Conference Navigator Program

AILA Annual Conference Navigator Program

for New Members and First-time Attendees

• Will AC21 be your first Annual Conference?
• Are you overwhelmed by the multiple tracks and numerous sessions?
• Would you like help navigating your first Annual Conference?
• Do you have little to no involvement in AILA activities on the national or chapter level?
• Do you wish to get to know other members of your community?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, AILA’s Membership Engagement Committee has developed an Annual Conference “Navigator” program to help you get the most out of your first Annual Conference!

The Need for a “Conference Navigator” Program

Beyond earning CLE and learning new approaches and best practices, a huge benefit of attending the Annual Conference is the opportunity to connect with other members, expanding your network on the chapter and national level.

Because the Annual Conference is so large, we realize that first-time attendees may have difficulty, especially in the virtual environment, meeting and connecting with other attendees. This is where the “Conference Navigator” program comes in!

What Is the Annual Conference Navigator Program?

The Annual Conference Navigator Program is designed to help first-time attendees, particularly new AILA members, navigate the Annual Conference while getting to know a group of similar attendees, both from his/her local chapter and other chapters, as well as a few AILA members who are actively involved in the organization.

Attendees who sign up for the navigator program will be broken up into groups of 10 to 15* attendees (depending on the number of people who sign up). Each group will be assigned a “Navigator” who will:

• Reach out to the group before the conference to introduce themselves and advise of scheduled times to meet virtually during the Annual Conference,
• Facilitate the exchange of contact information among the group of first-time member attendees,
• Organize an informal get-together during a break
• Offer advice on which sessions may be the most beneficial for first-time member attendees

Benefits of the Conference Navigator Program

At the end of the conference each member of a group:

• Will Personally Know 10 or More Members with Similar Interests
• Will Personally Know an AILA Member Who Is Already Actively Involved in AILA, and
• To the Extent a BOG Member Is Able to Meet with the Group before or during the Conference, Will Personally Know Someone in AILA Leadership.

Participate in the Conference Navigator Program

Signing up for the Navigator Program is as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Register for the 2021 Annual Conference.
2. Submit the Conference Navigator Program Sign Up Form by May 24, 2021.
3. Get ready for AC21! You will be hearing from AILA National confirming your participation the week before the conference.

We are looking forward to this inaugural year of the Navigator Program and enhancing the Annual Conference experience for first-time member attendees and showing off the collegial attitude of our AILA community!

*Final group number will depend on the number of navigators who participate and the number of first-time member attendees who sign up.