So Excited: The MACUL Conference is This Week!

The annual MACUL Conference will be held in Detroit, MI on March 18-20. The MACUL leadership team has been busy all year planning and preparing for this event. So far, there are already over 4,800 people registered to attend, so it's looking to be the biggest and best yet!

The conference will be held at the newly remodeled Cobo Center in downtown Detroit. I have not yet seen it, but I've heard that the changes will wow us all.

Some of the highlights of this year's conference include:

• New conference app: Get it from the Apple App Store, the Android Play Store, or access it on the web. View the conference sessions and plan your schedule, access maps of Cobo, and connect with others on social media right from the app. 
• New interactive session styles will be offered this year. See the descriptions for each style on page 14 of the conference brochure.
• Share photos you take while at the conference with others by posting to Twitter or Instagram with #macul15.
• Stop by the Advocacy Booth in the MACUL Zone to explain in one or two minutes how technology makes a difference to you and your students for a chance to win an Amazon gift card! Drawings will take place every hour. See story starters here. 
• New this year: Maker Space! This will be held on Friday from 9am-2pm in the Atwater Lounge. Come find out why the maker movement is gaining popularity in classrooms across the country. 
• Student Technology Showcase: Students and teachers share their projects from 11am-1pm on Thursday in the Grand River Ballroom Prefunction.
• Join in on a discussion about improving Detroit's schools at Michigan Radio's "Issues and Ale" event at the Detroit Beer Company. This will take place on Wednesday between 6 and 7:30pm. It is free. Arrive early for a good seat. 
• Spark sessions are 20 minute mini sessions on a variety of topics.  They will be held in room 140A.
• Lightning Talks: This high energy event takes place on Friday from 1:00-2:00pm in Grand Ballroom B.  Presenters share stories or passions that are designed to inspire others. Each presenter speaks for 5 minutes with 20 slides on screen for 15 seconds each. The list of speakers looks fabulous!  
• There is a new format for the MACUL Party this year. It will be a networking event right at COBO (in the Atrium) on Thursday from 5:30-7:30pm. Stop by to mingle and network with the featured speakers and MACUL attendees. There will be light hors d'eourves and a cash bar. After the party, there will be time to either relax or head out for some Detroit city nightlife. The People Mover will help you get to where you want to go.
• 17 of my Walled Lake Consolidated School District colleagues will be presenters this year!