Convene with a number of BLC veterans for a newbie survival session. We want you to get the most you can from your time at the conference, so let us show you the ropes. We will give you tips on choosing sessions, how to get around the hotel and how to find help. We will also highlight the various online tools used throughout the week to help us stay connected, and we let you in on the best places to charge your laptop. Finally, Boston is a great city and we will share some recreational recommendations!
A “DUCK” is an authentic, renovated World War II amphibious landing vehicle. On this narrated city tour you’ll cruise by all the places that make Boston the birthplace of freedom and a city of firsts, from the golden-domed State House to Bunker Hill to fashionable Newbury Street; from Quincy Market to the Prudential Tower, and more. Learn little known facts and interesting insights about our unique and wonderful city.
And this is not any ordinary street tour…. You will “splashdown” as your ConDUCKtor takes your DUCK right into the Charles River. Bring your camera, ipods and videos – share the ride with family members and colleagues. We’ve booked Ducks especially for BLC participants.
Price: $36 – The Duck Boat will pick you up outside of the hotel at the Valet entrance.
Building Learning Communities is invited to a Creativity Reception at FableVision Studios located on the top floor of the Boston Children’s Museum with gorgeous views of the city. Come to meet and be inspired by Peter H. Reynolds, his twin brother Paul, and his team in this fabulous creative workspace from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm. The Studio is 1.1 miles from the Park Plaza (15-minute cab ride with traffic or 25-minute walk). The address is 308 Congress Street, (on the top floor of the Boston Children’s Museum).
Make more connections! Join us for a speed networking session at BLC2013. Through quick, structured conversations, you’ll broaden your connections and increase exposure for you, your organization or your cause. You'll also have the opportunity to gain new networking skills, ideas, and conversation starters.
How it works: Participants greet each other in a series of brief exchanges during a set period of time. During an interaction, attendees share their professional backgrounds and business goals. Networkers are generally seeking exposure to new markets and/or to expand their pool of relevant professional contacts.
Speed Networking Tips
So how do you go about participating in speed networking with the proper focus to make the most of your time? Here are a few tips:
1. Start with the end in mind. You're there to find ways to connect with each and every person you have the opportunity to sit in front of for a few minutes. While you will not, realistically, become close friends with every person in the room, you're increasing your potential contacts by meeting many people in one setting.
2. Conduct the exercise as a mini interview. Aim to collect meaningful data. Think in terms of what you can find out about the person you're meeting. Adopt the mindset of working to mutually benefit one another. Ask questions that'll clarify where and how you can help one another.
3. Follow up. If you don't follow up with those you meet during the speed networking exercise, you will only have succeeded in wasting your time--which is exactly what you were trying to avoid by attending the event in the first place. Collect the business cards of each person you sit with during the exercise. The magic happens after the exercise, in the weeks and months to come.
The social highlight of the conference week! Your registration includes the Annual BLC Bash that will be held in the magnificent ballroom of the Park Plaza Hotel.
