SESUG 2009 is Just Around the Corner!

We hope you're as excited as we are about the conference!

Hang on to this email, as it is loaded with useful information. Check out the newly-released Schedule at a Glance. It's a great tool to help you plan your agenda for SESUG!

Weather

The hotel maintains a 5-day local forecast page. Click here as conference time nears to see the current forecast.

Airport Shuttle

The Sheraton Birmingham Hotel provides a courtesy shuttle to and from the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport between 6 am and 11 pm. Look for the special shuttle phones near baggage claim to let the Sheraton know you are there. The vans are blue and gray with the Sheraton logo on the side. Wait for the van on the sidewalk outside baggage claim.

Driving to SESUG

Driving directions are available on the Sheraton website as well as on the SESUG website. There are a number of parking lots in the area, but the one at the corner of 9th and 23rd is connected to the hotel by a skywalk. The lot appears as the lower right deck marked in blue on this map from the BJCC.

Internet Access

Free wired internet access is available in your hotel room. The Sheraton has a kiosk-style internet cafe with wired and wireless access to the right of the lower lobby hotel registration area. Wireless access is available in the upstairs lobby area of the hotel as well. In the BJCC, the conference has purchased a limited number of wireless access accounts. Please be prepared to share these by learning how to disconnect from a wireless connection, thus making it available for someone else to use. Login instructions will be available in the Collaboration Cafe.

Opening Session

The Birmingham Ballroom can be found by following the hallway to the right from the lower lobby hotel registration area. The Opening Session begins at 6 pm Sunday, and will be followed by a buffet dinner and music provided by SESUG's very own Birmingham local, Mark Litaker.

Location for All Other Conference Activities

Other than the Sunday evening activities, all other SESUG events will occur in the BJCC. A skywalk from the upstairs Sheraton lobby leads across to the BJCC. We will be in the 3rd Floor East Meeting Room area, so go up the escalator or the elevator. Signs will direct you!

Registration

Registration will be open from 12:30 until 5:30 on Sunday, and will reopen Monday morning at 7:30 am. Hours will be posted at the Registration Desk.

SAS Demo Room

For the first time, SAS is opening the Demo Room on Sunday afternoon from 3:30 - 5:30! Don't miss the opportunity to visit outside of regular session hours!

First SESUG?

Andy Kuligowski will tell you all about what's in store Sunday at 3:30 in room L.

Code Clinic

Bring your problematic SAS code (including log so we can view messages) to SESUG's first Code Clinic in the SAS Demo area. Sign up on-site to get a cure from the Code Doctors! Clinic opens Monday; sign-up sheets available Sunday.

Conference Shirts

This year, you'll have to make two decisions about your shirt: size and style! We have both executive and casual versions. The executive version has the SESUG logo discreetly embroidered on the front. The casual version is screen-printed, with the discreet logo on the front, and a large logo on the back. Supplies are roughly half and half between the two versions. Both are quite nice; if the choice really matters to you, pick up your registration materials early!

Volunteer

SESUG is an all-volunteer organization, and we need your help to keep the conference running smoothly! If you have not already volunteered, please do so! In addition to assistance during the conference sessions, we need helpers for the Silent Auction and games Monday evening. The Volunteer and Session Coordinator meeting is Sunday at 4:30 in the Collaboration Cafe.

Silent Auction

SESUG will be using the proceeds of the Silent Auction to benefit Donors Choose for schools in the host city of Birmingham. Items in the auction are donated by conference participants. If you have something to donate, please contact our Auctioneer

Collaborative Games

In addition to the usual Monday night dance, we're also having Collaborative Games. You'll find a scoresheet in your registration bag. The winner will receive a free registration to SESUG 2010 in Savannah! You win not by competing, but by collaborating with other conference attendees. Extra points will be given to volunteers and to auction participants.

SEE YOU THERE!!!

Carol Martell and Bob Bolen

SESUG2009 Conference Chairs