Attending the Conference
When will the conference program be available?
The preliminary schedule will be available in late December or early January. However, this schedule will only be available to those who have an account in the Conference Management System. After signing on, click on “View” next to “Conference Schedule” under “Registration Options.” On the upper right corner of the schedule, there is a search box and you can use that to search by area, presenter, presentation title, day, or time.
On the left side of each session, you’ll see a little green button with a plus sign on it. If you click on this, it will turn red, and the titles of papers and the authors become available. (Please note that the preliminary schedule may be updated frequently in the days after its release; while much of the schedule will remain the same, there may be some shifting in presentation times or rooms.)
A few weeks prior to the conference, a PDF of the full program will be posted online at https://swpaca.org/conference-programs/. An Addendum – containing moves, cancellations, etc. – will be available onsite during the conference, as well as through the conference app.
Why did my paper end up in a different subject area in the program?
If you submitted a proposal to one area in the submission database, and your paper is now showing up in a panel in a different area, this does not mean an error has occurred. Due to issues such as proposal topic, panel themes, the number of acceptances in an area, cancellations, etc., the conference staff occasionally moves papers into other areas.
Do I need to submit my paper before the conference?
You are not required to submit a copy of your paper before your presentation. Sometimes after a presentation, attendees in the audience will ask a presenter for a copy of her/his paper. You may give out copies if you wish, but you are not required to do so. You may also, at your discretion, take email addresses and later send an electronic file of your paper if anyone requests a copy. If you are a graduate student, you should consider submitting your paper for one of the graduate student awards. See the conference’s Graduate Student Awards page for a full list of awards, submission information, etc.
What should I wear at the conference?
There is no formal dress code; attendees wear clothes ranging from business casual to t-shirts or other clothing related to their pop culture interests.
Can I "hop" in between panels?
We understand it can be tempting to panel “hop” (i.e. going in and out of panels to hear presenters in different sessions), given the abundance of panel and presentation topics. However, at academic conferences, you should choose one panel to attend at a time. Out of respect to the panel and to other panel attendees, please avoid going in and out of the room once the panel has started.
Should I attend other panels besides my own? How many?
Yes–and as many as you like! You should look through the conference program in advance and select panels you want to atttend, then review updates in the app or the on-site Addendum. Your conference registration entitles you to attend all conference events and panels, keeping in mind your travel schedule.
Can I take a break during the conference?
Absolutely! There are various seating areas in the conference area, as well as a restaurant and bar in the hotel lobby. In addition, many visiting New Mexico for the first time like to check out local attractions when time permits.
Is there a scheduled lunch time?
Due to the large number of panels each day, there is no scheduled lunch time. Once each conference day begins, there are typically 15-minute breaks in-between panels, and then a dinner break before evening conference events (such as screenings, workshops, Subject Area events, etc.). Our Opening Reception on Thursday evening will include finger foods and an open bar.
Where can I get lunch?
In addition to the hotel restaurant and bar, the Marriott Albuquerque is located next to two large shopping areas in walking distance, Winrock Town Center and ABQ Uptown, and a short driving distance from Coronado Center. Right across the hotel parking lot are a Buca Di Beppo and Jason’s Deli.
We suggest searching on Yelp for nearby eateries that fit your dietery needs.
There are so many sessions! How do I choose?!
There will always be multiple panels going on at a time due to the number of presentations–so you will need to decide which one is the most valuable to you at any given time. Whether you are a new or frequent conference attendee, we encourage you to sit in on panels about topics that you are both familiar with and unfamiliar with. You never know what and where new ideas will inspire you!