NACIS 2011 Conference - October 12-14 - Mapgeeks unite!
posted August 16, 2011 10:53 AM RSS | iCal | +googleCal
Wed October 12 at 5:00 PM, The Madison Concourse Hotel
1 W Dayton St, Madison, WI, USA (Map & Directions)
This will be my first time attending and I'd love to get to know Mefi's geo community in person. The preliminary program (PDF) they've put out looks kind of packed, so I'm open to times and places.
Student rate is $80 (with meals included!). I'd talk to someone in your Geo department - they might cover the entire thing. I attended the APA conference basically for free a few years ago through the urban planning department at UWM. I had to write an essay about why I wanted to go or something. Anyway, check with your dean, it will depend on your department's budget.
posted by desjardins at 11:23 AM on August 24, 2011
posted by desjardins at 11:23 AM on August 24, 2011
I sent out an email to my geography department,but I haven't heard back yet. I'm going to delay registering for the conference until after classes start. I shouldn't have any issue attending Thursday and Friday, I've already found several sessions I'd like to attend.
posted by graxe at 3:31 PM on August 30, 2011
posted by graxe at 3:31 PM on August 30, 2011
I'll be there and would love to meet up! I don't have any travel plans yet but may not be staying over on Friday night, so a Wednesday or Thursday night activity is probably best. I'm leaning toward Wednesday, though, since there's some kind of NACIS night out on Thursday.
posted by betafilter at 2:01 PM on September 11, 2011
posted by betafilter at 2:01 PM on September 11, 2011
Wednesday is a bit tough for me as I have classes until 5pm. Its then about an hour drive for me to Madison, as such I wasn't planning on going then. I might be able to swing something though, since that is my Human Geography course on Wednesday afternoon and it doesn't have an exam that week.
As always, knowing the right people is key! I found the correct professor to contact and have been informed that there is some sort of student carpool group attending from Whitewater. However, it doesn't look like there is any student aid being offered specifically for the conference, so I will just have to grumble about being a poor student and pay for myself.
posted by graxe at 6:25 AM on September 12, 2011
As always, knowing the right people is key! I found the correct professor to contact and have been informed that there is some sort of student carpool group attending from Whitewater. However, it doesn't look like there is any student aid being offered specifically for the conference, so I will just have to grumble about being a poor student and pay for myself.
posted by graxe at 6:25 AM on September 12, 2011
It looks like the only time to breathe on Wednesday is between 5 and 6:30 pm; after that is the keynote address.
graxe: Surely a geography professor, of all people, would understand your desire to skip class?
posted by desjardins at 7:09 AM on September 16, 2011
graxe: Surely a geography professor, of all people, would understand your desire to skip class?
posted by desjardins at 7:09 AM on September 16, 2011
Okay, travel plans made! I'll be arriving on Tuesday, spending all day Wednesday with the map librarians, then following the usual conference schedule until the banquet on Friday. I'll be leaving Madison overnight between Friday and Saturday.
Wednesday at five is good for me. I'm sure we could all meet up during/after the poster session that night too.
posted by betafilter at 6:08 PM on September 19, 2011
Wednesday at five is good for me. I'm sure we could all meet up during/after the poster session that night too.
posted by betafilter at 6:08 PM on September 19, 2011
Wednesday at 5 pm it is. I put the hotel as a starting point - do you feel like dinner? coffee? drinks? There will be plenty of options in such a dense area.
posted by desjardins at 9:43 AM on September 23, 2011
posted by desjardins at 9:43 AM on September 23, 2011
I'm around and up for meeting; I'm sure the boy would be as well. We no longer live right off the square, but we're happy to meet up anywhere.
posted by Madamina at 9:44 AM on September 26, 2011
posted by Madamina at 9:44 AM on September 26, 2011
Hi folks, I ended up considering how much time and money I should put into this. In the end, I decided that I should just register for the keynote address. If there isn't a meetup until 5pm on Wednesday, I can still attend class as I switched the time around. I've only driven into Madison once before and not from where I currently live, but it looks like a straightforward drive up 18.
posted by graxe at 8:51 AM on September 27, 2011
posted by graxe at 8:51 AM on September 27, 2011
What do you all think about grabbing dinner, then? Madamina, since you're the only Madisonian in this thread, perhaps you can recommend a place near the square? I'll pretty much eat anything, but pizza might work well (not too expensive, and who doesn't like pizza?)
posted by desjardins at 9:00 AM on September 28, 2011
posted by desjardins at 9:00 AM on September 28, 2011
Gosh. The funny thing is that I don't know of any real pizza places near the square. Except for Ian's, of course, but that isn't really set up for conviviality.
With places near the square, it would be most helpful if we could get a reservation. So if we have some general numbers, that would be helpful.
Old Fashioned is always busy. Graze: similar, busy, but might work. Brocach: could also work. (These are all sort of pub places, but any decent Madison restaurant will have vegetarian options.)
If we're going at 5, the Old Fashioned might be okay. Otherwise, I just saw a good review for this new place called The Fountain that is across from Ian's on the first block of State St. Sounds similar to the Old Fashioned -- "old school" beers and local food -- and pretty promising.
Nick's, just on the other side of the Orpheum, is literally a VERY old-style place, but is great for hanging out.
I've heard that Francesca's, on MLK, is pretty good, and they seem to have a decent menu of appetizer/tapas-y stuff for munching.
posted by Madamina at 11:16 AM on September 28, 2011
With places near the square, it would be most helpful if we could get a reservation. So if we have some general numbers, that would be helpful.
Old Fashioned is always busy. Graze: similar, busy, but might work. Brocach: could also work. (These are all sort of pub places, but any decent Madison restaurant will have vegetarian options.)
If we're going at 5, the Old Fashioned might be okay. Otherwise, I just saw a good review for this new place called The Fountain that is across from Ian's on the first block of State St. Sounds similar to the Old Fashioned -- "old school" beers and local food -- and pretty promising.
Nick's, just on the other side of the Orpheum, is literally a VERY old-style place, but is great for hanging out.
I've heard that Francesca's, on MLK, is pretty good, and they seem to have a decent menu of appetizer/tapas-y stuff for munching.
posted by Madamina at 11:16 AM on September 28, 2011
I'm up for dinner on Wednesday, I'm not extraordinarily picky so the vast majority of things will work for me. I will probably get into Madison around 4:30pm since I will leave after class. I will probably try to go to Madison this Sunday for services with the UUs so that I know my way around.
Offhand, is there a location we could meet at prior to dinner and such? I honestly don't know anyone or how to identify anyone.
posted by graxe at 2:25 PM on September 28, 2011
Offhand, is there a location we could meet at prior to dinner and such? I honestly don't know anyone or how to identify anyone.
posted by graxe at 2:25 PM on September 28, 2011
Well, I'd assumed that conference attendees would be starting from the hotel, so I was thinking of meeting in the hotel lobby. I'll tell the desk clerk to direct people accordingly, so if you get there and can't pick us out or don't know if we've left yet, ask him or her. I'll also keep my Twitter updated; if you don't have it, let me know and I'll memail you my phone number so you can text/call (prefer texts).
so that I know my way around
Ha, good luck. I'm pretty good with navigation, but Madison flummoxes me sometimes. Something about having water all over the place, and streets that don't run N/S/E/W.
posted by desjardins at 7:59 AM on September 29, 2011
so that I know my way around
Ha, good luck. I'm pretty good with navigation, but Madison flummoxes me sometimes. Something about having water all over the place, and streets that don't run N/S/E/W.
posted by desjardins at 7:59 AM on September 29, 2011
I'm heading out for classes shortly. I'll head over to Madison after them. I look forward to meeting folks.
posted by graxe at 6:43 AM on October 12, 2011
posted by graxe at 6:43 AM on October 12, 2011
Hey, I'm here! See you guys later. I'm in a black/grey turtleneck sweater and black cords. Also, I'm Really Short.
posted by desjardins at 6:56 AM on October 12, 2011
posted by desjardins at 6:56 AM on October 12, 2011
You're not THAT short!
So what's the plan for today, then? Meet at the Concourse and then head up to wherever?
posted by Madamina at 7:44 AM on October 12, 2011
So what's the plan for today, then? Meet at the Concourse and then head up to wherever?
posted by Madamina at 7:44 AM on October 12, 2011
I'll be there as soon as my map library tour ends (4:30 at UW-Madison, so I'll be walking back via State St.). I'm wearing a purple-y top and a huge floral scarf. Excited!
posted by betafilter at 8:16 AM on October 12, 2011
posted by betafilter at 8:16 AM on October 12, 2011
yeah, let's meet in the hotel lobby and head out from there.
yes I am that short
posted by desjardins at 8:37 AM on October 12, 2011
yes I am that short
posted by desjardins at 8:37 AM on October 12, 2011
I should be there at the hotel lobby by 5pm. I'm not very inventive so I'm just in a grey tshirt and jeans. And I'm not short.
posted by graxe at 9:56 AM on October 12, 2011
posted by graxe at 9:56 AM on October 12, 2011
I just took a walk around the corner to State Street. There are a bunch of restaurants within the first block - the ones that look most promising to my eye are the Capital Tap Haus and Frida Mexican Grill.
I would have worn jeans if I'd known almost everyone else here was :/
posted by desjardins at 11:31 AM on October 12, 2011
I would have worn jeans if I'd known almost everyone else here was :/
posted by desjardins at 11:31 AM on October 12, 2011
Running late - graxe is going to meet me in the hall outside the capitol ballroom,we'll come down ot the lobby as soon as this presenter is done.
posted by desjardins at 2:53 PM on October 12, 2011
posted by desjardins at 2:53 PM on October 12, 2011
Successful meet-up at Capital Tap Haus! Thanks everyone for a great NACIS opening night!
posted by betafilter at 6:49 PM on October 12, 2011
posted by betafilter at 6:49 PM on October 12, 2011
I had a good time. I will have to take up Madamina and husband's offer of a Madison tour. The presentation by Patrick Hofmann was really great though, it really meshes with my interests.
posted by graxe at 7:20 PM on October 12, 2011
posted by graxe at 7:20 PM on October 12, 2011
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posted by graxe at 8:38 PM on August 23, 2011