Publishers' Exhibits
Windgate Hall (5th floor)
Plan to browse the publishers' exhibits from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday in Windgate Hall.  The best times to do so are listed in the conference schedule.  The exhibit hall is open on Friday only!

Missouri Association of Teachers of English/Missouri Writing Projects Network Reception and Late Night Open Mic. Reading
You are invited to attend an open house reception and open mic. at 8:15 p.m. on Friday.  First, you will get the chance to do a little creative writing.  Then, officers of the Missouri Association of Teachers of English (MATE) and the Missouri Writing Projects Network (MWPN) will take a few minutes to share what these wonderful organizations have to offer.  You will learn about the great publications that come with your modest MATE dues, and you will hear about the 2011 National Writing Project Invitational Institutes in your area.  This session will also serve as a "reunion" for National Writing Project Consultants throughout the state. 

Following the reception, you will have the opportunity to read your creative work at our Late Night Open Mic, sponsored by MATE and the Missouri Writing Projects Network.   Bring your poetry, short fiction, essays, and other short written works to share, or you can read the piece that you wrote at the beginning of the reception.  You may also bring an instrument and perform your original song lyrics.  Or, just sit back and enjoy the creative endeavors of your colleagues.  Our open mic. reading is the perfect way to relax and enjoy yourself after a long day of learning!  All are welcome!

Greef Awards
These awards, given annually at the Write to Learn Conference by the Missouri Association of Teachers of English (MATE), are presented to outstanding college seniors who plan to teach English after graduation.  Institutions of Higher Education in Missouri will each select an outstanding pre-service candidate in the area of English education to receive the award.  Award winners and their guests (a parent or a representative from the Teacher Education Departments at their schools) are invited to attend an Awards Banquet held in a separate room during lunch on Friday, where the awards will be presented.  Winners will also be briefly presented to all conference attendees prior to the after-lunch keynote address.

Special Book Sales and Autographing Sessions
Don't miss your opportunity to buy books by our featured authors and have them autographed!  Look in your conference materials for the autographing session schedule.

Winners' Ceremony for 2011 Missouri Writing Awards Contest
You are also invited to attend a reception held by the Missouri Writing Projects Network for Missouri student writers who have been chosen as winners of the 2011 Scholastic Writing Awards Contest.  The reception is open to all and will be held at 4:45 p.m. on Friday.

Missouri Writing Projects Network Presentations

Teachers who have participated in a Missouri Writing Project site will present a number of breakout sessions throughout the conference.  These sessions are designated by a pencil symbol next to the session description.  Find out more about the Writing Projects Network by visiting their table in the Grand Ballroom Foyer or by attending the MATE/MWPN Reception and Open Mic.

Missouri Reading Initiative Presentations

Some sessions during the conference will be presented by Trainers from the Missouri Reading Initiative (MRI) or teachers from MRI schools.  These sessions are designated by a book symbol next to the session descriptions.  Find out more about the Missouri Reading Initiative by visiting their table in the Grand Ballroom Foyer.

Missouri IRA Presentations

Some sessions during the conference will be presented by members of the Missouri Council of the International Reading Association (IRA).  These sessions are designated by the graphic of a child reading.  Find out more about Missouri IRA by visiting their table in the Grand Ballroom Foyer.

Missouri Association of Teachers of English Presentations
Some sessions during the conference will be presented by members of the Missouri Association of Teachers of English.  These sessions will be designated by an apple symbol next to the session descriptions.  Find out more about MATE by visiting their table in the Grand Ballroom Foyer or attending the MATE/MWPN Reception and Open Mic.

Door Prizes
Exhibitors have once again generously donated door prizes to be given away at lunch on Friday and at breakfast on Saturday. As usual, you must be present to win!

Copies
Presenters should bring more than enough handouts for everyone in their sessions.  If you run out of handouts, the hotel does have a business center where you can make a limited number of additional copies at your own expense.

No Smoking, Please
Please do not smoke during Write to Learn meals and sessions.  A designated smoking area is located outside the building at the shuttle pick-up site.  Thank you for your cooperation.

No Cell Phones, Please
Please do not take cell phones into pre-conference sessions, breakout sessions, or keynote presentations.  Ringing phones are an unwelcome interruption for all concerned.  There are numerous breaks in the conference schedule when you may make telephone calls.  If you must carry a cell phone, please set it to "vibrate" and if you expect a call, sit near the door so that you may slip out unobtrusively.