Is this your first InstCon? Here are some tips from the OGs!

I don't know about you, but I CANNOT wait to get back to an in-person InstructureCon and see my people!! And there are so many new users since 2019, so I think it's only fair to give you some tips on how to plan and what to expect from my friends.

I'll get us started:

Say hello to everyone! Strike up a conversation!
Come hang out in the Community booth! It's the place to meet everyone.
Hack Night. They provide the hackers. You provide the ideas. Brilliant!
Log in to your Agenda and save your favorite sessions for some amazing learning!
Unconference! The perfect way to end the conference!
Traveling solo? Use #solopanda to meetup for a meal, hang out, go explore.

Find more posts tagged with

INSTCON

Accepted answers

All comments

andrea_earl

Thanks for the tips. I’m so excited to attend my 1st in-person InstCon but I’ll be a #solopanda - so let’s connect.

BethCrook

I'll be a #solopanda too! Have been since 2015 🥰

MAJ18

This will be my first time not a #solopanda since 2014 in Park City! I have three others coming to the conference. I can't wait for them to experience the best ed-tech conference in the world!!

ShellyRuff

My first InstCon too!! Can't wait for all the fun, and to meet so many amazing Advocates and customers!

jessica_gutierr

This is my first InstaCon too! This is the week of New Teacher orientation for our district so I will be #solopanda! Seems like quite a few of us solopanda's

Chris

How about a hashtag for those of us traveling with only one other colleague? I'll throw myself out here as a #duopanda this year! I've been to every InsrtuctureCon (in-person and virtual) since 2014. Looking forward to seeing old friends in-person again this year for the first time since Long Beach.

I know Denver isn't quite as high as Park City or Keystone were, but another common tip when at higher altitudes it to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

-Chris

BradMoser

I can't wait to be back in person! While I missed the Park City InstCon, I began my attendance in Keystone 2017. Oh, what fun-filled learning and tons of swag. I find it especially helpful if you have some specific questions that you'd love to ask those school leaders about their approach and solutions to similar problems. One time, I was especially looking for new ways to present PD sessions. I recall a poster session about leveling up their learning and leveraging modules, open-enrollment courses, and badges. It was rad to see how they leveraged Canvas to facilitate the process. I took that new idea back and created my own online and hybrid PD for staff. I've done it a couple other times even shared one about learning Canvas to the Commons ( Canvas Levels of Learning).

My tips: Don't be shy. When standing in line for food, talk to others. Say hi to folks you pass in the workshops. Ask questions after sessions. When you see a school logo you recognize, call it out and connect. You won't regret it.

I'll be there again, if you are too, let's connect!

DiannaDK

I am so excited to attend. This will be my second in-person InstCon. Keystone in 2018 was my first. The networking was incredible and everyone was so friendly. I know I have several Hoosier friends who will be in attendance and I can't wait to meet many of the people I've gotten to know online.

Tips:

Keep track of those sessions you wish to attend but always have a backup plan.
Stay hydrated!
Leave room in your bags for the swag.
Make it a point to meet greet people whenever you're standing in line or waiting for a session to start. Once you leave Denver you'll have a lot of new friends!

See you in a few weeks!

mjoaquin

This will be my third in-person InstCon, the prior two were at Keystone. I am traveling as a #solopanda for the first time! Looking forward to the (hopefully) cooler CO temps!

melodyc_lam

Hi! I'm a #solopanda as well 🙂

Can someone explain Hack Night in more detail because that sounds amazing and up my alley as a ed tech coach/coder/Canvas Admin right now 🙂

l_hankin

This is my second in-person InstCon - the first was right before we migrated to Canvas, when it was in Long Beach - and it will be the first where I won't be a #solopanda 🐼 but I'll certainly be looking forward to meeting up with others! I'm also grateful to have more info about Hack Night.

kscinta

So what is this "Panda" thing all about? 🙂 I guess I will be a #solopanda, as this will be my first in-person conference. I attended virtually last year, but didn't get a whole lot to bring into my world. Its fun to listen to others experiences, but I think I will get a better feel for what to ask, when I am there emmersed in the conference. I know there is so much I have not tapped into yet.

MikeDombroski

Hey all! Nice to see everyone here 🙂 We are new to Canvas (May) and this will be my first InstructureCon and I am looking forward to absorbing as much as I can and meeting lots of you! I'll be there as a #duopanda.

AnissaThompson

Thank you for the tips! I'm a Canvas Credentials integration tech. Getting excited to come to my first in-person IC, and will also be #solopanda - can't wait to meet everybody!

rexj

Thank you for the tips @BethCrook 🙂

This is my first InstCon and I am a #solopanda. I am looking forward to connecting with others.

MARISSASCHRADER

This is my first time attending in person and I will be a #solopanda as well. I was able to catch the last two virtually, but am excited to attend in person this year. I am a relatively new Canvas tech coach/admin (just completed my second school year), so I am looking forward to learning new things and experiencing this conference.

Chris

One thing I haven't seen anyone mention yet is that the conference atmosphere of InstructureCon is generally pretty casual. For those coming for the first time, business casual attire is probably the dressiest you need to get, but you'll find quite a few people walking around in jeans and tshirts (may given out as SWAG from previous InstructureCons) all day. I say this because I've heard people comment in previous years that they didn't expect the more causal environment and felt a bit out of place.

If anyone disagrees with this, please comment here, as I don't want to lead anyone completely astray.

-Chris

Greg

Thank you @BethCrook for starting this discussion. This will be my third in-person InstructureCon after Keystone 2016 and Long Beach 2019. At my first one I was impressed with how friendly the Instructure employees were and loved the ability to make connections with Canvas users from different institutions. We were new to Canvas and it was nice to connect with my near colleagues throughout the conference to help us decide how to set up our new instance.

This year I'm going to be a #solopanda and look forward to connecting with others, especially those new to Canvas.

slwilso3

Hello from Illinois State University!

My first big InstructureCon, I attended a mini in Chicago in 2016. I'm travelling solo. I do have a question about transportation, the site said there was a shuttle from the Element but the desk is unaware of it. Any other folks at the Element? Any information on the shuttle?

Unanswered Questions

ICON 2023 session recordings
I can't find the session recordings for ICON 2023? I was looking for a specific recording of a session. Can someone point me to a video archive of the sessions?
NASA Video That Made Us Cry
Are there plans to release the video about the girl that ends up working at NASA? Such a great powerful video! Please share it with us all.
Can't register for sessions!
Can someone please help me to connect the correct unique ticket# to my email, so I can register for sessions? Ive been trying to get this done since last week, with no support. Please help!
Name Badges: What do the different colors mean?
After arriving at The Gaylord for Instructurecon, you'll notice that there are a few different colors of name badges. There are also some special lanyards. Hopefully, these identifiers make it easier to spot the individuals you need to! (All of this was completed with the magic behind your registration! If you have…
Instructure Event App is Ready for 2023!
Hi!! Did you know there is an app specifically for Instructurecon? (Both are free!) Instructure Events iOS Instructure Events Android To log in, use the same email you entered on your registration form. The agenda, speaker list, sponsor list, expo hall map, and so much more, is available all in one place. I've also heard…