Conference Overview

Information

The Conference Information Counter is located in Center Concourse, Concourse Level, Amway Hotel. The Exhibit Information Counter is located in Ballroom A, Main Level, DeVos Place.

The annual Michigan AEYC Conference is about children, not for children. A primary caregiver may attend with a non-mobile infant with the understanding and expectation that, as necessary, they will leave a session to soothe the child and to minimize any disturbance.

Registration

Online conference registration closes April 25th. Registration after that date must be done onsite during on-site registration times. On-site registration takes place in the Conference Registration Area, Concourse Level, Amway Hotel:

• Wednesday, May 4 6:00pm - 8:00pm • Thursday, May 5 7:00am - 4:30pm • Friday, May 6 7:00am - 2:30pm • Saturday, May 7 7:30am - 10:30am

Conference Badge

Badge pick-up for pre-registered attendees is located in Center Concourse, Concourse Level, Amway Hotel. Bring your conference welcome email (on your phone or printed out) to scan your QR code at an iPad badge station upon arrival and receive your badge. On-site registrants should proceed to the Onsite Registration counter, Center Concourse, Concourse Level, Amway Hotel to complete your on-site registration and payment, and badge pick-up. You must wear your name badge for admission to general sessions, workshop sessions, exhibits, and all conference functions.

Special Arrangements

All sites are handicap accessible. Michigan AEYC honors reasonable requests made by April 8 in for assistance.

Exhibits

Vendors of equipment and instructional materials are in the Exhibit Hall, Ballroom A Main Level, DeVos Place on Thursday, May 5 and Friday, May 6, 10:05am - 5:30pm.

Presenters’ Marketplace is outside the Exhibit Hall on Thursday and Friday, and in the Crown Foyer, Concourse Level, Amway Hotel on Saturday.

Parking

• Amway Hotel - $32 self-parking. Rates subject to change. Michigan AEYC Conference overnight guests receive discount on self or valet parking. • Marriott Courtyard - $24 self-parking. Rates subject to change. Michigan AEYC Conference overnight guests receive discount on self or valet parking. • View a map with additional downtown parking options by visiting https://bit.ly/GRDowntownParking

Silent Auction

The Michigan AEYC Silent Auction is live! View and bid on unique items and experiences on the auction website. All proceeds benefit Michigan AEYC student scholarships and awards.

This year’s auction is bigger than ever with over 160 items up for bid. Visit the Silent Auction in the Exhibit Hall, Ballroom A, DeVos Place on Thursday 10:05am - 5:30pm and Friday 10:05am - 5:00pm.

https://bit.ly/eccauction

GRCC Tour

Friday, May 6, 5:30pm - 6:30pm, visit the Grand Rapids Community College Phyllis Fratzke Early Childhood Learning Laboratory for an open house style tour and refreshments. This event is on-your-own. Those needing directions or wishing to walk together may meet at the DeVos Place Silver Line Station on Monroe Ave at 5:15pm to walk or take the bus. GRCC Learning Laboratory 210 Lyon St NE, Grand Rapids

Dining & Things to Do

Food service is not provided by Michigan AEYC, however the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel offers several dining options and there are numerous options within walking distance. Quick lunch lines are NOT available. Use this QR code to access a map of dining options in and around the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. https://bit.ly/downtownGRdining

DASH- Downtown Area Shuttle The Grand Rapids Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) offers downtown visitors a great way to get around. DASH buses pass every stop every 15 minutes. For shuttle info, visit https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/ Departments/Mobile-GR/DASH-the-Downtown-Area-Shuttle.

Downtown Conference Attendee Exclusives Grand Rapids rolls out the red carpet for conference attendees! Experience Grand Rapids has arranged discounts at a number of local restaurants, attractions and other businesses to help you truly experience the city while you are here. These savings are not available to the general public. Redeem your discounts simply by presenting the digital coupon on your phone. It’s that easy! Visit Visit.experiencegr.com/exclusives for a full listing of exclusive discounts.

Things to Do Visit https://bit.ly/GREventsMay4-7 for a list of events happening downtown Grand Rapids May 4 - 7, 2022.

Visit the Experience Grand Rapids kiosks located in the Center Concourse of the Amway Hotel and in the Secchia Hallway of DeVos Place to talk to an Experience Grand Rapids representative for more information on dining and experiences available in downtown Grand Rapids.

Poster Session

The Poster Session showcases practitioners, researchers, and students across disciplines with a focus in early childhood to share information on inclusive practices.

The Poster Session takes place on Friday, May 6, 11:45am- 1pm in the hall/lobby area of DeVos Ballroom A, Main Level. Visit the online conference at learn.miaeyc.org for virtual Poster Session presentations.

Membership Meeting

Michigan AEYC members are invited to the Annual Membership Meeting Thursday, May 5, 2022 from 6-6:45pm, Imperial Ballroom, Amway Hotel. Hear updates on the work of your professional organization statewide.

Text Notifications

Download the Remind app from the iOS AppStore or Google Play, then select Add Class. Enter the code @miecc2022

to receive text notifications about conference events, special announcements, session cancelations, and more.

Nursing Mothers

Dedicated nursing mother rooms are available in both the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Place meeting spaces. Amway: Mother’s Room located on the first floor lobby level near the Lyon Street entrance (next to the Fine Arts Meeting Room) DeVos: Mother’s Rooms located on the Street Level and Overlook Level on the west side of the facility

Smoking

The conference provides a smoke-free environment. No smoking or vaping is allowed in session, in the exhibit hall, or at conference events.

Session Capacity

Conference sessions have an open seating policy. Once all available seating in the meeting space has been occupied, the session is closed to additional attendees. Late admittance to sessions is disruptive to the presenter and will not be permitted. Sitting on the floor or standing in doorways of meeting rooms is prohibited.

Lost and Found

At the Amway Hotel, check at the Conference Information Counter, Concourse Level or Bell Stand, Lobby Level. At DeVos Place, check at the Information Counter, Exhibit Hall, or Information Counter, Main Lobby.

ATM Locations

ATMs are located in Amway Hotel, Lobby Level, in the hallway behind the lobby shops, and in DeVos Place at the base of the escalator.

Emergency/First Aid

Assistance is available from Amway Hotel, DeVos Place and Michigan AEYC Staff.

Weapons Policy

Weapons are prohibited. Weapons include, but are not limited to the following: firearms, explosives, stun guns, handcuffs, brass knuckles, sticks, clubs, batons, martial arts instruments, pepper spray, tear gas, knives, etc.

Michigan AEYC Gala

The Michigan AEYC Gala, Celebrating YOU!, takes place Thursday, May 5, 7pm-9pm in the Pantlind Ballroom. Advance Ticket purchase required and a limited number of tickets are available. Gala tickets are not included as part of conference registration. Visit the conference home page for more information and ticket availability. https://www.miaeyc.org/professional-development/ conferences-institutes/annual-early-childhood-conference/

Friday Night Fun!

Friday, May 6, 7-9pm, Ambassador West, Concourse Level, Amway Hotel. Everyone is invited to this fun event with a purpose! Enjoy and sing along to live music provided by talented musicians and conference presenters Todd Greenbaum and Beverly ‘The Music Lady’ Meyer while engaging in a service learning project assembling literacy book bags for PoWeR Book Bags, a 501c3 serving children in Northern Michigan. A cash bar and limited refreshments are available outside of Ambassador West in the West Concourse. Bring your refreshments into the ballroom to enjoy great music, great company, and an activity for a great cause.

Members Only

Michigan AEYC celebrates and thanks our members for choosing our professional organization. In addition to a reduced conference registration rate, members can enjoy any of the following Member Only opportunities available at the 2022 Annual Early Childhood Conference: • Member Lounge: Visit the Member Lounge located in the Exhibit Hall, Ballroom A, DeVos Place Thursday and Friday 10:05am-5:30pm for a snack, beverage, phone recharge, and receive your annual gift! • Relaxation Garden Planting: Thursday, May 5th starting at 3pm while supplies last. Plant a Michigan

AEYC Relaxation Garden Box. All supplies included. • Zumbini Live Instructor Training: Michigan AEYC

Members receive a 75% year-round discount on

Zumbini Instructor Training, but take part in the live instructor training at this year’s conference May 6 and

May 7 10:15-1:15pm FREE for Michigan AEYC members. Advance registration is required for this event. • Friday Night Fun Member Networking Events: Sign-

Up in advance for ONE Friday Night Member

Networking activity including:

Woodrow’s DuckPin Bowling, Brush Painting Studio, and Hammer & Stain wood crafts.

One drink ticket (cash bar to follow), ice cream bar, donut wall, and popcorn bar provided. Missed the online sign-up? Visit the Membership Counter,

Center Concourse, Amway Hotel to find out what spots are still available.