The countdown is on. It’s almost time for the AISES National Conference, an annual highlight for thousands of Indigenous professionals throughout North America and beyond. The conference will be making its virtual debut on a 100 percent online platform, giving participants new ways to make the most of three action-packed days. This year’s all-virtual format will include opening and closing ceremonies, a keynote address, a talking circle, expert-led topical sessions, research presentations, mixers, and Indian Country’s largest College and Career Fair.
You will have a lot of ground to cover as an attendee. The agenda features more than 60 live and pre-recorded sessions and numerous opportunities to interact with exhibitors, speakers, sponsors, and your fellow attendees. Here’s what you should know as you prepare for this signature AISES event, which kicks off with pre-conference activities on October 14 and the October 15 opening ceremony.
Job No. 1: Register now. October 5 is the deadline and there will be no exceptions.
“People must register by October 5 — there will be no late or same-day registration,” says Katherine Cristiano, senior director of special events at AISES. “With our digital platform, we need lead time to get attendees credentials and ensure they can access the venue.” Cristiano and her team foresaw the potential for a virtual conference in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and they have carefully planned for a seamless digital experience in partnership with virtual event agency O’Design.
Once you’ve registered, tune in to a must-see 13-minute orientation webinar that covers key logistics to help you get around and have a successful three days. “When participants invest some time in advance to prepare for a virtual event — much as they would an in-person meeting — they position themselves to have a productive, enjoyable, and memorable experience,” advises Lani Rich, relationship specialist at O’Design.
Have your device, bandwidth, and background ready.
Chances are you’ve been spending a fair amount of time honing your screen skills on platforms like Skype and Zoom. The National Conference offers an opportunity to apply what you’ve learned as a virtual professional and even take your skills up a notch.
• Know which device you’ll use and test that all systems are go. While a laptop or desktop is optimal, you can use any device with an Internet connection. Just make sure your audio and video are in good working order. If you’re going to use headphones or air buds to cut out any background noise, charge them up — and recharge them during breaks, if necessary.
• Update your browser and test your bandwidth. Access issues can often be traced to an outdated browser, so download the latest version. (Pro tip: The conference platform is most compatible with Google Chrome.) It’s also important to check your bandwidth speed — you’ll want a connection between five and 10 megabytes per second (Mbps).
• Use virtual best practices. “Select a background that puts you in the best light,” suggests Rich. ”Stay away from a setup that’s too distracting.” Also, try experimenting with light to see what looks best on screen. Avoid sitting in front of a bright window or lamp, which will give you a dark, shadowy look.
Be ready with a Plan B for each part of your setup. “Always have a backup plan,” says Lexie Carbone, Marketing Campaigns Lead for Instagram marketing platform Later. “As we all know, live-streaming and virtual tools can fail without reason, so it’s crucial you aren’t scrambling for a new solution during crunch time. Make sure you have plans in place for all those 'worst-case scenario' moments."
Plan, focus, and seize opportunities to connect.
“An advantage of the virtual conference format is the flexibility to attend a greater number of different sessions,” points out Cristiano. For example, if you’re torn about which concurrent session to attend, no need to worry. Attend your first choice and watch recordings of the others later (recordings will be available for 30 days after the closing ceremony).
Review your conference materials in advance, especially the agenda. Prioritize live events over pre-recorded sessions to increase chances to interact with presenters and participants. If you’re in the job market, research the more than 150 exhibitors to identify which might be hiring — and be prepared to seize interview opportunities. “As attendees become familiar with the platform’s functionalities, they will see they can do the same things people do in person,” says Rich. “They can exchange contact information and have one-on-one chats and small group discussions — perhaps even more easily than at a physical location.” (If you want to network, be sure you “opt in” to share contact information when you register.)
On the days you attend sessions, clear the rest of your schedule. Turn off pop-ups and alerts on your device and resist urges to check emails or texts. The more you can focus, the better positioned you’ll be to participate. The more you participate, the more “fish” — as in new contacts, allies, and employers — you’ll be able to catch. “Minimize distractions: When you’re watching alone, it’s easy to multitask and get distracted,” adds Carbone. “Instead, try to reduce notifications, grab a notepad, and get ready to start learning!"
Follow up.
The National Conference is a valuable path to expanding your world, and it will be important to build on the effort you’ve made.
• Stay connected. Keep in contact with the people you meet. In addition to the real-time chatting and debriefing you may do with other attendees, follow through on discussions you would like to continue later.
• Share feedback. As you reflect on your experience, be sure to complete your post-conference survey. The event team at AISES welcomes your thoughts and insights.
• Continue to take in content. Make the most of the month you’ll have to view recorded sessions. If there’s something you missed — or liked so much you would like to see it again – enjoy them while you can!
On Topic
Tony Kahn, Navajo (Dine’), was raised on the Navajo Nation, but is originally from Chinle and Lukachukai, Ariz. He has worked for the Arizona Public Service Company in Phoenix for the past 30 years, currently serving as the lead boiler inspector. Kahn earned his BS in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. He was a founding member of the Stanford University AISES College Chapter, a founding member of the Phoenix, Ariz., Professional Chapter of AISES, and a former member of the AISES Professional Awards Committee. A former AISES Board Member, Kahn is a Sequoyah Fellow. He currently serves on the Phoenix Indian Center Board of Directors, as immediate past president.
How can attendees go about prioritizing sessions to attend at the National Conference?
Go through the list of sessions before the conference starts and choose sessions that mean a lot to you personally or professionally. In each time slot, choose one session that you really want to attend, with one backup session.
What can attendees do prior to the National Conference to gain the most from the experience?
Think of how the theme of the conference relates to you. In your interactions with other professionals or at your career fair booth, incorporate the conference theme in creative ways. Also look at the program before the conference starts and note the keynote speakers and times. Highlight all events that you want to attend. Update your resume as needed.
Networking is a big part of the National Conference. What steps should attendees take to effectively network at this year’s virtual conference?
Contact your friends and colleagues prior to the conference to see if they will attend, and then make a list of events you want to attend together. Attend any events that are open to all. Turn on your Zoom camera so that others can see you are there. Interact virtually as you would in person. Be outgoing and engage in the virtual setting.
How can attendees capitalize on the College and Career Fair during the National Conference?
Review the list of companies and schools that will participate. Just as you would in an in-person career fair, stop by all the booths that you are interested in. Chat with the people staffing the booth, and inquire about any job positions you are interested in. Ask questions to get to know the company. Be sure to make a good impression — and if you’re looking for a new job, treat the interaction like a job interview.
What are the top three lessons attendees can expect to take away from the National Conference?
1. Visit with the Council of Elders and talk with them. Treat this time as special, as this is your chance to talk with an Elder and glean wisdom and words of encouragement that will help you through life. Be honest and upfront with the Elders as they can give encouragement and life lessons from their own experience.
2. There is a lot of great information at the General Members Meeting, so please attend that to learn about the current state of AISES and issues confronting the CEO and Board of Directors. There are lots of lessons to learn in the General Members Meeting.
3. Keep an open mind and be outgoing. Attend a session that you normally would not attend but interests you. If you’re outgoing, you could meet a new friend or reestablish an old friendship.
