Attendee’s Guide
Greetings from the Atla Member Programs Team! We are excited to see you at Atla Annual, both online and in Baltimore.
We’ve created this Attendee’s Guide to help offer essential information on how best to navigate Atla Annual 2022.
Quick Links:
- Access online conference at Sched
- Download printable conference program
- FAQS
- I’m attending Atla Annual online
- I’m traveling to Baltimore and attending in person
Joining the Conference Online
For those attending Atla Annual online, visit the conference page on Sched and sign in. If you have not signed into Sched before, use this activation link. Your email address is the same address you used to register for the conference in My Atla.
Add sessions that interest you by clicking on the checkbox marked with the text “Click here to add to My Schedule.”
Once you add a session to your schedule, the “Open Zoom” button becomes visible. At the start of the session, click on the button and your Zoom application will open. We highly recommend downloading the latest version of Zoom BEFORE the conference starts. Fill out any necessary information Zoom prompts you for, and you’re in!
You will also find presentation slides (if uploaded by the presenter) on Sched, fill out the Feedback form for presenters, see who else is attending, etc.
What time do sessions start?
This conference occurs in Baltimore, Maryland, which is in Eastern Standard Time. Educational sessions begin each day at 8:45 a.m. EST. For those of you joining online in different time zones, you will find it very handy to change your settings to reflect your local timezone. On the right column of the main page, under “Timezone,” is a drop-down menu that lets you select your timezone.
What if I need tech support?
We are here to help as best as we can! An Atla staff member will be in every session. If you are a presenter or host, an Atla staff member will be in your session the whole time to help with any technical issues. If you are an attendee, email us or use the Q&A or Chat function in Zoom to contact the staff member in your session.
How do I ask questions during a presentation?
The Plenary sessions will be on Zoom Webinars, so use the Q&A function on Zoom. The other sessions will be on Zoom Meetings. If you have a question for the panelists/speaker, we encourage you to use the “raise hand” functionality under the Reactions option and wait until the speaker calls on you. You may also use the Chat function to ask a question to the general chat.
When can I ask my question during the Business Meeting?
The Board will be answering questions as time permits during the Atla Business Meeting on Thursday, June 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST.
Which Denominational Meeting should I attend – my institution’s or my own?
We are hosting meetings of denominational groups, interest groups, and other groups both in-person in Baltimore and online the week after the conference, so you can attend more than one. View the schedule and add them to your Sched! Even if you haven’t attended before, you are welcome to pop into any of the meetings.
How do I provide feedback?
For some speakers, this is their first time presenting at an online conference, and would love to hear your feedback! Every session page on Sched has a feedback form that goes directly to the presenter. Please note that this feedback is not anonymous.
We will also email a post-conference survey to all attendees about your conference experience.
Baltimore Attendees
Getting to the hotel:
The conference hotel is the Hyatt Regency Inner Harbor, 300 Light St., Baltimore, MD 21202
If you’re flying into BWI, take the light rail from the airport into the city. Exit at the Camden Yards Station. The Hyatt Regency is a five-minute walk from the station. The light rail will be about a 25-minute trip, and the costs are:
- Regular one-way fare: $1.90
- Senior (65+) fare: $0.90.
There are also plenty of standard rideshare options, and it will be about a 20-minute drive from the airport to the hotel. More info on the light rail: https://www.mta.maryland.gov/schedule/lightrail
Local Host Dinners
We will have sign-ups available for Dinner with Colleagues. There will be two options for Thursday evening and one for Friday evening. Seating is limited, so be sure to stop by the Local Host Table to sign-up early.
Please be sure to stop by the Local Host table for recommendations on restaurants, cultural sites, and local attractions, and to find answers to your questions about the city. Additionally, if you are organizing a dinner or outing for your denominational or interest group in advance, or if you have any questions about travel or the city, you’re welcome to email Jessica Boyer (boyer@msmary.edu) for advice or recommendations.
Morning Worship
There will be two morning worship services. On Thursday, we will worship at Christ Inner Harbor Lutheran Church, and on Friday, Alexis Weiss will lead Practicing the Four Immeasurable Qualities: A Universal Buddhist Practice for Awakening the Heart at the hotel. Additionally, space will be set aside in the hotel for personal reflection on Saturday morning.
What is the conference hashtag?
We know some of you like to Tweet, so we will be using #atla22 for this year’s conference. Share insights, resources, and your favorite quotes from this year’s online event!
Atla Annual 2022 Sponsors
