
A. Birds of a Feather (or BoF) are informal
sessions organized by conference attendees interested in topics that may not be
included in the conference program or to discuss something covered in a
formal program. Sign up sheets will be available
near the Registration Desk and space has been allocated to give groups a
place to meet. You can also plan a session during
the all-conference lunch on Tuesday, April 29th. Three conference rooms will be
available for BoF sessions during that time or you can gather a group outside the
ballroom and sit together informally for a lunch discussion.
Q. What are Poster Sessions?
A. Poster Sessions are graphical representations of practices or enhancements
made by users to their III systems. Presenters will spend a designated time
at their exhibits to answer questions and otherwise confer with attendees.
This year that time will be right after the opening session on Monday, April
28.
Q. Who do I contact with other program questions?
A. Contact John Culshaw, IUG
Vice-Chair and 2008 Program Chair.
Non-IUG Member Registration:
If your library or institution is not a member of the
Innovative Users Group, contact Kathy O'Gorman, IUG Financial
Consultant, kathy@innovativeusers.org,
for more information.
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