Banner
Crayons in Bowl

 

 

Ambassadors are experienced AEA members who volunteer to reach out to first time conference attendees and anyone with questions. 

If you are seeking help from someone who knows the ropes - or where to point you to find out what you need, Ambassadors can also assist you in connecting with resources and people who share your interests. 

If you are a regular attendee at the conference, please consider serving the Association as an AEA Ambassador and therein growing your professional network!

How to sign up:
  1. Take a moment to review the questions and answers below, to make sure serving as an ambassador is a good fit for you.
  2. If you decide you would like to serve as an ambassador, scroll down to the Ambassador schedule and identify your preferred timeslot(s)
  3. Email Heidi in the AEA office at office@eval.org with a subject line of "ambassador" and indicate a first and second choice timeslot (day, time, role) that are best for you (scroll down for list)

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why does AEA have an Ambassador program? Feedback from recent AEA conferences suggests that first time attendees, as well as some of those that are returning, can feel isolated or unsure of how to get the most out of the meeting. The data further suggest that many attendees are seeking networking opportunities – but are unsure as to how to reach out to others in the field. The Ambassador program is one way we are addressing these issues.

What are the qualifications of an Ambassador? Ambassadors have attended at least two AEA conferences (one in the case of students) and have been AEA members for at least three years (one in the case of students). They are outgoing, feel knowledgeable about the conference, and are ready to meet new people and answer questions about the Association and the meeting. Ambassadors serving in the Diversity Hospitality Suite or the International Hospitality Suite should, additionally be familiar with at least one of AEA's Diversity or Internationally-focused programs or TIGs.

What are the obligations of being an Ambassador? At the Conference, Ambassadors volunteer for a single one to two hour scheduled shift. Ambassadors also wear an “Ambassador” ribbon throughout the conference indicating their willingness to answer questions at any time.

What do Ambassadors do during their scheduled shift? During receptions, Ambassadors seek out attendees with “first time attendee” ribbons and/or those who are not engaged with others. In the Diversity International, or Student Hospitality Suites, Ambassadors welcome those who come to the suite, maintain the sign-in sheets, and encourage use of the suite and its resources.

Whether at a reception or in a Suite, Ambassadors welcome attendees, may offer them a drink, give directions, ask about their work and reasons for attending, and recommend upcoming events or ways to get involved.

What do Ambassadors do the rest of the time? Ambassadors wear “Ambassador” ribbons throughout the Conference. They are willing to answer questions at any time. During the newcomers orientation, attendees will be encouraged to seek out Ambassadors should they have any questions. Ambassadors are looking for ways to help attendees get involved in AEA and the Conference. They may invite new attendees to join them for dinner, encourage them to attend a TIG meeting, or exchange business cards for follow-up after the conference. Great Ambassadors take a moment to stop and chat with attendees in the elevator or when sitting next to a first time attendee while waiting for a session to begin. Great Ambassadors connect attendees with each other – introducing newcomers to AEA leaders or others in their field who might be interested in their work.

What are the benefits of being an Ambassador? Ambassadors get to meet new members and expand their network of colleagues. They help the Association through making the Conference and AEA more welcoming. They help individual attendees by providing a way to connect with others and access information. Ambassadors serving during a reception receive tickets they may use to purchase drinks for new attendees.

Ambassador Schedule:

 

*PLEASE NOTE: filled slots are indicated in red 

 

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

  1. Diversity Hospitality Suite Open House Host: 6:00-7:00 PM: Open House

  2. International Hospitality Suite Open House Host: 6:00-7:00 PM: Paula Bilinsky, Bob Williams

  3. Student Hospitality Suite Open House Host: 8:00-9:00 PM: Susan Kistler, Debra Rog

  4. Opening Reception and Exhibition Ambassador: 6:15-8:00 PM: Stan Capela

  5. Opening Reception and Exhibition Ambassador: 6:15-8:00 PM: Nicole Vicinanza

  6. Opening Reception and Exhibition Ambassador: 6:15-8:00 PM: Vathsala Stone

  7. Opening Reception and Exhibition Ambassador: 6:15-8:00 PM: Lyn Shulha

  8. Opening Reception and Exhibition Ambassador: 6:15-8:00 PM: Ruth Mohr

  9. Opening Reception and Exhibition Ambassador: 6:15-8:00 PM: Patricia A Jessup

Thursday, November 12, 2009

  1. Diversity Hospitality Suite Early Morning Host: 7:00-9:00 AM: Deana Wagner*

  2. International Hospitality Suite Early Morning Host: 7:00-9:00 AM: Donna Podems

  3. Student Hospitality Suite Early Morning Host: 7:00-9:00 AM: Grant Morgan*

  4. Diversity Hospitality Suite Mid-Morning Host: 8:50-10:50 AM: Michelle Jay

  5. International Hospitality Suite Mid-Morning Host: 8:50-10:50 AM: Tererai Trent*

  6. Student Hospitality Suite Mid-Morning Host: 8:50 AM - 12:30: Annalisa Staffa*

  7. Diversity Hospitality Suite Late-Morning Host: 10:50 AM - 12:30 PM: Katye Perry

  8. International Hospitality Suite Late-Morning Host: 10:50 AM - 12:30 PM: Thomas Widmer

  9. Diversity Hospitality Suite Lunchtime Host: 12:25-1:35 PM: Kataraina Pipi

  10. International Hospitality Suite Lunchtime Host: 12:25-1:35 PM: Jane Davidson

  11. Student Hospitality Suite Lunchtime Host: 12:25-1:35 PM: Annie Rae Clemens*

  12. Diversity Hospitality Suite Early Afternoon Host: 1:30-3:25 PM: Katrina Bledsoe

  13. International Hospitality Suite Early Afternoon Host: 1:30-3:25 PM: Tania Rempert

  14. Student Hospitality Suite Early Afternoon Host: 1:30-3:25 PM: Amy Gullickson

  15. Diversity Hospitality Suite Mid-Afternoon Host: 3:15-4:25 PM: Nicole Cundiff*

  16. International Hospitality Suite Mid-Afternoon Host: 3:15-4:25 PM: Tania Rempert

  17. Student Hospitality Suite Mid-Afternoon Host: 3:15-4:25 PM: Syreeta Skelton*

  18. Diversity Hospitality Suite Late-Afternoon Host: 4:20-6:00 PM:  Nicole Cundiff

  19. International Hospitality Suite Late-Afternoon Host: 4:20-6:00 PM: Lyn Shulha

  20. Student Hospitality Suite Late-Afternoon Host: 4:20-6:00 PM:

Friday, November 13, 2009

  1. Diversity Hospitality Suite Early Morning Host: 7:00-9:00 AM Lyn Paleo

  2. International Hospitality Suite Early Morning Host: 7:00-9:00 AM: Patricia Bolton

  3. Student Hospitality Suite Early Morning Host: 7:00-9:00 AM:

  4. Diversity Hospitality Suite Mid-Morning Host: 8:50-12:05 AM: Asma Ali*

  5. International Hospitality Suite Mid-Morning Host: 8:50-10:50 AM: Elizabeth Serow

  6. Student Hospitality Suite Mid-Morning Host: 8:50-10:50 AM: Jamie Watts

  7. International Hospitality Suite Late-Morning Host: 10:50 AM-12:05 PM: Keiko Kuji-Shikatani

  8. Student Hospitality Suite Late-Morning Host: 10:50 AM-12:05 PM: Grant Morgan*

  9. Diversity Hospitality Suite Lunchtime Host: 12:00-3:25 PM: June Gothberg*

  10. International Hospitality Suite Lunchtime Host: 12:00-1:35 PM:  Thomas Chianca

  11. Student Hospitality Suite Lunchtime Host: 12:00-1:35 PM: Michelle Jay

  12. International Hospitality Suite Early Afternoon Host: 1:30-3:25 PM: Tessie Catsambas

  13. Student Hospitality Suite Early Afternoon Host: 1:30-3:25 PM

  14. Diversity Hospitality Suite Mid-Afternoon Host: 3:15-6:10 PM: Syreeta Skelton

  15. International Hospitality Suite Mid-Afternoon Host: 3:15-4:25 PM: Madhabi Chatterji

  16. Student Hospitality Suite Mid-Afternoon Host: 3:15-4:25 PM: Tom Kelly

  17. International Hospitality Suite Late-Afternoon Host: 4:20-6:10 PM: Tom Grayson

  18. Student Hospitality Suite Late-Afternoon Host: 4:20-6:10 PM

  19. Reception and Silent Auction Ambassador: 6:15-8:00 PM: Michelle Baron*

  20. Reception and Silent Auction Ambassador: 6:15-8:00 PM: Annelise Carleton-Hug

  21. Reception and Silent Auction Ambassador: 6:15-8:00 PM: Elizabeth Hayden*

  22. Reception and Silent Auction Ambassador: 6:15-8:00 PM: Jennifer Greene

  23. Reception and Silent Auction Ambassador: 6:15-8:00 PM: Hallie Preskill

  24. Reception and Silent Auction Ambassador: 6:15-8:00 PM Sheila Arens

Saturday, November 14, 2009

  1. Diversity Hospitality Suite Early Morning Host: 7:00-9:00 AM: Brandi Gilbert

  2. International Hospitality Suite Early Morning Host: 7:00-9:00 AM:  Donna Mertens

  3. Student Hospitality Suite Early Morning Host: 7:00-9:00 AM: Michelle Chandrasekhar*

  4. Diversity Hospitality Suite Mid-Morning Host: 8:50-10:50 AM: Deana Wagner*

  5. International Hospitality Suite Mid-Morning Host: 8:50-10:50 AM: Hubert Paulmer

  6. Student Hospitality Suite Mid-Morning Host: 8:50-10:50 AM:

  7. Student Hospitality Suite Mid-Morning Host: 10:50 AM-12:05 PM: Cheri Hoffman

  8. Diversity Hospitality Suite Late-Morning Host: 10:50 AM-12:05 PM: Jill Jim

  9. International Hospitality Suite Late-Morning Host: 10:50 AM-12:05 PM: Marina Chelyshkova & Victor Zvonnikov

  10. Diversity Hospitality Suite Lunchtime Host: 12:00-1:35 PM

  11. International Hospitality Suite Lunchtime Host: 12:00-1:35 PM: Elizabeth Hayden*

QUESTIONS: If you have questions, please do not hesitate to email Heidi in the AEA office at office@eval.org or call her at 1-888-232-2275 from the United States or Canada or 1-508-748-3326 from locations outside of North America.


[AEA HOME]  [CONFERENCE HOME] [WORKSHOPS] 
[FAQ]  [PRESENTER GUIDELINES]  [CONTACTS]