[Air-L] Call for MEA Convention Hosts

[Janet Sternberg]

CALL FOR HOSTS
MEDIA ECOLOGY ASSOCIATION (MEA)
ANNUAL CONVENTION
http://www.media-ecology.org

Invitation to Apply

The Media Ecology Association (MEA) invites applications from
institutional sites around the world willing to host the Association’s
annual convention. Currently the MEA is seeking sites to host the Annual
Convention for 2011 and beyond.

The convention, during which approximately 150-200 members gather, is
held each June. Typically the convention runs three full days, from
Thursday morning to Sunday morning. The choice of weekend is generally
left to the discretion of the host. (See the list of past convention
sites below.)

All proposals will be evaluated by the MEA Board of Directors. Board
members are also available via email to answer questions. All proposals
should be submitted via email to: Sheila J. Nayar, at
snayar at greensborocollege.edu.

Deadlines for Applying

First preference for 2011 sites will be given to proposals received by
December 15, 2009. However, all applications will be considered until a
suitable site is found.

Applicants interested in hosting for 2012 and beyond are encouraged to
attend the 2010 MEA Convention (University of Maine, Orono, June 10-13),
during which there will be ample opportunity to meet with members of the
MEA Board of Directors.

Guidelines for Applying

In order to ease the application process, we offer some guidelines
below. (We also urge applicants to read the MEA convention planning
manual before writing up their proposal. The manual is available through
the MEA website. There is no length requirement, but please do make
proposals as comprehensive as possible. If additional information or
clarification is needed, the MEA Board of Directors may contact you
directly.

Site Specifics

1. Do you have a specific year in mind for hosting the convention? What
dates in June do you propose? Describe the specific site – i.e., city,
educational institution, various buildings in which the convention would
be held.
2. What is your site’s capacity? What rooms are available (e.g.,
classrooms for breakout sessions, meeting halls, exhibition space) and
what are their capacities? What technological support is available
(e.g., Internet, projectors)?
3. What is your location’s accessibility? Is it convenient for those
traveling from points around the country and world?
4. Though it is not a requirement for hosting, can on-campus housing
(e.g., dorm rooms, university-affiliated residences) be provided? If so,
for how many and at what cost? Are nearby hotels available for members
who wish to remain off campus? If so, can those hotels offer discounts
to members? Can special deals with hotels be arranged?
5. Though it is not a requirement for hosting, can on-campus dining be
provided? Can you provide complimentary beverages during the course of
the day (e.g., coffee, water)? Can you provide complimentary breakfast?
What are the potentials for your hosting/sponsoring receptions, lunches,
and dinners?
6. Though it is not a requirement for hosting, are there special tours
that can be offered and/or attractions that attendees might like to
visit? Are there locations at which dinners/receptions might be held?
What social events do you envision?

Support, Funding, and Affordability

1. What kind and what level of financial support will your site provide?
Are there commitments for funds for the conference? If so, are these
commitments firm?
2. Are there opportunities for partnerships and sponsorships that your
site can uniquely provide?
3. If possible, please provide a simple business plan that lays out
estimated incoming and outgoing monies.

Hosting Specifics

1. Do you have someone in mind, either from the hosting location or from
another location, who can serve as Convention Coordinator? (The MEA
typically pairs up a local coordinator with a co-coordinator from the
Board.)
2. Are there any exceptions to the MEA Convention Planning Manual’s
guidelines that need to be taken into account, in order for you to be
able to host the convention in the way you would like?
3. Do you envision a particular theme for the convention? (A theme is
optional, but if you wish to have one, your theme must be approved by
the MEA.) Do you have any plenary speakers or particular sessions in
mind? (Please note that some plenary events are determined by the Board,
and all others are determined in consultation with the Board.)
4. Are there any special ways that your institution furthers the
interdisciplinary and/or international nature of the Media Ecology
Association?

If you have not organized a conference before, think carefully about
your organizational network and distribution of labor, as well as about
contingency plans in the case of changes in people or funding arrangements.

Past MEA Convention Sites

1st Annual Convention, Fordham University, New York, New York, June
16–17, 2000
2nd Annual Convention, New York University, New York, New York, June
15–16, 2001
3rd Annual Convention, Marymount Manhattan College, New York, New York,
June 21–23, 2002
4th Annual Convention, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, June
5–8, 2003
5th Annual Convention, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New
York, June 10–13, 2004
6th Annual Convention, Fordham University, New York, New York, June
22–26, 2005
7th Annual Convention, Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts, June 8–11,
2006
8th Annual Convention, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Estado de México, June
6–10, 2007
9th Annual Convention, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, California,
June 19–22, 2008
10th Annual Convention, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri,
June 18–21, 2009
11th Annual Convention, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, June 10-13, 2010

Revised 11/12/09
http://www.media-ecology.org