Handy Last-minute Conference Logistics FAQ
25 Aug 2009
Greetings, NAMAC Conference Attendees!
We can't wait to see you in Boston this week! As you prepare to attend, you can find all the information you need on this web site.
Some key questions are answered here for your convenience.
Where is Conference Headquarters?
The Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers
64 Arlington Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Closest T Station: Arlington Street (green line), 1 block away
Phone: 617-426-2000
Where and when do I pick up my name badge and registration packet?
Ballroom Lobby, Park Plaza Hotel
Pick up your name badge, program book and directions to all off site events.
Wednesday: 3:00-5:30pm
Thursday: 8:00am-5:00pm
Friday: 8:00am-5:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am-5:00pm
*Your name badge is your "ticket" to all conference events. Please be sure to wear it at all times!
How do I get to the opening reception?
Wednesday, 6pm-8pm
MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge
Our first event of the conference is off-site at MIT. Pick up your name badge and registration packet at the Park Plaza beforehand (3:00pm - 5:30pm) if you can. (Otherwise, we'll check your name against the registration list at the door and you can register for the full conference in the morning.) Come nosh on Boston-themed hors d'oeuvres, meet up with old friends and new and explore the social potential of new communication technologies at MIT Museum's Connections exhibit.
Public Transit Directions:
Cost: $2.00 each way
* From Arlington St. Station take the Green Line inbound, using any of the lines (towards Lechmere Station)
* Get off at the Park Street Station (2 stops), and follow signs, heading downstairs to the Red Line outbound (to Alewife Station)
* Get off at Central Square Station (3 stops)
* Exit the station onto Massachusetts Avenue
* Walk down Massachusetts Avenue, passing Wendy's, for approximately four blocks (around 10 minutes walking)
* End at the MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Avenue
Can I download an advance copy of the program book?
Why, yes you can. Download your PDF copy of the conference program on our "schedule" page and start your planning on the plane.
Are there any events I need to sign up for in advance?
There are a few events at the conference for which there are limited spaces. You can sign up online in advance for the arts & media tours (Friday afternoon), and the dine-arounds (Thursday evening). Just go to the "schedule" page and click on the tour and dine-around pages to find the sign-up links. Sign-ups for tours and dine-arounds, as well as for the funder roundtables, will also be available on-site at the conference Info Desk in the Plaza Ballroom.
Can you help me connect with some key people for a discussion I want to have about x, y, or z?
This is why we've planned an Open Space component to our conference programming! Start thinking about what hot topic you'd like to discuss with others outside the curated programming. Don't miss our Thursday 11:00am - 12:30am session where we'll work through a facilitated process to identify critical discussion topics and set a schedule of conversations for the weekend.
How do I tag or share all my social media updates about the conference?
Tweet your thoughts with the #namac09 hashtag. Join our open Flickr group and upload your pictures! Send any blog posts to conference@namac.org so we can re-post them on our site.
And don't forget to follow @namac and become a NAMAC fan on Facebook to get all our updates.
How will I access the Internet at the conference?
* Cell phone signals are strong, and people accessing email through mobile devices on the 3G network should have no problem.
* The digital lounge Tech Superpowers is offering NAMAC conferees free access to their services and 8 hours of time at the computer workstations. All conference attendees receive a free one-month membership. Located a few blocks fromt he Park Plaza Hotel at 252 Newbury Street, between Gloucester and Fairfield Streets (on the ground floor, down the steps in the front of the building).
* The Boston Park Plaza hotel business center provides computer, printing and copying services to hotel guests. Open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, with guestroom key access.
* For those who need wi-fi access, we have secured 3-day access codes for 150 individual computers/devices for the hotel's wi-fi network in all meeting rooms. Access codes are available first-come, first-served at the conference Info Desk. Please note that these access codes are limited, and help save them for others if you can use your cellular device or check email at the digital lounge or business center.
Where do I go to ask any questions once I'm on-site at the Conference?
Bring all your burning questions to the Info Desk in the Plaza Ballroom. This will also be the spot where you come to get your answers, sign up for your tour and your Thursday evening dinner, reserve your spot at a funder roundtable and more.
Photography/Video/Audio Taping Release
Please be advised that NAMAC will be photographing, taping and recording during the conference and your image and voice might be used for future distribution and promotional purposes.
We look forward to meeting you in Boston!
Safe travels,
Brittany, Deborah, Donna, Jack, Laura, Mira, Sara Jane, Susi, and Yolanda
The NAMAC Conference Team
P.S. Don't forget to check back here at our web site for lots more info and updates before your trip and during your stay with us.
