Board Blog: Your #CBISeattle Packing List

Jamie Lynn Gilbert, CBI Treasurer

College Broadcasters, Inc.’s National Student Electronic Media Convention is just around the corner so it’s time to get packing. Below is a list of things you should pack or prepare for your trip.

1. Comfy shoes

NSEMC takes place at the Renaissance Seattle, located at 515 Madison St. If you haven’t been to Seattle before heed this warning: it’s really hilly. Just a short walk outside the hotel can be grueling so be sure to pack comfortable shoes for your evening excursions.

2. Convention expectations

I am fortunate enough that my school is able to fund our entire trip, so I have a strict set of expectations for my students. They have to attend 10 sessions and write a summary of each to share with the rest of the staff and our Student Media Board of Directors. This ensures the students take the trip seriously and are good stewards of the station’s financial resources. Even if someone is paying for the trip out of pocket having the adviser or student leaders set some basic convention expectations, like how to dress and if you are planning any group meals or activities, can ensure the trip is a success.

3. A notebook

Be it paper or electronic, you will want to take lots of notes on what you learned. Keep a running list of both action items (things to do right away) and bigger ideas you want to discuss with the rest of your staff when you get back.

4. The CBI convention app

New this year is our mobile app through Attendify. Download it for your Apple or Android device and search for CBI NSEMC 2018 Seattle. Favorite the sessions you want to attend and even set alarms so you won’t miss your must-see sessions. We won’t have a printed program this year, so make sure your app is ready to go Thursday morning.

5. An open mind

The thing about student electronic media is there is no average media outlet. You might hear stories about managing a staff of 100 when you only have 10 or how a social media team covers an sporting event when you don’t air any sports. Keep in mind the old saying “your mileage may vary.” Think about how an idea can be adjusted to fit your unique needs rather than dismiss it as something impossible or irrelevant.

6. Show and Tell

Start Saturday morning of the convention with the Radio/TV/Multimedia Show and Tell. Bring aircheck, package or podcast clips under three minutes for constructive feedback by the session moderators and attendees. You can either bring clips on a flash drive or post them online in advance.

7. Swag

Who doesn’t love swag? The much-loved (in my opinion, at least!) Swag Swap Social closes out Thursday night of the convention. Grab as many stickers, key chains, pens and other swag items as you can fit in your suitcase so you can swap them with other media outlets. If you don’t have any swag, come anyway for promo ideas and vendor suggestions so you’ll be ready for next year.

8. Business cards

You love the presentation you just saw and want a copy of it. Rather than writing down your email on a scrap of paper that will immediately be lost, exchange business cards instead. You can then go back and connect with the presenter or anyone else you meet. It’s way easier than trying to remember everyone’s names.