On Tuesday, February 7, 2012 5:00pm to 6:00pm (eastern) and Wednesday, February 29, 2012 4:30pm to 5:30pm (eastern), we encourage you to register for the First Time Attendee Question Hour, an informative, engaging webinar exclusively for First Time Attendees to the 2012 NASPA Annual Conference! Mark your calendars now!

Learn what to expect at the conference in Phoenix from NASPA professional staff and volunteers. Registration is free! Come prepared to ask questions and gain useful tips.

• Tuesday, February 7, 2012 5:00pm to 6:00pm (eastern): 
           Register here!
• Wednesday, February 29, 2012 4:30pm to 5:30pm (eastern): 
           Register here!

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• Tips of the Trade 

Various NASPA leaders, both past and present, were asked to share what tips they would give a first-time NASPA Annual Conference. This is what they had to say...

• Make sure to go through the online conference schedule prior to attending the conference and try and plan out some of the sessions and meetings you would like to attend using the itinerary builder. This will save you a lot of time in the long run.
  
  
• Consider volunteering at the conference, this is a great way to start networking and meeting others.
  
  
• Make sure to attend the First Time Attendee Orientation, Sunday, March 11th from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. in Sheraton Valley of the Sun (C).
  
  
• If you are new to NASPA, make sure to go to the session that is made just for you, Navigating NASPA: An "Insider's Guide" to the Associationon Monday, March 12th at 4:00 p.m. in Convention Center 124B. This is a session that will give you tons of insider tips and resources from people who know!
  
  
• Find the Region you belong to and attend both the Region Business Meeting and Reception.
  
  
• Feel free to visit the receptions that are put on by universities, especially if they are places you might wish to work in the future.
  
  
• Make sure to get connected with knowledge communities prior to the conference, as they will be sharing many important and fun events to consider attending. These are great ways to meet people with similar interests to your own.
  
  
• Attend the NASPA Communities Fair on Monday, March 12th from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in Sheraton Phoenix (A-C).At the Fair, you can learn more about KCs and other NASPA entities, challenge a fellow conference attendee to some Wii, grab a bite to eat, and enter a raffle to win a free 2013 NASPA Annual Conference registration!
  
  
• If you really want to know some of the inner-workings of NASPA, make sure to attend the annual NASPA Business meeting on Tuesday, March 13th from 4:45 - 5:45 p.m. in Convention Center 125. This is where many important decisions are made and where the voting delegates will come together to vote on these issues. This also will be where Chair of the Board Elect Levester Johnson from Butler university will take his role, as well as saying farewell to Executive Director Gwen Dungy. 
  
  
• There are many ways to save money while attending a conference as there are many meetings and sessions that provide food. Keep this in mind as you are planning out your conference experience!
  
  
• Don't forget to build time into your schedule for breaks!
  
  
• Regarding dress, business casual is about right. Wear comfortable shoes! Bring snacks, a water bottle, and lots of business cards.
  
  
• Don't be afraid to make new connections. Set a goal to walk away from the 2012 NASPA Annual Conference with a minimum of 10 new contacts! Don't just collect them, but reach out to them afterwards. Have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.
  
  
• NASPA is a very friendly organization. Step in and start introducing yourself to people!
  
  
• Vary your sessions. Go to some that are directly related to your current work or research interest, but be sure to also go to some that are on topics completely new to you.
  
  
• Be fearless in making new contacts at all levels of the profession and association. Bring lots of business cards to share.
  
  
• Be sure to stop by the Exhibit Hall. Lots of great freebies, snacks, art exhibits, and chances to chat.
  
  
• Don't miss the NASPA Foundation Silent Auction!
  
  
• Keep your eyes open for opportunities to get more involved in NASPA in the future through Knowledge Communities, volunteer opportunities, program presentations, etc. All of us together are NASPA, and your active involvement will help assure that NASPA remains the vital and vibrant premier student affairs professional association.
  
  
• Take good notes in the sessions.
  
  
• Make time to explore the host city, Phoenix.
  
  
• If there's a mentor program or an opportunity to have lunch with a mentor, take advantage of it!
  
  
• You may go home with a load of new business cards -  if you collect someone's business card at the conference, a good practice would be to write on the back of their business card how you came to know that person and/or context.  This makes it easier to organize your collection or respond to that person for when you get back home.