We can hardly contain our excitement – tomorrow is the start of Super Conference 2018!
Super Conference can be super overwhelming. More than 5,000 delegates will attend the conference and Super EXPO over four days, and with more than 200 sessions, socials, award galas, and events happening, you may be scratching your head on how to tackle it all!
With that in mind, here are some key details that will prepare you for the conference. Please read carefully and if you have any questions, please reply directly to this email or give us a shout through social media.
ARRIVING ON TUESDAY?
Coming to Toronto on Tuesday? Take advantage of your time and grab your badge from the Registration Desk in Main Lobby of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre before the mad rush (open 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm). Then join your fellow early birds for a drink! Early Arrivals Welcome is on Tuesday, January 30 in ICTC Ontario/Niagara immediately follows the OLA AGM at 6 pm.
BADGE AND DELEGATE BAG
Received Your Badge Already? If you registered before Thursday, January 4 (the Early Bird Deadline), we mailed you your badge. Be sure to bring it with you. Your badge must be worn at all times. All you need to do is go to the Express Registration Desk and pick up your conference bag and onsite program.
Don’t Have Your Badge or Lost Your Badge? Please go to the Registration desk located in the main lobby of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre to pick up your badge, along with your delegate bag, Please bring a confirmation of your registration. Your badge must be worn at all times.
REGISTRATION DESK HOURS
Registration will be open:
Tuesday, January 30: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Wednesday, January 31: 7:30 am – 7:00 pm
Thursday, February 1: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
Friday, February 2: 7:30 am – 3:30 pm
Saturday, February 3: 7:45 am – 9:30 am *Registration moves to the InterContinental Hotel on Saturday
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE + PROGRAM
The conference schedule can be viewed on our website. You will also receive a print program in your delegate bag. We also have a conference app available on Apple iOS and Android.
Keep an eye out on your inbox: we’ll also send you important highlights each day of the conference.
HOW TO GET THERE
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC), North Building, is located at 255 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2W6. Some sessions will take place in the InterContinental Centre, next door and attached to the Convention Centre.
The MTCC is located two blocks west of Union Station, where GO Transit, VIA Rail, and TTC connect. To access the MTCC from Union, you can walk indoor via the SkyWalk or outside along Front Street.
MOBILE APP
OLA has a conference mobile app! Plan your agenda, connect with vendors, find your next session, provide session feedback, read the poster sessions and more. Compatible with Android and Apple iOS.
Each day during the conference we will send out a few helpful tips to remind you of exciting events and speakers. These are not vendor-related texts. These texts will be sent through the mobile app. Please ensure that you have allowed push notifications to be received on your app.
COFFEE
There are several options for your caffeine fix. A Starbucks is located east of the MTCC at Front and University. There is a Second Cup in the MTCC next to the Career Centre in Room MTCC 201B. There is a Tim Hortons across the street from the MTCC – you’ll see a sign that says “Food Court and Shops Entrance” and you simply walk down the stairs and you are in the PATH food court.
FOOD AND DRINK
There are a number of options for lunch and snacks around the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. There is a food court in the PATH across the street from the MTCC – you’ll see a sign that says “Food Court and Shops Entrance” and you simply walk down the stairs. We will also have local food guides available in the lobby at the OLA Info Booth.
WHAT TO WEAR
Wear what makes you feel comfortable and expresses your personality! It will be February and it can be chilly in the MTCC. We recommend that you dress in layers, and take advantage of our coat check if needed, located behind the Registration Desk.
TWEET, TWEET, TWEET
If you’re planning to tweet during or after the conference, please remember to use our hashtag #OLASC. This will allow your fellow tweeters to follow along in the conversation.
ACCESSIBILITY
The venue is fully accessible and we will be able to provide priority seating. If you have any questions or concerns, please ask one of our staff members or planners in the red vests. Barrier free washrooms can be found throughout the MTCC. Gender neutral bathrooms can be found on the EXPO floor. A new mother’s room is available in the washroom outside room MTCC 204.
WHAT TO DO AT THE CONFERENCE
What to Expect: Throughout the day you may attend sessions to learn and be inspired, attend social events to network with others, and attend the Super EXPO (Thursday and Friday only) to meet with more than 200 vendors, authors, and exhibitors. Connect with other delegates through the mobile app.
Sessions: We have more than 200 sessions at the conference, but a great starting point is our keynotes and divisional spotlights.
Non-Session Events: We also have lots of socials, like our bus and walking tours, Laughter Yoga, Morning Yoga, Super Film Fest, Ukulele Jam, and Games Night. And our big All Conference Welcome Party on Wednesday at 5:30 PM.
Onsite Store: Like swag, professional resources, and sassy socks? Visit our onsite Library Marketplace to purchase merchandise, books, and more!
Career Centre: Need some career or job resources? Visit the Career Centre in Room MTCC 201B. The Career Centre will be open Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 10:00 am — 2:00 pm.
Super EXPO: The Super EXPO is the exhibit floor of the Super Conference, located in Hall C up the escalators near the front entrance of the MTCC. It’s your chance to interact with all of the major vendors working in the library industry. There are special programming, author signings, swag, and more on the EXPO floor. It will be open for two days: Thursday, February 1: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Friday, February 2: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
Style Lounge: Need a new head shot? Stop by the Style Lounge in the Super EXPO. Open both Thursday and Friday on the EXPO floor, we’ll have professional hair, makeup and photographers onsite to give you a headshot that will make your selfie cower in shame. No appointments necessary, but first come first served. Sitting fee of $10 will go towards the I Read Canadian Fund.
Hidden Gems: We gathered some hidden gems of the conference – read more about our picks online.
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS
If you have any questions, please email us at superconference@accessola.com. Please note that beginning Tuesday, January 30, the OLA office will be closed as all OLA staff members will be onsite at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
If you have any questions onsite, please ask one of our volunteers in the blue vests and one of our planners/staff members in the red vests. You can also stop by the OLA Lobby, located in the main lobby of the MTCC, and pick up some fun swag!
We can’t wait to meet you at the conference!
For the latest conference updates, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Canada’s largest library conference, OLA Super Conference will be hosted at Metro Toronto Convention Centre from January 31 to February 3, 2018.