Over the years, frequent attendees and volunteers have contributed to the following list of tips for a first time attendee to make the most of their conference experience. We are posting here for all as we know some of our frequent conference goers always appreciate a reminder!
Volunteers getting ready for the American Mosaic Summit 2013!
PREPARATION & PACKING
- Leave space in your suitcase, or bring an extra bag to check through, in case you go on a spree at the Vendor Marketplace or the shops in and around the conference venue.
- NOTE: There will be a UPS booth in the Vendor Marketplace to make it super easy to ship your purchases home!
- Wear comfortable shoes. Wear clothes in layers; some rooms may be warm, others cool.
- Casual clothes are fine for all events, but you may want to bring 1-2 dressier things for the Welcome Mixer/Mosaic Art Salon Auction and for the MAI Artists Reception and Have a Ball (for SAMA).
- Bring a camera! (if there isn’t one on your phone)
- Bring a picture(s) of your mosaic works to show when other artists share their photos. We all like to see one another’s style of mosaic art.
- Bring a small (6 x 9) spiral notebook (dedicated to SAMA conferences) for taking notes at workshops, presentations, and vendor show. It is also handy for a quick sketch.
- If you have business cards bring a lot, maybe 50-100. Don’t run out just when you make an important contact!
-
Getting Ready for the 2013 American Mosaic Summit. Meal Tickets – CHECK!
Feel free to bring along a mosaic book written by your favorite artist so that you can request a signature from the author, if she/he is there.
- Brown Bag Exchange: This is a voluntary tesserae exchange – you must bring a bag in order to take a bag. Remember that this is a gift. Place special items into your bag that you would be excited to receive, and include a note so the recipient can contact you if they want to. Wrap items tightly, or put them in a plastic bag inside the brown bag – the bags get tossed around a bit and you don’t want your bag to tear open. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!
- Get a good understanding of each of the different activities and events before you leave home. There’s a lot going on and you don’t want to miss out on something because you didn’t fully understand it.
- Carefully review the description on the SAMA website of each event page under the “Annual Conference” tab. If the day and time details are not on an event page, you can find those specifics on the page entitled “2013 Full Conference Schedule”.
- 2013 Conference Accommodations (Hotel, airport, and transportation information)
- 2013 Full Conference Schedule (day-by-day list of events, event times, event locations)
- 2013 Mosaic Tours (additional tours have been added. You can also do a self-guided tour!)
- 2013 Registration Fees (know exactly what is included in your registration fee [“Full” or “Economical”] and what the a la Carte items are)
- 2013 American Mosaic Summit: Presentation Program (eight fascinating and inspirational presentations will be given to the entire cadre of conference attendees)
- 2013 Vendor Marketplace. See the Full Conference Schedule for the days, hours, and location that Marketplace will be open.
- 2013 Education Program: Workshops & Seminars (Descriptions available in summary form and detail form; instructor bios available; specific instructions or list of materials to bring, if required)
- 2013 Mosaic Art Salon (this is a lively and exciting event with lots of silent auction bidding wars taking place! Photos from prior year may be viewed here)
- 2013 Mosaic Marathon (learn how to participate, and see the designs for the 3 mosaic art panels that we’ll be fabricating during the conference and then donating to The Boys & Girls Club).
- 2013 Networking Events and Meals (see participation specifics on buffet lunches, Welcome Mixer and Mosaic Art Salon Auction, Mosaic Arts International 2013 Artist Reception, and Have a Ball fundraising dinner and auction)
- 2013 Additional Conference Activities (details on Tesserae Brown Bag Exchange, SAMA Store, and Raffle. Also links available about tourist activities to enjoy while in the Seattle/Tacoma area)
- Carefully review the description on the SAMA website of each event page under the “Annual Conference” tab. If the day and time details are not on an event page, you can find those specifics on the page entitled “2013 Full Conference Schedule”.
ACTIVITIES
- UPON ARRIVAL:
- Check in at Hotel Murano and drop off your bags in your room.
-
SAMA Volunteers pulling it all together at the home of new member, Susan Lauzac. THANK YOU Susan for hosting our crew!
Pick up your Attendee Packet NEXT DOOR at the SAMA Registration Desk on the 3rd floor lobby of the Convention Center – be sure to check the daily registration ‘Open’ hours on the 2013 Full Conference Schedule.
- The packet contains your personal workshop schedule (if applicable), your name badge holder containing appropriate meal tickets and MAI members’ choice ballot, the conference program, the MAI exhibit catalog, and several important documents.
- Depending on your arrival day and time, you may next want to go volunteer at the Mosaic Marathon, go view the MAI exhibit at the Museum of Glass, go to the hotel lobby bar to meet other attendees, check the message board for interesting activities, attend a local attraction, or enjoy a meal.
- At the very beginning of the conference, take 10 minutes to sit down with your conference program and create a personal schedule on a single sheet of paper so that you don’t miss anything that you really want to do or see. There is A LOT of information provided for you so read over it carefully.
- Here’s a ‘big picture’ outline of the main components of the American Mosaic Summit.
- Weds & Thurs: Workshops and Tours (Optional. Fees based on selected workshop/tours)
- Thurs Night: Welcome Mixer and Mosaic Art Salon with silent auction (Included in ‘Full Registration’ fee; available as optional Add-On to ‘Economy Registration’)
- Fri & Sat: Speaker presentations, panel discussions, members’ meeting, and raffle (Included in ‘Full’ and ‘Economy’ conference registration fee)
- Sat Night: (1) Have a Ball fundraiser dinner (Optional. Separate fee required); (2) Closing Celebration and Dance (OPEN to all attendees and guests)
- Mosaic Marathon: Tuesday 5pm – 10pm; Wednesday 8am – 10pm; Thursday 8am – 10pm.
-
Sponsor Gift Bags getting STUFFED!
At SAMA check-in you’ll receive a canvas bag filled with Sponsor donations. Use this Gift Bag as a tote bag during the conference.
- Take time to get some rest during each day. A packed schedule may leave you sawing logs at presentations, so take a relaxing coffee break or get some catnaps, if you need to.
- Get directly involved in the events through volunteering, and especially by volunteering at Mosaic Marathon. You will meet some really great people when you do this.
- Check the message board to find out about interesting activities and local attractions. Be assured that there are many other first timers who would enjoy partnering up for an activity.
- Be sure to attend the Vendor Marketplace to check out materials and tools — there are beautiful tesserae to see and usually some really good bargains. Examine the contents of your Gift Bag, there may be vendor coupons inside! When you use your new materials back home consider entering your work in next year’s juried art show or the Mosaic Art Salon.
- Attend the Members’ Meeting on Saturday to learn more about SAMA, how it benefits you, and how you can be involved all year long!
- Try to partake in all the activities, presentations, etc. You can sleep when you get home – the opportunity to be immersed in an environment with others as passionate as you about mosaics occurs only once a year!
- If you have free time, look on the message board for last minute openings in workshops and tours caused by cancellations. Or, spend time at the Museum of Glass viewing the mosaics on exhibit in the Mosaic Arts International.
2013 PacNW Volunteers! In typical SAMA Volunteer style, wearing smiles and making work a party!
NETWORKING
- Be sure to put your “Newbie” ID tag on your name badge. Other Newbies/Solos will feel more welcomed to strike up conversations with you. Many ‘oldtimers’ like to make a special effort to get to know Newbies, too.
- Official conference “Welcomers” for Newbies and Solos will be easy for you to spot – they’ll have a small blinking light on their nametags. They look forward to helping you – so just ask!
- Also, look for nametag ribbons identifying Board Members and Volunteers if you have questions.
- Look at name badges and find people who come from your area of the country and strike up a conversation. Look for your Regional Table sign at the Breakfasts.
- Make a point to have breakfast with new people every day. Sit down at the table, introduce yourself and ask “what kind of mosaics do you do”?
- SAMA members are tremendously generous in sharing technical info and how-to tips: Take advantage of the chance to speak to and learn from exhibiting MAI artists: How did you do it? Why did you do it that way?
- Make notes on business cards you collect to help you remember the giver’s specialty. Over the years you’ll get to know many personally, but it is easy to get overwhelmed with 500 potential new friends at the first conference.
- Be sure to stop by the “Meet the SAMA Board” table in the Marketplace. Board members love to meet attendees and are happy to suggest ways to help you get actively involved in SAMA.
- NEWBIE NOTE: A separate schedule of Newbie/Solo gatherings will be sent to you in the next email from the Welcoming Committee.
Our 2013 Host Committee Co-Chairs, Richard Davis and Kelley Knickerbocker!
EXPECTATIONS
- Prepare to learn, be inspired, and have the most fun you’ve had in a long time!
- Savor every moment because it will be over before you know it!
- A post-conference survey will be available online after the conference and we hope that you’ll answer the questions so that we can continue making the SAMA conference the very best that we can.