FAQ
Q: When and where is EAST Conference 2022?
EAST Conference 2022 will be held from March 15-17 at the Hot Springs Convention Center. At this time, EAST is also planning to provide a virtual option. More details coming soon.
Q: What is the health and safety plan for onsite?
EAST is currently crafting a health and safety plan for the in-person experience and will share more details closer to the event. As always, we will continue to monitor and follow CDC
guidelines and recommendations by local health officials, and we will make updates accordingly.
Please note that at this time masks WILL be mandatory for EAST Conference 2022 attendees. Proof of negative tests and vaccines WILL NOT be required. EAST reserves the right to make changes to this policy, as staff continue to monitor the development of COVID-19 in addition to CDC recommendations.
Q: Where can I find a more detailed schedule of events for EAST Programs?
EAST has created the EAST Program Detailed Schedule. Additional information will be added as we get closer to the event.
Q: Are there any resources that my EAST Program can use to help us get started with the planning process?
Yes! Here is the EAST Conference Planning Checklist - make a copy and update it for your program. Don’t forget to check out the Conference folder in the Facilitator Toolkit for
additional resources, including budget templates, examples of Conference Team applications, and more!
Q: My team wants to use the EAST Conference logo to create our own t-shirt design. Where can we find the branding guidelines?
Check out the official EAST Conference 2022 Branding Kit here.
Q: Why are competitions announced so late?
Competitions are designed to recognize the individual elements of your team's overall project. For this reason, we (somewhat) intentionally delay the competition announcements because we don't want EAST programs to build their projects around the competitions.
Q: What is the dress code for attendees?
Click here to view this year’s EAST Conference Dress Code.
Tuesday & Thursday
Casual dress is appropriate. We recommend nice jeans, khakis or other pants and an appropriate shirt (i.e. EAST t-shirt, polo, etc.). Registered attendees will receive an EAST Conference t-shirt, and many schools choose to wear those on Thursday.
If you are speaking on stage (for Closing Session), please change into business professional attire prior to Closing Session.
Wednesday
Business professional attire is required. This includes slacks or khakis with a dress shirt or polo, blazers or vests, dresses, skirts and blouses, and coordinating shoes. Ties and jackets (suit or sport) are optional. High heels are not recommended for all-day wear.
Additional Dress Guidelines
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Stomach, sides, cleavage and back must be covered. Sleeves (not see-through) are required.
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Dresses, skirts and shorts must follow school length rules. Tights, pantyhose, or other spandex materials cannot substitute as an extender to dresses, skirts or shorts.
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Pants must be fitted at the waist (no sagging) with no holes or tears in garments.
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Headgear (i.e. hats, caps, beanies) is not acceptable.
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Wear comfortable shoes. Flip-flops and house slippers are not acceptable.
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Specialty EAST shirts designed for your school’s program may be worn as long as they do not violate the criteria mentioned and are worn in a presentable, professional manner.
Q: Is this event ADA accessible?
EAST welcomes all attendees and complies fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please notify events@eaststaff.org at least 14 calendar days prior to the event, if you need accommodations related to audio, visual, or mobility needs.
We advise attendees with mobility assistance needs to allow plenty of time to get from one location to another as the convention center is very large.
Q: Are there any special service animal guidelines?
Service animals must wear identifying apparel to enter the Hot Springs Convention Center.
Q: What can we do to ensure that our belongings are secure during Conference?
Security guards will be onsite to monitor the Exhibit Hall and other areas in the Convention Center. However, EAST is not responsible for the loss of, or damage to, any valuables or other items during Conference.
Click here for more information.
The terms and conditions referred to above will be governed by the laws of the State of Arkansas and all disputes that might arise in connection with them will be adjudicated in Pulaski County, Arkansas. These terms and conditions constitute the entire agreement and
understanding between the parties hereto relating to the subject matter contained herein.
Each party agreeing to these terms and conditions covenants that he/she has the power and authority to do so on behalf of his or her school or similar entity.
Here are some tips to keep your items secure:
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Do not leave portable items unattended in public areas.
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Label everything so we can return any lost items to the appropriate owner.
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Please take all valuable and portable items to your hotel each evening.
Q: How can I help make this a safe (and fun) experience for my program?
Here are some event security tips from EAST staff
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Name tags must be worn by everyone at all times (IDs required for some).
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Practice the buddy system when traveling from location to location.
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Have a “rally point” to reconnect with your team if you get lost.
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Separated from your group? Head to the Registration Booth.
Q: Speaking of security, are there bag size guidelines for Opening and Closing Ceremony?
Bags larger than 14” x 14” x 6” are not permitted at the EAST Conference Opening or Closing Sessions. Bags may not be left unattended. No weapons are allowed!
Q: Can I exchange my EAST Conference t-shirt or purchase an extra one?
Yes! Attendees can exchange their official EAST Conference t-shirts and/or purchase additional shirts on Wednesday after 10:30 AM. Requests for size exchanges must go through Registration, and purchases can be made in the Gear Store (in the Exhibit Hall).
Q: Are there any items that we should NOT bring to Conference?
Yes! There see the list of items that are specific to your booth on the School Booth Guidelines page.
Q: Is there a policy related to alcohol, tobacco or drug use while at EAST Conference?
Yes; EAST Conference is an alcohol-free, tobacco-free, drug-free event. The use of any of these substances is strictly prohibited.
Q: When will the competition winners be announced?
Competitions winners will be announced during Closing Session.
Q: Can we bring coolers?
Typically, the convention center does not allow coolers or outside food/drink to be brought into the building. However, they do make exceptions for our group to make EAST Conference a more affordable experience for schools. So yes, you can bring in a cooler for lunch, but we encourage
you to store it in the booth (maybe under a table). Note that coolers must be removed from the Exhibit Hall while your team is eating, as food is typically not allowed in that space.
Q: Can we bring additional students or parents?
Guests are welcome to attend EAST Conference! In fact, there are a couple of ticketing options available:
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Exhibit Hall Pass (FREE): If your guest primarily wants to see the Exhibit Hall (where all school booths are located), this is your best option. There is no advanced registration required; simply head to the registration counter on Wednesday or Thursday with a government-issued ID (if applicable) and request an Exhibit Hall Pass.
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Additional Full Access Pass: Register your guest or chaperone for $50/person (or $75/person after Feb. 28), which will provide access to all aspects of EAST Conference.
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General Sessions Pass: For $15/person, attendees receive access to the Exhibit Hall, as well as the Opening and Closing Sessions.
Q: My program would like to bring a group of students that aren't on our Conference team. Is this allowed?
School Groups are welcome to attend Conference during the Exhibit Hall Open hours on Wednesday & Thursday. An adult chaperone must check in at registration & provide a list of all attendees before they can enter the Exhibit Hall. Unless otherwise requested, these attendees will be given an Exhibit Hall Pass (which is free & only gets them access to the Exhibit Hall).
*Pre-registration is not required, but students must follow all Conference guidelines, including the Dress Code.
Q: My team is planning to order lunch from the on-site concession stand at Conference. Is there a menu we can look at?
There is! Click here to view the EAST Conference 2022 Concession Stand Menu.