BEA2015 Frequently Asked Questions
Convention FAQ's
General Information | Convention Registration | Presenting & Participating
At the Convention | Past Programs & Future Dates
Q. When is BEA2015’s annual convention held?
BEA will hold its 60th Annual Convention & 13th Annual Festival of Media Arts this year in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 12-15, 2015 at the Westgate Las Vegas. The NABEF / BEA Career Day will take place on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at the Las Vegas Hilton along with other special events.
Q. What do I need to do before the convention?
Please visit the NAB 2015 Housing page on the NABShow 2015 website for detailed information on making your hotel reservation.
When considering your registration options, check out the BEA 2015 Convention page on the BEA website. Take advantage of the substantial discounts and register early!
Convention program participants (Moderators, respondents, panelist, presenters, etc…) need to register by February 24, 2015 to guarantee inclusion in the printed convention program.
Q. Can my spouse accompany me at the convention?
Yes! Registered spouses are welcome to all BEA2015 sessions, events, meals & receptions. Spouses cannot be involved in the industry, and must be accompanied by full conference registration.
Q. Where can I find more information regarding a specific panel, paper Competition, poster session, district meeting, interest division meeting, or festival ceremony?
The convention program is available online and can be viewed on the BEA2015 Convention webpage. Sessions, panels, competitions, meetings and ceremonies can be searched by title, presenter name, keyword, or by BEA interest division. You may also view the abstracts for sessions and papers.
Q. How can I get a copy of the 2015 Annual Convention program?
All registered attendees may pick-up a program along with other materials onsite at the BEA registration area located in the Las Vegas Hilton starting Saturday, April 11, 2015.
Q. What comes with my BEA 2015 Registration?
With your BEA2015 registration, you have access to all BEA sessions, including Keynotes and Receptions. Registration also includes access to the NAB2015 Show–which includes access to the Broadcast Engineering Conference, Broadcast Management Conference, Plus Super Sessions, the Opening Keynote and State of the Industry Address, Info Sessions, Content Theater and Exhibits. NAB meal events such as breakfasts and lunches are not included.
Q. Do I have to be a BEA member to attend the convention?
No, you do not have to become a member of BEA to attend the convention however we hope you decide that a BEA individual membership is valuable to you. BEA is the professional association for professors, industry professionals and students who are interested in teaching and research related to electronic media and multimedia enterprises and members of BEA pay considerably less to attend the convention than non-members. Please visit the BEA Membership webpage for information.
Q. How do I register for the convention?
You can go directly to BEA2015 Registration starting in December. If you are planning to pay by individual check you must print out the registration form and return the form with payment and mail to Experient, PO BOX 4088, Frederick, MD 21701.
Q. How do I register for the convention if my university/company pays by check?
You and/or each person in the group will need to print out and complete the pre-registration form and submit a request to your university/company. Checks must be made payable to Broadcast Education Association.
Please be sure to mail the check and registration form(s) together directly to Experient, PO BOX 4088, Frederick, MD 21701. If you have questions or need further assistance please contact BEA directly at 202.429.3935 or BEAMemberServices@nab.org .
Q. What if my university/company needs a completed W-9 Form?
Your university/company can contact BEA directly at 202.429.3935 or BEAMemberServices@nab.org in order to receive a completed W-9 form.
Q. I want to attend the NABEF/BEA Career Day sessions and job fair. Do I still need to register for the convention?
To enter the sessions and job fair on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 you must register for the BEA2015 Annual Convention. These are benefits that are included in the convention registration.
Q. I am a Student Member. Do I still have to register for the convention?
Yes, BEA’s annual convention continues to provide the most valuable exchange of research, networking and technology around. Student members must register themselves for the convention by registering online or returning a completed registration form via mail or fax. Pre-Registration early bird special is $75.00 as a BEA student member.
Student members and non-members credentials will not be mailed and MUST be picked-up on-site. A valid student ID is required. Students may pick-up their badge, a program along with other materials onsite at the BEA registration area located in the Las Vegas Hilton starting Saturday, April 11, 2015.
Q. My school/college/institution has a department membership. Do I qualify to register for the convention at a discounted rate?
No, rates for convention are based on individual membership. As per BEA Board policy, only current BEA individual members receive the discounted member rate, not faculty of a BEA institutional member. Institutional department membership is not related to individuals or individual membership. Please visit the BEA Membership for more information.
Q. What is your refund policy?
To receive a refund, cancellation must be received in writing to Broadcast Education Association by March 1, 2015. No refunds will be given after this date. Registrations received after March 5, 2015 is non-refundable. A $60 handling fee will apply. You can send your refund request to BEA, 1771 N Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036. BEA reserves the right to cancel any programs and assume no responsibility for personal expenses.
Q. I am presenting a paper and/or participating in a panel at the convention, do I still have to register to attend the convention?
Yes, all individuals planning to attend the BEA2015 Annual Convention must register.
Q. What is BEA’s convention participant registration policy?
All designated presenters, panelist, chairs, respondents must register for the conference by February 24, 2015 to guarantee inclusion in the printed convention program. For multiple-authored papers, a minimum of one author, must register by February 24, 2015 or the paper may be removed.
Q. I am presenting my first paper. Do you have any advice?
The BEA leadership and home office have placed increasing importance on strengthening the quality of conference presentations and enhancing participant engagement. Prepare a presentation that follows all of the rules of good speech making. Be sure you have planned on an introduction and conclusion. Organize the body of your talk and provide internal organizing mechanisms so people can easily follow along. Do not speak beyond the allotted time and do not read your paper or outline – speak extemporaneously. Summarize your study or report, but do so briefly. In this instance, less is clearly more!
- Should I bring multiple copies of my paper?
Presenters will often bring extra copies of their paper to give to those who request them at the presentation. If you do not bring extra copies, or run out of copies, it is acceptable to send someone a copy via mail or through e-mail.
Q. How can I best secure copies of others’ paper?
If you are attending a panel and would like a copy of a paper, ask the presenter directly.
- I am doing a Scholar to Scholar presentation. How can I make my presentation most effective?
Scholar to Scholar presentations create a unique opportunity for questions and exchanges not available in more formal sessions. Presenters should take advantage of the opportunity to have an exchange with those who choose to come to the session. For the first time, the Scholar to Scholar session will take place on one side of the exhibit hall. We will have dedicated time for the Scholar to Scholars presenters to be available but the research will be accessible to attends for most of the convention. Presenters will have a 4’ by 6’ bulletin board to post their research.
Q. What Should I wear?
In addition to your professional materials, you might want to know that the dress at the convention is business casual for presenters. If you are not presenting, you can be more casual. Wear comfortable shoes! Depending on your evening plans, you might want to pack jeans or a more formal outfit. Don’t forget your name badge! Also, be sure to check the weather forecast in Las Vegas online before you leave.
Q. Should I attend the district / division meetings that are listed in the program?
Absolutely! District meetings are optional, but it’s where community is built. Attending business meetings offer many advantages. One advantage is the input you will have in disciplinary issues and directions. You will have the opportunity to elect leaders and discuss new direction in your research area. District meetings offer both leadership and networking opportunities. If you would like to become active in BEA, volunteering to serve your district can help you in the direction. You will be able to meet other scholars and teachers who share your research interests and gain opportunities to worth with them. Finally, these meetings offer you the chance to meet people on a social level.
Please go to the interest division meetings! BEA is composed of seventeen interest divisions and each has a business meeting. You will have input about the direction of the interest division, vote for group leadership and hear about new directions. If you would like to become active in BEA, volunteering to serve your interest division can help you in that direction. You will develop opportunities to work with them. These meetings offer you the chance to network and expand your community.
Q. How should I organize my time at the convention?
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With over 200 scheduled sessions and meetings (and that’s just for BEA2015), you have many choices. Your first priority is to know when you are scheduled to present. You should find out this scheduled time as soon as possible, as your trip planning may be scheduled around your presentation.
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Review the events of all convention. These are spotlighted or convention-wide programs that will appeal to a large cross-section of convention attendees. These are great networking and educational opportunities.
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Choose the presentations you would like to attend. These choices can be based on topic of interest to you, friends or faculty who are presenting, or even presenters you would like to meet (a presentation provides a great opportunity to begin a conversation with them. Many presenters will also have papers you might like to receive.
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Choose the district / division meetings you would like to attend. Meetings are open for any BEA member to attend. If you are interested in these meeting, you can become an active participant in these meetings, which is perfect way to experience BEA membership, as well as a valuable opportunity to meet people and create professional relationships.
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Remember that Wednesday, April 15, 2015 Career Day events and sessions are in the Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. Plan accordingly if you would like to attend.
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Don’t forget to save some time for fun! BEA offers several social events as part of the overall convention experience. On each night we hold a reception of some type. Over 250 people typically attend the receptions, making it a good place to meet with friends and make new ones. Check the schedule for times and dates.
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Have fun outside the convention as well! Set aside some time to explore the conference location. Many attractions, regional cuisine (you might want to schedule some time to eat), historical tours, shopping, and other events will compete for your time.