Here I am, the weekend before the Tuesday morning I’ll be flying out to Denver for EDUCAUSE 2018. I’m getting ready–I made sure my spouse had my itineraries and conference information, I’m making plans with people, reviewing my schedule yet again, and generally getting in the frame of mind I need to be in to get the most out of the event.
This will be my 13th EDUCAUSE Annual Conference. My first was in 2004, and I’ve been to every one since 2010. I’m very fortunate in that I’ve cultivated a great network of people that I get to experience the conference with, and their perspectives continue to educate and amaze me. I hope that I give something back to them as well.
I’m looking forward to reconnecting with everyone, meeting new friends, learning great things (I’m particularly interested in diversity in the profession, data warehousing, furthering my professional growth, and the future of higher ed). I also love Denver–I lived in Colorado for a year and a half when I was in grad school, and driving to Denver for shows or tourism was always a treat. I love the crisp mountain air and the brilliant sunshine (although the weather forecast says that will be in short supply).
As always, most of my conference suggestions are evergreen and are in this blog (just search the EDUCAUSE tag). Denver’s altitude and dry air means hydration is important, especially for those of us nearly at sea level. Understand you’ll be going full tilt for 12-16 hours every day, and plan for sleep and exercise to balance that. And don’t go too crazy with the food and drink (and, I suppose, other things.) But definitely go to dinner with people, and linger at the bar as well.
If you don’t know me, say hi. If you do, of course also say hi. We’ll do lunch, or dinner, or second dinner, or just hang out late at the hotel bar. Think of deep, profound questions to ask people you meet–they will be primed to give you deep, detailed answers, trust me. Keep the fires alive after the conference too–you can always meet up later on, and decide to collaborate on other things. (Related: Come to our poster session.) Also, I’ve never met someone–even the biggest “rock stars” of EDUCAUSE, who haven’t been happy to say hi and shake hands with anyone. That’s why they’re there.
Also, I apologize in advance for my Twitter being full of #edu18 starting Tuesday morning. If you really don’t care I would understand if you mute me for a bit. But not only do I like sharing with others, it’s also how I keep my notes of the conference.
See some of you in Denver!
