ACPA Baltimore 2010: Reaching out to Local Institutions

This year the ACPA Convention Planning Team has decided to be more intentional than ever before in terms of reaching out to local institutions in the area of the annual convention. Since the convention is in Baltimore this year, this means that student affairs professionals from all over Maryland will be more likely to attend the conference. With that being said, the Convention Planning Team wants to make sure that members from the area feel connected to the conference and the content that is being presented. Recently, there was a survey sent out by the Local Institutions Liaison Team (LILT) to student affairs professionals at institutions within a 60 mile radius of the convention. This survey was to gather information regarding salient issues in the area and general interest in the convention. Individuals that completed this survey provided important information regarding institutional “hot topics” that will inform featured speakers. In addition those that completed the recent survey will be contacted as the convention draws closer with information regarding programs that address the issues that they indicated were of importance to them. The LILT is hoping that the additional outreach that is being done will  increase convention registration, volunteerism and corporate sponsorship. In addition to outreach prior to the convention, the LILT will host a meeting of local Vice Presidents and Deans on the opening day of the convention prior to the opening session and reception. Additionally, the LILT will research campus issues and communicate featured programs and presentations to local SSAOs that address those campus issues. The Local Institutions Liaison Team is also looking into ways to support the Local Arrangements Team and Convention Logistics such as reaching out to state associations and local institutions for volunteers prior to the arrival of convention volunteers outside of the area, facilitating tours of local campuses, and/or organizing carpools and other transportation options.  These are just some of the ideas that the LILT has to better serve the convention and the local professionals. Be on the lookout for more from the LILT in the coming months!