Speed Networking Lounge
The Speed Networking Lounge is an informal conversation space that allows participants to connect with fellow attendees and collaboratively explore emerging digital pedagogy.
Overview | Virtual Networking | Onsite Networking | Schedule | Lounge Uses
Overview
Puzzles, prizes, and special treats, oh my! The OLC Accelerate Speed Networking Lounge is an informal conversation space that allows participants to connect with fellow attendees through lightweight, collaborative activities. Use your OLC Accelerate Mission Passport to guide your way through the various activities in the lounge. All are welcome to pop into the space at any time during the conference, using the area for informal chats, co-working, or reflections. Our hope is that you will use the space throughout the conference to collaboratively explore emerging digital pedagogy and make new connections. This year we will be doing some joint activities with our neighbors, the Technology Test Kitchen (TTK) with the OLC Accelerate Mission Passport. Stay tuned for more details!
Arguably one of the best features of conference attendance is the ability to network with colleagues from across the country. From sharing ubiquitous challenges to collaborating on solutions and innovations, these connections allow us to scale the impact of our work supporting students. But how do you make your time networking meaningful, especially if you are a person who finds it to be awkward or intimidating? Our goal is to create a space that removes as much of the awkward and intimidating as we can by having fun, short activities to bring people together, give your brain a break, and meet some new colleagues.
Virtual Networking
Since networking is so important, we don’t want to leave out our virtual audience! For the first time, we will also offer virtual networking breaks. You will be able to interact with other virtual attendees from the convenience of your campus. We will offer three themed sessions. Attend one or all three! For each session, there will be an “expert in the field” discussing a topic related to the theme. This will be an informal opportunity to connect and discuss topics of interest with folks all around the country!
Enter the Virtual Speed Networking Lounge
Onsite Networking
Located in the Exhibit Hall, the Speed Networking Lounge is open for anyone to hang out at any time that the exhibit hall space is open. During the Networking Breaks, we will have some special activities planned, tasty snacks and drinks, as well as the opportunity to win prizes. You’re welcome to pop in and out, but you may not want to leave…
Can I bring a group of my colleagues with me to the lounge?
Of course! For those looking for an area of the conference that is a little quieter for conversations with colleagues, but not as quiet as other spaces, the Speed Networking Lounge is your perfect location.
But what if I am attending the conference on my own? Is the space for solo visitors too?
This space was MADE for those coming by on their own. Simply stop by on your own to meet other attendees looking to meet, chat, connect and (hopefully) keep in touch! You can also engage with some of the participants asynchronously with interactive spaces and puzzles that will remain in the space for you to start and others to finish. Best of all, even if you don’t come with a group, you can also invite new people that you’ve met throughout the conference to meet up later in the space.
Schedule
When should I come by? There are different activities set at different times, so take a look at the schedule below to get a sense of when you might best engage with the space:
| 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Open Lounge | Come enjoy a reflective space while you recharge your brain. We’ll have a puzzle table, games, and activities to work on while you chat. Additionally, we’ll have interactive walls with prompts that you can reflect on, including a place to leave questions that other participants can help you answer. |
| 10:00am - 3:00pm; 3:45pm - 7:00pm | Open Lounge | Come enjoy a reflective space while you recharge your brain. We’ll have a puzzle table, games, and activities to work on while you chat. Additionally, we’ll have interactive walls with prompts that you can reflect on, including a place to leave questions that other participants can help you answer. |
| 3:00pm - 3:45pm | Networking Break - Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Advocacy (IDEA) | Stop by during our first networking break for special treats and fun activities. This session will have a table designated for those who are interested in topics around inclusion, diversity, equity, and advocacy). Bring your Passport and complete the activities listed to win sweet prizes. Because how often do you have the chance to network with amazing people AND win awesome things? |
| 3:00pm - 3:45pm | Networking Break - Virtual Networking: Pedagome Virtual Campfire Pedago.me: A digital campfire for learning experience designers to gather around, led by La Dawna Minnis, Susannah Simmons, Lainie Hoffman |
Pop into our virtual break out rooms and network with other virtual attendees. There will be fun conversations and a prize will be given away! Pedagome is a grassroots community of learning experience, elearning and instructional designers (among many other emerging job titles). We welcome new members to join up and share in the group’s collective knowledge and experience, as well as network, gain insights into the field, and have some fun along the way. Sound like your kind of place? Join us for a Virtual Campfire to learn more about our community and find out more about how to join the Pedagome Slack group. |
| 8:30am - 10:30am; 11:15am - 2:00pm | Open Lounge | Come enjoy a reflective space while you recharge your brain. We’ll have a puzzle table, games, and activities to work on while you chat. Additionally, we’ll have interactive walls with prompts that you can reflect on, including a place to leave questions that other participants can help you answer. |
| 10:30am - 11:15am | Networking Break - Administrators/Emerging Leaders | Stop by during the break between sessions for special treats and fun activities. This session will have a table designated for any Administrators or Emerging Leaders. Bring your Passport and complete the activities listed to win prizes. Because how often do you have the chance to network with amazing people AND win awesome things? |
| 10:30am - 11:15am | Networking Break - Virtual Networking - Let it Blend: Learnings from Blended Learning Products with Chelsea Byers and Rush Cosgrove | Pop into our virtual break out rooms and network with other virtual attendees. There will be fun conversations and a prize will be given away! |
| 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Networking Break - Instructional Designers | Stop by during the break between sessions for special treats and fun activities. This session will have a table designated for any Instructional Designers. Bring your Passport and complete the activities listed to win prizes. Because how often do you have the chance to network with amazing people AND win awesome things? |
| 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Networking Break - Virtual Networking: Games and Design in Online Courses with Keegan Long-Wheeler | Pop into our virtual break out rooms and network with other virtual attendees. There will be fun conversations and a prize will be given away! |
7 Great Ways to Use the Speed Networking Lounge
So, what exactly can you do in the Speed Networking Lounge? How can you make the most of your time in the space? Here are 7 easy ways to connect with your colleagues in a meaningful and comfortable way!
-
Recharge Over a Puzzle or Game
It’s easier to chat casually over a shared task, and what better way to recharge and refocus than tackling a puzzle or game with someone else. -
Leave a Problem, Take a Problem
Crowdsource the power of the conference by bringing questions and challenges you currently face. Leave them on one of our interactive walls with your contact information. Others who are interested in working with you on the problem can take your information and reach out to work on the challenge with you. -
Extend Conversations from a Session
After attending an amazing presentation, you often want to take a little time to connect the ideas shared with the work you’re doing at your home institution. Ask the presenter and/or other folks that stuck around after the session asking additional questions if they’d want to continue the conversation in the lounge. -
Solve a Team Problem
Are you attending the conference with members of your organization? Or maybe your colleagues from other institutions are present? Plan a time to take over the lounge for an amazing co-working session. -
Meet Up with a Social Media Friend IRL
Following someone awesome on Twitter that you’ve discovered is also at the conference? Tweet them and ask to meet up in real life in the lounge. If you come during a Networking Break, you can chat over specialty snacks and maybe win an awesome prize. -
Bring a Wingperson
If you’re anxious about networking, consider bringing a friend along with you. It can be easier to approach and meet people when you have someone else by your side. And when you do split up, you can contact-swap the interesting people you meet. -
Come Early, Come Often
As you fill your brain with all sorts of new ideas, you may find yourself needing a space to collect your thoughts and connect them to the work that you are doing at your home institution. Use the space as your home base and keep coming back whenever you need to regroup.
Keep In Touch
We’ll have a ton going on in the Speed Networking Lounge, but if there are tasks, activities and opportunities that you want to see in the space, let us know! We want you to connect in a way that is impactful and easy, and welcome your feedback.
- Sarah Clark, The University of Oklahoma
- Cathy Russell, The University of Arizona
- Cheryl Fulghum, Haywood Community College
- Rolando Mendez, Inter American University of Puerto Rico
The Speed Networking Lounge is Sponsored by
