What to Expect
You will meet a dynamic cross-section of educators, psychologists, clinicians, researchers, and special education professionals from throughout the United States, Canada, and nearly two dozen other countries. We believe that you have much to contribute to -- and learn from -- each other, so we hope you will find the conference to be a vibrant, congenial atmosphere in which to meet, exchange ideas, establish contacts, and enjoy each others' company. The researchers presenting their findings are eager to explore and consider along with you the implications of the cutting-edge science of learning on education and teaching. We hope that this exchange will lead to creative and practical ideas for the critically important work you do with children and families.
You should feel free to attend your first choice concurrent sessions during the conference (the surveys you may have received were sent for planning purposes only.) Our only recommendation is that you select a track and stay with it for the whole concurrent period (broken up into A, B, C, and D) as the topics have been grouped together in an effot to give you the best understanding. Click here for our most up-to-date schedule, with descriptions of the sessions.
Please note that while we will be providing complimentary coffee during the afternoon break on Friday and during the morning breaks on Saturday and Sunday, all meals will be on your own. We recommend eating breakfast before you arrive and there are plenty of nearby options for lunch, including locations in the Westin Hotel, the Copley Place Mall, the Prudential Center (which has a food court), and along Boylston and Newbury Streets in Back Bay.
We would also like to point out that during large conferences, the hotel attempts to keep the temperature of the ballrooms between 68-70 degrees but is not always successful. If you know that you tend to run cold, especially while sitting for long stretches, please make sure to bring a sweater. If you know that you will be warm, please dress lightly. Wearing layers is always a safe choice.
Information Desk
You will be able to find answers to your questions and help with registration problems at the Learning & the Brain Help & Information Desk. This is where you can find direct representatives from Learning & the Brain, as opposed to hotel staff, temporary event staff, or volunteer helpers. The Help Desk will be located in the America Ballroom Foyer, on the Fourth Floor of the Westin throughout the conference. The Help Desk hours are from 7:15 AM - 6:00 PM on Friday, November 22, from 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM on Saturday, November 23, and from 7:30 AM - 3:15 PM on Sunday, November 24.
Professional Development Credit
If you would like professional development credit, please sign in when you arrive at the conference and sign out when you leave the conference. Speech-language pathologists will need to sign in and out each day. After the initial sign in, all additional ones can be done at the Help & Information Desk. SLPs will also need to pick up an ASHA Participant form at the Help Desk. At the end of the conference, we will need your credit evaluation form (found in your conference packet) in order to provide credit. Provided you complete the onsite requirements, credit certificates will be sent out 3-4 weeks after the conference via e-mail. If you have not received your credits by December 20, please call our office at 781-449-4010 x102. For more information on available credits, please check our website.
Conference Location
The conference is being held at the Westin Copley Place Hotel in Boston, MA (see directions below). Winner of the AAA Four Diamond Award® in the heart of trendy Back Bay, The Westin Copley Place, Boston is linked via skybridge to shopping at the Copley Mall and Prudential Building and is only a stroll away from Newbury Street. It can be entered from either Huntington Avenue or directly from the Copley Mall (with an entrance up an escalator on the corner of Dartmouth and Huntington Ave.).
Exhibitors
We will have several exhibitors at our conference located in the America Ballroom Foyer of the Westin Copley Place Hotel. The Inquiring Minds Bookstore accepts purchase orders.
Please read the accompanying information and keep it handy for further reference. We look forward to welcoming you in November.
