September+8,+2014+meeting

Attending: Norton Gusky (recorder), Mike Baker, Justin Aglio, Chris Hupp, Zee Poerio, Dom Salvucci, Tim Devlin, Justin Driscoll, Lisa Palmieri

Discussion Topics:
 * Changes in Conference details
 * Unable to work into design an innovation hub for vendors - use similar plan to last year due to space constraint /
 * Idea: Move high tables to hallway/ give a choice for 6 foot traditional table
 * Pricing remains the same
 * Increase in registration fee - $129
 * In 2006 $125 and then lowered to increase to draw more, but venue and food costs have gone up
 * Price $129 competitive
 * Get feedback after conference
 * Idea: Early bird special - $99 before October 15
 * Tech Council will work with schools/educators if budging is a problem
 * Status of presentation proposals
 * 30 presentations including featured speakers in 10 spaces
 * Themes include: Game-based learning, More about the Technology, Classroom Tools, Deeper Learning, Creativity, Early Childhood, STEAM learning, and Entrepreneurship Opportunities
 * Pre-conference focus on educational startups
 * Change in schedule from last year with Tom Vander Ark as keynote
 * Reception - Edtech Pavillion - marketing to educational community
 * Sprout Fund will help support
 * Before keynote speech
 * Conference schedule and special events (MakeShop with focus on kids)
 * Tom Vander Ark as keynote on Deep Learning and then part of Edtech Venture Strand
 * Put on website topics in Tom's new book on "Deep Learning"
 * Back-channel to focus on threads
 * Campfire area - unconference with theme on Deeper Learning based on Tom Vander Ark's keynote / opportunity for other topics
 * Maker Zone with Sprout Fund and Lisa Palmieri coordinating
 * Justin Aglio will reach out to groups - TechShop
 * Zee talked with Tom Lauwers - Hummingbirds / Finches
 * From 9:30 - 3:00
 * Engaging students/ Activities
 * Justin Driscoll - STEM Summit vendors
 * Getting sponsors for the event
 * Lumos Networks (fiber provider) - title sponsor
 * Sprout Fund - supporting sponsor
 * Shooting for 25 booths
 * Need to get other vendors on board, especially if interested in presenting with an educational team
 * The marketing plan and related activities
 * Registration - Live this week possibly tonight
 * Ad hoc basis for student pricing (50% teacher cost)
 * Notification of presenters by beginning of next week with line-up on website
 * email blast for past attendees
 * Question: How can we use our themes to get the word out?
 * Intro video for featured presenter - teaser (2 min) on Vimeo or YouTube
 * Other possibilities
 * School Scholarship from Sprout Fund
 * CoSN event on 17th during day
 * Special groups - TELLS
 * Prizes for attendees (Zee Poerio)
 * Padcaster
 * Reflector