Hoodies, iPads & a Meetup: Getting Excited for ASTD 2011

The OpenSesame crew is packing up for our trip (from rainy Portland, OR) to (sunny) Orlando, Florida next week for the American Society of Training & Development’s annual International Conference & Expo (ICE). ICE is the premier international event in the professional training and development industry, featuring more than 8,000 attendees from organizations all over the world.

While I’m a big fan of self-directed and resourceful learning, conferences are great, in-depth learning experiences. I plan to sneak away from the OpenSesame booth and into the sessions to learn about innovative projects and ideas from presenters like Jane Bozarth, Matt Murdoch and Treion Muller. I’m also looking forward to seeing new and old Twitter friends like Shannon Tipton, Jenna Papakalos and Cammy Bean.

Win an iPad!

Best of all, we will be playing the famous OpenSesame Conference Game! Stop by our booth (#1106) on Monday to get an OpenSesame hoodie and key. Wear your hoodie on Tuesday and Wednesday, and we’ll be walking around with our locked case holding an iPad 2 or an iPod Touch. Try your key in the lock - and say OpenSesame! - and if you’re holding the right key you’ll win the Apple goodie within. Either way, you’ll get a sweet OpenSesame hoodie.

Meet Up!

If you’re in Orlando for ICE, please join us Sunday evening for a meetup at B.B. King’s Restaurant and Blues Club, in the Pointe Orlando center near the Convention Center. Starting at 9 pm, we’ll sponsor the snacks and be ready to have a good time. Look for the crowd in the OpenSesame hoodies to get a head start on networking and grab your OpenSesame hoodie!