Your passport to exhibitionism (and prizes)

Under normal circumstances I would have said a “passport to exhibitionism” would likely come in a margarita glass.  But funnily enough this isn’t what Conference organisers had in mind when they came up with the ‘Exhibition Passport’ you’ll get as part of your registration pack.  So what manner of document is this passport and does it require posing for a horribly unflattering photo?  In short, no.

The idea is that you trot around checking out the wares of the various Exhibitors’ stands, collecting stamps for your “passport” as you go.  If you manage to get to around half of the stands (ie you get forty stamps) then you’ll go in the draw to win a prize donated by Conference sponsor, New Zealand Micrographic Services Ltd.

Once you’ve got your forty stamps, post your passport (don’t forget to write your name on it!) into one of the entry boxes in the exhibition area by 1.30pm on Wednesday.  The prize draw will take place at the closing ceremony at 3.30pm and you have to be there to collect your prize or you’ll miss out.  The prize in question is a 1TB LaCie Hard Disk.  That’s a terrabyte of memory folks!  And don’t feel bad if you don’t know how big that is, I had to ask too (1TB = 1000GB).

The National Library of New Zealand stand has prizey goodness on offer as well with Aotearoa People’s Network Kaharoa t-shirts to be won (green is the new black).  Expert advice will also be available in the form of staff from the People’s Network, Content Services, Digital Services, Te Puna and so on but not all at the same time so make sure to check the schedule for the best time to drop by.   Mysterious prizes will be available for some lucky souls who attend presentations (and there’s talk of a quiz) so be sure to include the National Library stand on your ‘itinerary’.

I hear-tell Cardquip is dangling a digital camera shaped carrot to tempt delegates towards their stand and the chances are good that other exhibitors will have prizes and competitions on offer so keep your eyes and ears open when you’re out and about collecting your passport stamps!

 

Vendors over lunch

Several vendors will be hosting 15 minutes presentations over each lunchtime – check the allocated times & spaces when you get to Conference. You will have a chance to come along to see and hear about their range of products and services, ask questions, see technology in action and find out what is on offer in the coming year. Make sure you set aside the time to find out about the buzz.

And don’t forget to make time when attending conference to peruse the vendors stands in the exhibition hall. You can talk with the vendors and ask questions. You could also swing by the stands of our major sponsors, Datacom and Te Puna Mātauranga : National Library of New Zealand, to say thanks for their sponsorship of such a great conference.

 

There’s plenty of other sponsors that have helped make this conference a reality, so be sure to show your appreciation and support by stopping by their stands, attending the sponsored sessions and showing up at various social events.