More STC Annual Conference Tips

[Binion Amerson <aba -at- OC -dot- COM>]

My friends George Hayhoe and LaVonna Funkhouser have listed a number of
great tips for attending an STC Annual Conference.  As the General Manager
of the 40th STC Annual Conference held in Dallas during June 1993, I'd like
to offer a few more tips:

 *  Wear Comfortable Shoes and Clothing!  You will be standing and walking
    more than normal.

 *  Attend the Chapter Leaders' Workshop.  Held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
    on Sunday, this is a must for all current and incoming chapter leaders.
    Here you will meet other chapter leaders from around the world and hear
    a series of presentations and discussion sessions on chapter management.

 *  Do Not Miss the Welcome Reception.  Although George and LaVonna said to
    attend all social function, do not miss the Welcome Session on Sunday
    evening from 7 to 10 p.m.  There will be food, music, and plenty of time
    to meet new and old friends.  And, LaVonna will be here to personally
    hand out yellow TECHWR-L stickeys.

 *  Do Not Miss the Opening Session.  This sets the stage for the remainder
    of the conference.  This year's opening speaker, former newscaster Edwin
    Newman, should be great.

 *  Wear Your Badge.  It is important to wear your badge at all times while
    attending conference functions so as to identify yourself.  But, take
    your badge off if you leave the hotel on nonconference functions.  To
    wear your badge elsewhere immediately targets you as a tourist.  (Of
    course there are a lot of tourists in DC; I know as I worked in DC for
    7 years.)

 *  Attend Your STC Region Reception.  This is the place to meet other
    technical communicators from your region.  Each of the eight STC
    Director-Sponsors are hosting separate receptions as follows:

    Region 1        Monday   6:30pm - 8           Maryland B
    Region 2        Monday   6:30pm - 8           Maryland A
    Region 3        Tuesday  9:00pm - 12          Maryland A
    Region 4        Monday   6:30pm - 8           Maryland C
    Region 5        Tuesday  9:00pm - 12          Maryland B
    Region 6        Monday   6:30pm - 8           Virginia A
    Region 7        Monday   6:30pm - 8           Virginia B
    Region 8        Tuesday  9:00pm - 12          Maryland C

 *  Go to the Exposition.  Make sure that you visit the exhibits where you
    can talk one-on-one with representatives from many of the leading
    technical communication related companies and view first hand their
    services.

 *  Visit the 43rd STC Annual Conference Preview Booth.  Do not miss the
    preview booth for the 43rd STC Annual Conference to be held in Seattle,
    May 5 - 8, 1996.  Here you can pick up brochures on that conference and
    on Seattle; and, if its like previous conferences, you can register for
    some great prizes.

 *  Visit the Competition Winners Display.  You must spend time in the
    Competition Winners Display area of the Exposition.  Here you can view
    the winners of the International Technical Art, Publications, Video, and
    Online Communication Competitions.  There is a wine and cheese reception
    on Monday, April 24 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the display area where you
    can meet many of the winners.

 *  Visit the Employment Booth.  If you are looking to find a job or have a
    job opening at your company, visit the STC Employment Booth in the
    Exposition area.   Do not forget to bring copies of your resume if you
    are looking for a job.  Likewise, if you have a job opening, bring copies
    of the job description.

 *  Visit the Society Publications Booth.  Located in the Exposition area,
    the Society booth is the place to pick up your List of Attendees and any
    other STC publication that you may want.  Don't forget to tell the staff
    how much you appreciate all they do for STC.

 *  Attend the STC Annual Business Meeting.  If you would like to hear about
    this year's accomplishments and plans for next year, attend the STC
    Annual Business Meeting on Tuesday from 10:30 a,m, til 10 Noon.

 *  Attend the STC Forum.  If you would like to ask a question about an
    issue concerning the Profession, the Society, and the Conference, join
    former STC President Gunther Marx as he moderates this sometimes lively
    session.   All STC Board of Directors, Executive Director, and other
    Society leaders will be on hand to answer your questions.  The STC Forum
    runs from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon.

 *  Attend the Honors Reception and Honors Banquet.  George mentioned this
    one and I am repeating it.  Do attend this event so as to honor the
    Society's newly elected Honorary Fellow, Fellows, and Associate Fellows.
    Also learn for the first time which chapters have won the coveted Chapter
    Achievement Awards and the Pacesetter Awards.  This event is Tuesday
    evening from 6 to 9 p.m.  Come and cheer chapter and their leaders.

 *  Attend the Closing Session.  Like the Opening Session, do not miss the
    Closing Session which formally ends the Conference.  Here you will learn
    how to savor what you have absorbed over the past three days.

 *  Do Not Miss the Host Chapter Party.  Come to this party and help the
    Washington, DC Chapter celebrate the conclusion of the 42nd STC Annual
    Conference.  The party, which runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, will
    give you an opportunity to thank the host chapter for a job well done.

I am sure there are other tips for conference attendees--first-timers and
long-timers alike.  As one attends more and more of the STC Annual
Conferences (This will be my eighth consecutive one.), they become part of
your life.

See you all in DC.

Binion Amerson, aba -at- oc -dot- com (B), aba -at- unicomp -dot- net (H)
Director-Sponsor, STC Region 5





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Binion Amerson, Senior Technical Writer, OpenConnect Systems, 2711 LBJ, Ste
800, Dallas, TX 75234, Ph 214/888-0447; Fax 214/484-6100; E-mail aba -at- oc -dot- com
Director-Sponsor, Society for Technical Communication (STC) Region 5.
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