American Society of Indexers (ASI)
Liberating the
Index
2007 Annual Conference
23–26 May 2007
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
Program Overview
Planning is now under way for the celebration of ASI's 40th anniversary at the 2007 Annual Conference in Philadelphia, where we will celebrate ASI's history and explore the issues and technological advances that shape our profession.
Our conference theme, "Liberating the Index," recognizes both the history of the city and the fact that our profession now expands far beyond back-of-the-book indexing, embracing formats and technologies that were unimaginable when the Society was founded in New York City in 1968.
As part of ASI’s anniversary celebration, ASI will honor its founding members and the history of our Society, recalling the days when indexes were created on cards, most ASI members lived on the Eastern Seaboard, and dedicated indexing software was the stuff of science fiction. The Anniversary Luncheon on Saturday, May 26, will feature presentations by four former ASI Presidents — Alan Greengrass, Barbara Preschel, Dorothy Thomas, and Diana Witt — whose respective terms span the history of the Society from 1968 through the early 2000s, discussing the issues that shaped ASI during each decade.
Then we’ll fast-forward 40 years as we explore the tools and issues that ‘liberate’ both the index and our professional lives, from software developments to techniques that can help us work faster and smarter.
Indexers and the publishing industry have been liberated by technology from the geographical constraints that existed 40 years ago in building a client base and producing and delivering finished indexes. At the same time, our profession was changed by that technology as we moved from index cards to dedicated software, and from printed indexes to embedded code that can be reused in a variety of formats. Plenary sessions, workshops, and breakout sessions will address the issues that can help us deal effectively with all this freedom. A program preview is now available, summarizing workshops, breakout sessions, and other events that are currently scheduled.
Jayne A Hitchcock, our Keynote Speaker, will address the topic of "The Wild, Wild Web: Staying Safe Online," offering tips that can help liberate indexers from the dangers inherent in conducting business online. Jayne is an internationally recognized cyber-crime expert who has worked with U.S. legislators in the drafting and passing of many Internet laws. She has been featured on CNN, 48 Hours, Primetime, Good Morning America, and The Montel Williams Show and was selected by Lifetime TV as its "Champion for Change." The author of eight books, including Net Crimes & Misdemeanors: Outmaneuvering Web Spammers, Stalkers, and Con Artists, 2nd Edition (Information Today, Inc., 2006), Jayne also serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Cyber Crimes and Criminal Justice and is a regular contributor to several magazines. She will be signing copies of her books following the presentation.
Jill O'Neill, Director of Planning & Communication for NFAIS, will be a featured speaker on Saturday morning, discussing "Adapting to Change; Sustaining Knowledge". The information community is in transition. Just what our information tools, resources and practices will look like in another five years is impossible to say. Even more disconcerting, the rate of change varies according to one’s functional setting in the information landscape. Players, large and small, are seeking out those tools and technologies that provide a strategic advantage, even as they reformulate their ideas regarding the nature of content and its use. This talk will provide an overview of the current areas of volatility for the information community in supporting the needs of both digital immigrants and digital natives.
Happy Anniversary, ASI!
Carolyn Weaver
President-Elect/Program Coordinator
Conference Location
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Philadelphia–Center City
1800 Market St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Located in the heart of the business/financial district of downtown Philadelphia, our conference hotel is conveniently located only eight miles from Philadelphia International Airport, six blocks from 30th Street Station, and one block from SEPTA Regional Rail Service. For those who choose to combine business with pleasure, the hotel is within blocks of the historic district, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Penn’s Landing, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Franklin Institute (science museum), Rittenhouse Square, Avenue of the Arts, and the Philadelphia Zoo.
Hotel amenities include complimentary wired high-speed Internet access in all guestrooms, mobile executive workstations, coffeemakers, hairdryers, illuminated makeup mirrors, full-size ironing boards, irons, desks, and data ports, as well as an outdoor swimming pool with sundeck and a fitness center.
Reservations: Call 1-800-996-8916 or 215-561-7500. Ask for Reservation Code IDX. Reservation deadline: May 1, 2007.
Group rates of $139 per night (single or double) will be honored May 19 – May 30, 2007; so plan on spending an extra day or two exploring this exciting and historic city!
Parking: Hotel parking (valet only) is $31 per day. To explore other parking options in the Center City area, visit the Philadelphia Parking Authority website.
Transportation Options
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Distance: 8 miles /12.87 KM
Shuttle charge (one way): $10.00
Taxi charge (one way): $26.50
Time by taxi: 15 minutes
R-1 train:
charge: $5.50
time: 20 minutes
weekday: exit at 18th & Market (across street from hotel)
weekend: exit at 18th St. (1 block from hotel)
BWI Airport (BWI)
Distance: 95 miles / 104.6 KM
Newark International Airport (EWR)
Distance: 65 miles / 152.88 KM
Train
Station Name: Amtrak 30th St. Station Philadelphia
Distance: 0.5 / 0.8 KM
Taxi fee from train station: $5.00
Subway
Station Name: Surburban Station
Distance: 0 miles
Driving: The hotel's website provides custom driving directions.
Rental Cars: Hertz Corporation is offering special rates to conference attendees. See the Hertz brochure for details, and then connect directly to the Hertz reservation system.
General information about transportation, including shuttle services, from Philadelphia International Airport to Philadelphia-area destinations is available on the airport's website.
Advertising, Sponsorship, and Exhibit Information
ASI deeply appreciates the support of conference exhibitors, sponsors, and advertisers. We would especially like to acknowledge 2007 conference sponsors Colleen Dunham Indexing, Indexing Research, and Macrex Support Office North America for their support for this year's receptions and anniversary luncheon, and Information Today, Inc., for sponsorship of the post-conference tour.
For information about how you, too, can contribute to this conference, please download the 2007 Exhibit, Sponsorship and Advertising Information in PDF format for information about opportunities and rates.
Breaking News
Meeting Evaluation: If you are attending the annual meeting, please participate in the Annual Meeting Evaluation.
Chapter Relations Meeting: This meeting is open to all who are interested in chapter-related issues. Please note that the meeting is scheduled from 5-6 on Friday, which is a change from the time listed in the printed preliminary program. The informal agenda will include a discussion of the new chapter manual, ideas for programming at chapter meetings, and support initiatives for new or struggling chapters,. Anyone with other ideas for agenda items should contact Diana Witt, Chapter Relations Coordinator.
Conference registration is now open. The printed registration form (125kb PDF) is now available. The preliminary program packet (4.6MB PDF) is also available for downloading. The printed program is expected to be mailed to members the last week in February.
Postconference Tour: The conference concludes on Saturday night with a Ghost Tour of Philadelphia. Hear the chilling tales of America's most historic — and haunted — city on this candlelight walking tour through Independence Park and Society Hill. Is Ben Franklin still roaming the streets of his "City of Brotherly Love"? Do the very souls of our forefathers still frequent Independence Hall? Does Benedict Arnold have unfinished business at the Powel House? Push aside the cobwebs and discover what lurks in the shadows of America's most historic city! This tour, sponsored by Information Today, Inc., is free to all conference registrants, but separate registration is required to confirm participation. Tickets for guests will be available for a fee.
The ASIconference email list is now open for discussions about the 2007 conference. To subscribe, please visit the ASIconference website or send a blank e-mail message to asiconference-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. If you are already an ASI conference subscriber, please visit the website to review your email delivery options.
New Members/First Time Attendees are cordially invited to attend an introductory session on Thursday, May 24, 5–6 pm, to meet with ASI's officers, board members, and committee chairs and learn about ASI's programs and services. Here you can also team up with a conference Buddy who will help you get the most out of your conference experience. Buddies are experienced conference-goers who will contact you prior to the conference, spend one-on-one time with you, and introduce you to other conference attendees. Buddies are assigned based on geographic location and indexing interests. For more information about ASI's buddy program (or to volunteer to be a Buddy), please contact Richard Shrout, Buddy Program Coordinator.
Contact Information
Carolyn Weaver, Program Coordinator
conference@asindexing.org
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