Can you please give me some tips on what people wear/bring with them to survive the weather of CO and what is the expected dress for this conference?
Jeans and polos was the standard wear last year, at least for men. It can get hot and sunny during the day, and cold at night, and it will likely at least sprinkle for part of it, so layers are good. And good walking shoes are an absolute must. I was not sorry to bring sunglasses and a hat - there's a bit of distance between events and lodging so you likely will be outdoors for quite a bit of time (not to mention the communal meals were outdoors last year).
As it's high altitude, plan on plenty of sunscreen and water. And since you'll need water, backpacks are nice to carry it in. Early schwag last year was a backpack, but I don't know if that'll happen this year too. And on that note...try to leave a little extra room in your luggage - there's always stuff they give away that you'll want to bring home with you...
This is a casual event, so anything really goes - from shorts and tshirts to khakis and polos. Wear what's comfortable and makes you feel good. 🙂
During the day it will be warm so I'm planning on shorts or skirt and short sleeve shirt. Afternoon it normally rains, so umbrellas and possibly light rain jacket. Evening gets cool so jeans, long sleeves, and a light jacket. Go for comfortable shoes and yes to sunscreen, sunglasses, and water!
And definitely leave room in your bag for swag!!
You're getting good advice from some seasoned veterans, @jsowalsk ! I hope you'll take a moment to read my blog post https://community.canvaslms.com/message/60788-instcon2017-prep-calling-all-flatlanders?sr=search&searchId=a186d7ae-f3a5-4575-96f9-28c260f7fd68&searchIndex=0.
@jsowalsk as you have seen already, casual is where it's at, and only misinformed vendors dress as business men and women. As an agent on a mission, you will want to blend is as much as possible.
One of my best stories from last year was riding the shuttle up from breakfast with a very dissatisfied camper. Breakfast that day was held in an open field, and it was sprinkling that morning. All the way back to the main conference center she blasted Instructure in a very disparaging manner (ok, she screamed and swore like an old fisherman, and I know because I was one in a past life). When I looked at her (read "glared"), I noted that she was dressed to the nines like she was attending a Blackboard Conference in a high-rise convention center in a major city where the only traveling was up and down an elevator; and this despite the well advertised theme of "Camp Canvas". I mean she even had on platform heels, and they weren't looking so good at that point in time!
Oh yeah, and don't forget the shades to help maintain the anonymity of your cover.
Agent K
I'm not too sure how accurate this is a month out, but I'd guess its a ballpark? Keystone July Weather 2017 - AccuWeather Forecast for CO 80435
If this is Hot, I will TAKE it! I emailed Keystone Resort and asked if Long boards were allowed on premises, and they said they were. So, you've got a lot of options in your clothing AND transport it seems. :smileycool:
Watch the highlight reel from last year and you'll get a feel for what folks were wearing for the weather. My backpack always had a small umbrella and or my frog toggs rain jacket. As mentioned in another post, there is sometimes an email that comes out ahead of time with suggested theme attire for evening activities.
I would like to add one more little tidbit concerning InstCon dress requirements, and for me it is a requirement!
My top always includes a past InstCon T-shirt, and if necessary, I always cover with a past Instcon jacket. I have 24 different InsCon Ts (more total because I am lucky enough to have some duplicates), and my biggest packing chore is deciding which ones to bring. I almost always choose a half-dozen or more of my oldest (I only wear them at InstCons and our state CanvasCon, so they are almost pristine). If I am housed onsite, I tend to bring double that number, and change out sometime during the day, like before an evening reception. I typically just bring two jackets, a snap-up hooded sweaty from 2 years ago (I think) that I just love, and a lighter hoodless zip up grey fleece from 2012 that is definitely my fave and I wear it all the time, even at home (getting a tad bit ratty). To project my old bald head from that high-altitude sun, I also bring a Canvas Baseball cap, and toss on a pair of Canvas sunglasses to finish the ensemble.
Yes, I am a one-man marketing team! What would be really cool is if the swag included a pair of roller skates, then my friend @Robbie_Grant could rock his pride!
Definitely comfort and casual! Especially with shoes. Leave the heels at home. As @striglej mentioned, watching the highlight reels from previous conferences will be super helpful (and fun anyways!). I would like to add to make sure you don't bother with the really nice shoulder leather laptop bag. Your shoulder and back will scream the first day. Backpacks are super comfy and completely the norm (we were even lucky enough to get new backpacks as swag last year!). Then it was really fun at DEN security seeing the sea of orange Camp Canvas backpacks on Friday. LOL And bring a small compact umbrella or rain jacket to store in your bag for the daily pop-up showers!
hahaha! The latest email update on evening activities might affect my packing list!
On the topic of the black tie event, how black tie are we really getting? A girl has to know. And is this an indoor or outdoor activity? Asking for all the ladies who are debating dresses and heels
I have to admit I was already on the fence trying to determine what to pack and that last email has thrown a wrench in my plans! I take the invite as tongue in cheek, but from reading responses here, I am unsure! The idea of black-tie as costume, vs black-tie, vs just normal wear....Veteran InstaCon attendees, share your insight!
What a great thread this is and a really practical question. I overdressed last year and really regretted it (in fact went hurrying to the local store to buy shorts!) I too have 'T's from last year which will get brought out as well as the London Canvascon one.
If I'd thought about it, it's in the mountains! Suits just wouldn't work!
This one may though - Bond is a three ringer Royal Navy after all!
I have Instructurecon envy already Jessica
Have a blast and learn lots for the rest of us.
It sounds like some people have been receiving email from InstructureCon on what to wear for certain events, and other important info. I have not received a single email (probably because my boss signed up our group, and if she is getting them, they might be in her spam since she doesn't check). I am really curious as to what I have been missing. I have sent an email to InstructureCon help (and I emailed Kona). If anyone can share anything here too, that would be great.
Thanks,
Susan
Can someone please pass on the email about the events/dress?
For anyone that's interested I copied the full text of the email with extra information about the nightly parties and added it here - https://community.canvaslms.com/message/75311-instcon-party-propaganda
I have to say, I am a Texas girl and I was FREEZING for much of the conference last year! This year I plan to bring layers because even indoors, during the day I found it to be pretty chilly. But coming from the heat and humidity I am used to, mid-day, outside in Keystone was pretty chilly, as well. Evenings was under armour and hoodie weather for my crew! I don't mean to scare anyone but if you are wimpy like me, you may want to add one or two really warm articles of clothing just in case!
I'm from Puget Sound and before that Alaska, and we turn into a nudist colony at 65 degrees. The only protection I found I needed last year was a hoodie for those drizzles they call rain that pop in every afternoon. Luckily, I have some nice ones from past InstCons.
One cool thing about those afternoon showers - wow, did we have an awesome lightening and thunder show one of those days! The management tried to chase us off the balcony, but it was just too cool to leave.
Great thread! I have one day left to pack before we fly out and I am still very torn about what to wear for the 'black tie' evening. In the UK, I'd be getting the floor-length ball gown out (even though I never usually wear dresses haha) but I feel I may be overdressed if I do that here. I feel this is an easy theme for men but what are my fellow women planning to wear? Newbie here, so all and any advice welcomed. Don't want to regret my clothing choices nearly 5,000 miles away from home haha
Last year I brought several extra coats and jackets because I knew some people wouldn't get the word about the weather and show up without what they needed. I remember I had at least one taker. If you see anyone shivering please give them my contact info. 360.747.7211 or scottd@instructure.
