Tips for Navigating the RBMS Conference

The Membership and Professional Development Committee is delighted to extend a special welcome to new members attending the upcoming 2017 RBMS Conference, “The Stories We Tell,” held in Iowa City, Iowa, June 20-23.

We realize that it can be overwhelming to attend your first RBMS conference. In addition to participating in the M&PD new member activities, we offer the following suggestions, based on the past experiences of M&PD Committee members:

M&PD Committee volunteers will be wearing special buttons encouraging you to ask questions. Please take advantage of this opportunity for guidance and assistance!
Social media can be a great tool for navigating the RBMS Conference.
- Facebook: check out the Rare Books and Manuscripts Section (RBMS) Facebook page for updates on conference planning and events (depending on the page administration, you may have to “like” or “follow” the page).
- RBMS electronic discussion list. Official business and information about the section.
- Twitter: Follow @RBMSinfo for conference information, as well as the hashtag #rbms17. In fact, people are already tweeting about it. Watching the Twitter feed is helpful for planning and is also great while you are at the conference. Many participants live-tweet the sessions they are watching, so it’s often a nice way to keep up with sessions that you can’t attend. Additionally, participants also tweet about informal meetups and social events, so keep your eye on the hashtag!
Try out a variety of programming formats, which, this year, will include:
- Panels: Small sessions based on the conference theme where a few presenters share their experience, ideas, or research.
- Participant-Driven Sessions: Semi-formal groups convening around a topic of interest for discussion and debate. May require advanced sign up.
- Plenaries:This is the time during the Preconference when all participants attend the same session, with speakers sharing innovative ideas and summaries of best practices.
- Posters: One-on-one visual presentations of research, experience, or ideas, where you can ask questions and discuss the topic with the presenter.
- Seminars: Small sessions featuring a few presenters; characterized by having an instructional component. Topics are not required to match the conference theme.
- Workshops: Full- and half-day-long sessions on specialized topics that occur the day of the opening reception (Tuesday, 6/20). Requires advanced sign-up and additional costs.
Take time out from attending sessions to get to know Iowa City. The conference blog and vade mecum offer plenty of information on local sites. Find a small group and take yourselves on a refreshing walking tour in this charming college town.
Sign up for restaurant night! Restaurant night is like the New Member Lunch Meet-Up but geared toward all the membership. It’s a great way to learn more about people whom you might not otherwise have the chance to meet.
Do not be afraid to talk to more established attendees or members. Most people are very willing to get to know someone new and are happy to answer any questions.
Attend a session or two on an unfamiliar topic. The new perspective could inform your work in surprising ways!