Monday, Oct. 5, 2009 -- Preview Edition

Welcome

ACI-NA will publish a special convention daily e-newsletter, Centerlines on the Scene, to keep you up-to-date on the proceedings of the ACI-NA 18th Annual Conference and Exhibition in Austin. An e-mail blast will link to a special area of the ACI-NA website and will be e-mailed to ACI-NA members so even those not able to attend will be in the loop. 

 

Our newsletter coverage begins Saturday evening and will continue with evening editions through Wednesday. There will be a comprehensive wrap-up edition on Oct. 23.


This year ACI-NA will be going a step further and providing live coverage of the conference. The newsletter's web site, Centerlines on the Scene, will be updated throughout the day. In addition, ACI-NA will be using social media to enhance our already extensive coverage.  New this year will be staff blogs posted throughout the event to both this daily conference website and the new staff blog site, Centerlines Blog. The ACI-NA staff will also use Twitter to send reminders and comments about the various seminars, general sessions, concurrents and receptions. Those interested in participating in the Twitter discussions please use hashtag #aci18. And, for those using Facebook, our tweets and blogs will also be posted on our Facebook page.

 

This edition is a preview of what will be taking place next week both inside and outside of the Austin Convention Center. For those of you arriving early in the weekend, there is plenty to do right downtown. 

 
Seminars

 

Committee Meetings

 

Pre-Conference Media Coverage

 

Conference Highlights

Peter Bergen, CNN National Security Analyst and author, will be the keynote speaker on Monday, Oct. 12 in Austin. Bergen is a member of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s National Security Preparedness Group and is considered a leading commentator on the new generation of terrorism that threatens the West. The welcoming remarks and keynote address begin at 10:15 a.m.

 
Exhibition Hall

The Exhibition Hall grand opening will be Sunday at 5 p.m. with a two-hour reception immediately following in hall. Sunday's Exhibit Hall hours: 5-7 p.m.

 
Hotel Information

Headquarters Hotel

Other Primary Hotels:


What to Do in Austin

 
Guest Tours

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has arranged for several complementary whole-and half-day tours throughout the conference. Each trip is limited to 25 guests on a-first-come-first-serve basis. On-line regigistration is now available. Guests can also register for tours once they arrive in Austin. On-site guest tour registration will be located in the Atrium at the Austin Convention Center beginning Saturday, Oct. 10.

 
Did You Know?

Austin's Bats
The largest urban bat colony in North America lives in Austin under the Congress Avenue Bridge, the bridge near the back side of the convention center. Read more on Austin's bat and the best viewing times.

 
Closing Night Reception

The closing event will be at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. All buses will leave the Hilton at 6:15 p.m. The evening includes two live performances, museum tour, Texas brisket, games and margaritas!