What to Expect at Your First SESP Conference
What to Expect at Your First SESP Conference
Attending a new conference can feel a little daunting, especially when the norms are unfamiliar and you're unsure what to expect from those around you. Those feelings are completely normal. Everyone in SESP leadership has been exactly where you are now. In recent years, SESP has worked hard to make the conference genuinely welcoming for new and returning attendees alike -- not just as a talking point. Whether this is your first year or your fifteenth, you belong here.
The Program Structure
The main conference runs all day Friday and Saturday, packed with symposia, roundtable discussions, lunches, and coffee breaks. Knowing this in advance is helpful: come rested, bring water, and pace yourself.
Symposia are substantive. Talks typically run 15 to 20 minutes, with three or four per session. Audience questions are typically engaged and thoughtful. The standard of work is high; so is the collegiality.
Informal paper presentations are also available throughout the conference. Authors may leave a one-page summary, an extended abstract, or a manuscript at a designated table, optionally including a QR code linking to additional materials. This is an asynchronous format -- attendees can engage on their own schedule without requiring authors to be present. These papers are listed in the official SESP program.
Thursday: Welcome reception
The conference kicks off Thursday evening with a welcome reception, which is well worth attending. Given how tightly packed the rest of the program is, the reception offers a rare, relaxed opportunity to meet people before things get busy. It's typically well attended, includes drinks and light food, and is where newly elected SESP Fellows are honored.
Meals
Breakfast is buffet-style with open seating during posted hours -- come when you like. Alternatively, you can register in advance for a mentorship breakfast, held at the same time and venue but organized around pre-set tables and thematic discussions. These offer a more structured way to connect with people you might not otherwise meet.
The conference lunches are sit-down, served meals. The food is genuinely good, so plan to stick around. A few things to know:
- Your name badge will include a color-coded indicator of your meal choice from registration. It's customary to keep it visible on the table so the wait staff can identify your selection.
- Seating is open. Tables seat about eight people and are spread throughout the room. Arriving a bit early gives you more choice of where to sit; otherwise, sit anywhere and introduce yourself to someone new.
- Both lunches include presentations by award recipients and a business meeting (Saturday only). Once presentations begin, table conversation is expected to pause for the duration.
Local hosts typically organize a Saturday night event. The format varies -- it might be a dinner or special access to a local museum or other venue, usually with snacks and light fare rather than a full meal. There's no scheduled programming, making it one of the better opportunities to connect with people in an unstructured way during the conference. You'll have the chance to sign up when you register.
Coffee Breaks
Coffee breaks are built into both conference days and include snacks. Beyond the caffeine, they're great for spontaneous conversation -- or for planned meetups if you want to schedule a specific time to connect with someone.
A few suggestions for first-time attendees and new Fellows
- Introduce yourself to someone. The culture here rewards it.
- At lunch, sit with people you met at the reception or during a coffee break.
- Sign up for a mentorship breakfast if you haven't yet.