We can hardly contain our excitement – we are days away from Super Conference 2020!
We get it: Super Conference can be super overwhelming. More than 5,000 delegates will attend the conference and Super EXPO over four days, and with more than 200 sessions, socials, award galas, and events happening, you may be scratching your head on how to tackle it all!
This email contains information regarding registration, your conference experience, and other key details. It is a long email, but we promise it contains very important information to make your conference experience better!
Please read carefully, and if you have any questions, please reply directly to this email. Please note: beginning Tuesday, January 28, all OLA Staff will be out of the office and onsite at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
BADGE AND DELEGATE BAG
Have Your Badge Already? If you registered before Friday, January 3, we mailed your badge to the mailing address you indicated at the time of registration. Be sure to bring it with you. Your badge must be worn at all times. All you need to do is go to the Express Registration Desk and pick up your conference bag and onsite program. Your badge must be worn at all times.
Don’t Have Your Badge or Lost Your Badge? Please go to the Registration desk (divided by last name) located in the main lobby of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre to pick up your badge, along with your delegate bag. Please bring a confirmation of your registration. Your badge must be worn at all times.
Please Note: The layout of the conference lobby has changed – we’ll have volunteers and planners on hand to direct you to the right spot.
HOW TO GET THERE
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC), North Building, is located at 255 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2W6.
The MTCC is located two blocks west of Union Station, where GO Transit, VIA Rail, and TTC connect. To access the MTCC from Union, you can walk indoor via the SkyWalk or outside along Front Street.
Some sessions will take place in the InterContinental Centre (ICTC) that is next door and attached to the Convention Centre.
REGISTRATION DESK HOURS
Registration will be open:
- Tuesday, January 28: 5:00 PM — 8:00 PM
- Wednesday, January 29: 7:30 AM — 7:00 PM
- Thursday, January 30: 7:30 AM — 5:00 PM
- Friday, January 31: 7:30 AM — 3:00 PM
- Saturday, February 1: 7:45 AM — 9:30 AM *Registration will move to the InterContinental Centre Hotel for Saturday
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE + PROGRAM
The conference schedule can be viewed online on our website. You will also receive a print program in your delegate bag. The schedule is subject to change.
Keep an eye out on your inbox: we’ll send you important highlights each day of the conference.
It is important to note that although we asked you to select your sessions during registration, this does not guarantee you a spot at those sessions. We use that information to allocate rooms. Sessions are on a first come, first served basis.
PROGRESSIVE WEB APP
This year, the conference is using a progressive web app, which means our website is entirely mobile-responsive and delivers app-like experience to users. When you visit it on a mobile device, you will be prompted to add it to your home screen.
From the website, you can view the program and star the sessions you are interested in on the Schedule, fill out evaluations for each session you attend, and view alerts on room changes and special announcements.
Learn how to use the Progressive Web app here.
Each day during the conference, we will also send out a few helpful tips to remind you of exciting events and speakers. These are not vendor-related or paid advertising – simply alerts to keep you in the know about your day at Super Conference. Opt in to notifications to receive these during the conference.
COFFEE
There are several options for your caffeine fix. A Starbucks is located east of the MTCC at Front and University. There is a Second Cup in the MTCC next to the Career Centre in Room MTCC 201AB. There is a Tim Hortons across the street from the MTCC – you’ll see a sign that says “Food Court and Shops Entrance”. Walk down the stairs and you are in the Commerce Court food court in the PATH.
FOOD AND DRINK
There are a number of options for lunch and snacks around the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. There is the Commerce Court food court in the PATH across the street from the MTCC – you’ll see a sign that says “Food Court and Shops Entrance” and walk down the stairs. There are a number of restaurants in the area – we’ll have Tourism Toronto maps available for you to pick up at our OLA Lobby.
WHAT TO WEAR
Wear what makes you feel comfortable and expresses your personality! It is January/February and it can be chilling in the MTCC. We recommend that you dress warmly, and take advantage of our coat check if needed in the MTCC Lobby.
WIFI
This year, we have free wifi throughout the convention centre. Please connect to the network “Super Conference 2020” with the password olasc2020. You may also use the public wifi network “MTCCPublic.”
TWEET, TWEET, TWEET
If you’re planning to tweet during or after the conference, please remember to use our hashtag #OLASC. This will allow your fellow tweeters to follow along in the conversation.
ACCESSIBILITY
The venue is fully accessible and we can provide priority seating. If you have any questions or concerns, please ask one of our staff members or planners in the red vests.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The OLA is dedicated to providing a positive event experience for all participants, and expects attendees, speakers, exhibitors, volunteers, and staff to show respect and courtesy toward one another at all conference and conference-related events. Please view our OLA Code of Conduct.
WHAT TO DO AT THE CONFERENCE
What to Expect: Throughout the day you may attend sessions to learn and be inspired, attend social events and the Unconference Centre to network with others, and attend the Super EXPO (Thursday and Friday only) to meet with more than 200 vendors, authors, and exhibitors.
Sessions: We have more than 200 sessions over the four days, but a great starting point is our keynotes and divisional spotlights. Please note that sessions are on a first come, first served basis. Your session selections at the time of registration do not guarantee you a spot at sessions you selected. We use those numbers to allocate rooms.
Non-Session Events: We have lots of socials, like our bus and walking tours, Yoga, Games Night, Karaoke Night, and Farewell Reception, and our All Conference Welcome Party.
Onsite Store: Like pairing sassy socks with professional resources? Visit our onsite Library Marketplace in MTCC 205B to purchase merchandise, books, and more!
Career Centre: Need some career or job resources? Visit the Career Centre in Room MTCC 201AB.
Support our Annual Campaign, the I Read Canadian Fund: Help us get new, Canadian books into the hands of readers. Visit the Gratitude Bar in the MTCC Lobby to donate. Learn more about the Fund here.
Community Partners Boulevard: Libraries rely on valuable partners to reach out to the community and meet their needs. These partners will be on hand to spread the word of their services, from literacy, to advocacy, to French services, to outreach and more. Visit the Community Partners Boulevard on Wednesday, January 29 from 9:30 AM — 4:00 PM in the MTCC Lobby.
Public Library Award Gala: If you are attending the Public Library Award Gala on Thursday, January 30, please note there are no physical tickets. If you purchased a ticket, you will be added to the electronic list and you will be able to check in at the event.
Sock Drive: Nobody should be dreaming of the basics. We are inviting attendees to donate a pair of socks for our friends at StreetHealth. Street Health is a non-profit community based agency that strives to improve the health and well-being of homeless and under-housed people in Toronto. Drop off donations at the MTCC Lobby.
Super EXPO: The Super Expo is the exhibit floor of the Super Conference, located in Hall C up the escalators near the entrance of the MTCC of Front Street. It’s your chance to interact with all of the major vendors working in the library industry. There are special programming, author signings, swag, and more on the EXPO floor. It will be open for two days: Thursday, January 30 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM and Friday, January 31 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM.
Style Lounge: Need a new head shot? Stop by the Style Lounge in the Super EXPO. Open both Thursday and Friday on the EXPO floor. We’ll have professional hair, makeup and photographers onsite to give you a headshot that will make your selfie cower in shame. No appointments necessary, but first come, first served. Sitting fee of $20 will go towards the OLA I Read Canadian Fund.
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS
If you have any questions, please email us at superconference@accessola.com. Please note that beginning Monday, January 27, all OLA staff members will be out of the office and onsite at the MTCC.
If you have any questions onsite, please ask one of our volunteers in the blue vests and one of our planners/staff members in the red vests. You can also stop by the OLA Lobby, located in the main lobby of the MTCC, and pick up some fun swag!
We can’t wait to meet you at the conference!