ATE Connects

The deadline to sign up for ATE Connects was September 20.
ATE Grantees will be notified of their session
and conversation hub assignments on
September 26. 

All ATE projects and centers, with the exception of first-time ATE awardees in FY23, are REQUIRED to participate in ATE Connects and to reserve a conversation hub by the deadline of September 20.  

ATE Connects is a key component of the conference and offers ATE projects and centers the opportunity to network and connect with conference participants, explore the ATE community, and engage in the sharing of information, resources, and materials related to their programs. ATE Connects consists of dedicated time for two networking and information sharing sessions on Thursday, October 26—and NSF requires participation as outlined in the ATE program solicitation.

The ATE Connects Sessions will take place in the exhibit hall—and each ATE project and center participating will be numbered and grouped according to discipline area as outlined below. ATE projects and centers are expected to staff their conversation hubs during their assigned session.

ATE Connects Session 1, Thursday, October 26
(Note: The disciplines featured for each session have been adjusted to meet space requirements. They are in final below.)

Agricultural and Environmental, Biological and Chemical, General Advanced Technological Education, Information and Security Technologies.

Set-Up Period:                                 8:00 a.m. — 8:30 a.m.
ATE Connects Session:              10:30 a.m. — 12:15 p.m.
Tear-Down Period:                      12:15 p.m. — 12:30 p.m.

ATE Connects Session 2: Thursday, October 26
(Note: The disciplines featured for each session have been adjusted to meet space requirements. They are in final below.)

Advanced Manufacturing, Applied Research in Technician Education, Engineering Technologies, and Micro and Nanotechnologies.

Set-Up Period:                                  3:00 p.m. — 3:30 p.m.
ATE Connects Session:               3:45 p.m. — 5:30 p.m.
Tear-Down Period:                       5:30 p.m. — 5:45 p.m.

ATE Connects Conversation Hubs
Each project and center that reserves space by the deadline of September 20 will be assigned to host a “conversation hub” and scheduled to participate in one of two ATE Connects sessions. A conversation hub includes a café-style table (30”x30”), two chairs, a poster stand that fits a 22”x28” poster or graphic, and two materials holders than can fit 8 ½ by 11 handouts.

ATE Connects Materials

Posters – Each ATE Connects conversation hub will include a sign display stand that fits a 22”x 28” poster or graphic. The 22”x28” display space is not intended for a scientific poster. The space can be used for ATE project or center logos, graphics, or text information that helps in sharing basic information about grant activities. There are no specific guidelines for content—though graphics and visuals tend to be more eye-catching and accessible than content that is extremely text heavy.

Poster Printing – Please note that there will be no poster printing capability on site at the conference. All ATE project and centers must employ one of the following two options for poster printing.

Print Your Own/Bring Your Own: ATE projects and centers can print their posters on poster paper prior to the ATE Conference and transport them to the event site. Posters must adhere to the size 22”x28” to fit into the sign holder. When designing your poster, allow for a ½” border as that portion will be covered by the sign holder frame. No other sized posters will be allowed.

Upload Your Poster for Printing/Placement on Site:  ATE projects and centers also have the option of uploading their poster for printing through AACC’s vendor, Arata Expositions. For a small fee, Arata will print the poster and have it placed in your sign holder for your ATE Connects session.

Poster Upload Deadline: Print-ready artwork needs to be submitted by no later than October 6. For a print/spec template, please click here.

Cost: The cost for Arata Expositions to print a poster is $86.25.

Process:  Once AACC has assigned you to an ATE Connects session, we will send a confirmation email that includes information and a link with full instructions for uploading a print ready file and making payment for poster printing through Arata’s portal.

Handouts – Each poster/sign holder has two materials holders that can fit handouts of up to 8 ½ x 11 in size. ATE projects and centers are invited and encouraged to bring brochures or handouts to place in these holders as part of their conversation hub. Projects/centers are responsible for making and bringing copies of their own materials to share—or shipping handouts/materials ahead of time through AACC’s event partner, Arata Expositions. AACC suggests quantities of up to 50 copies for each handout.

If shipping handouts/materials ahead of time, please see Arata’s ATE Connects kit. A box of materials of up to 50 pounds can be sent to Arata’s warehouse for receipt by Monday, October 23 for a flat rate of $150. The rate includes shipping, storage, handling, and placement by Arata of your materials/handouts at your assigned ATE Connects conversation hub on site.

Arata Expositions – Arata is AACC’s event partner for the ATE Connects sessions. Once your ATE Connects space has been assigned, Arata will email you with a portal link and password if you would like to use their services for poster printing and/or for shipping materials/handouts in advance of the conference. Information on Arata’s services can be found here. Detailed information will also be emailed as your ATE Connects space is assigned.

Audio Visual – There will be no access to electricity or audiovisual equipment provided for these sessions. ATE Connects is designed to facilitate conversations and connections. All participating projects and centers have access to the same-size conversation hubs and will be grouped according to discipline area to help conference attendees in making connections and finding like projects and centers.

Reserving Space – To reserve space for ATE Connects, projects and centers must do so by the deadline of September 20. To sign-up, click here.

General Guidelines for Accessibility of Materials
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a method that promotes making instruction welcoming, accessible, and inclusive to all learning styles and abilities. As part of AACC’s efforts to make the ATE Conference program accessible, we are providing some simple tips and links to resources regarding the preparation of your ATE Connects submission. To access accessibility tips and resources, click here.

Questions 

Contact ate@aacc.nche.edu with any questions.