Scholarships & Awards

Betty Garlick Lifetime Achievement Award

Becky Garske

Retired Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator, Mott Community College

Becky devoted her entire professional career to advocating for high quality education for all children. Her career spanned from an ECE classroom teacher, Director of an early learning center, working at community agencies, and part-time college instructor until finding a home as the ECE Program Coordinator and full-time faculty at Mott Community College from where she recently retired. Becky is revered for the strong relationships she developed with future early childhood educators and the collaborations she cultivated within the communities where students and children live. She is an encouraging and supportive mentor who always took students’ well-being into consideration when making decisions.

Becky’s involvement within the ECE field extends beyond her professional activities including serving as a Past President and Treasurer for Michigan AEYC, presenter for local, state and national early childhood conferences, Michigan ACCESS officer, and a member on statewide committees.

Debbie Antone

Memorial Grant

Tammy Bandstra

Shela Jones

Jackie Miller Endowment Grant

Student Leadership Scholarship

Megan Matson

Brian White

Early Childhood Scholarship

Aubriel Hayes

COVID-19 POLICY

Michigan AEYC will abide by all federal, state, and local requirements as well as any facility mandates in place at the time of the conference. Proof of vaccination is not required to attend the in-person event. Mask-wearing will not be required, but is recommended. Sessions are timed to reduce the number of individuals congregating or passing through the space at any given time. Refusal to adhere to federal, state, or local government mandates, facility requirements or Michigan AEYC policies in place at the time of the conference may result in immediate removal from the premises and registration cancellation, without a refund.

Online conference access to a large number of conference sessions is available to all conference attendees for those seeking to participate risk free or who prefer the convenience of online learning. Registrants, exhibitors and presenters must refrain from attending in-person who:

• Are (or have within 10 days prior to the event) experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

• Have been exposed, without a face covering, to a known or suspected case of COVID-19 within 14 days of the event, are experiencing symptoms, and have not received a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the event.

• Have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are not yet cleared as non-contagious by a health care provider or are still under quarantine for any reason.

Specific scenarios or refund requests should be directed by email to Kelsey Laird at klaird@miaeyc.org

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 14th. Registration after that date must be done onsite during onsite registration times. Onsite registration takes place in Center Concourse, Concourse Level, Amway Hotel:

• Wednesday, April 19 5:00pm - 8:00pm

• Thursday, April 20 7:00am - 4:30pm

• Friday, April 21 7:00am - 2:30pm

• Saturday, April 22 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 from Signinapp.com (on your phone or printed out) to scan your QR code at an iPad badge station upon arrival and receive your badge.

Onsite registrants should proceed to the Onsite Registration counter, Center Concourse, Concourse Level, Amway Hotel to complete your onsite 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 5th for assistance.

Text Notifications

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

@miecc2023

Parking

• Amway Hotel - $35 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

Exhibit Hall

Vendors of equipment and instructional materials are in the Exhibit Hall, Ballroom A, DeVos Place on Thursday, April 20 and Friday April 21, 9:30am - 5:30pm.

Exhibit Hall Closing Party!

SponsoredbyZumbini

Friday, April 21 4:30pm - 5:30pm. Visit the Exhibit Hall before closing to place your final bid in the Silent Auction (by 5pm), visit vendors, win prizes, enjoy a snack, music and cash bar.

Connections Lounge

Located in the Welsh Lobby and Ballroom A Balcony, DeVos Place, Thursday, April 20 and Friday, April 22.

• Create at the Process Art Station sponsored by Kaplan

• Photo Booth

• Write a letter to your lawmaker

• Advocacy puzzle

• Ask the Experts: Michigan Child Care Licensing, Our Strong Start, NAEYC and Michigan AEYC

• Job Board

• Seating and phone chargers

• Free publications

• Complete a Satisfaction and Engagement card in exchange for a gift (while supplies last)

• Members can pick up their annual membership gift, collect funny conference ribbons, and pick up a snack

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.

https://www.32auctions.com/miaeyc2023auction

Poster Session

The poster session invites teachers, service providers, researchers, and students across disciplines to share information about early childhood, early intervention, inclusive practice, family-school relationships, teacher education, professional development and related areas.

The Poster Session takes place following the keynote on Friday, April 21, 12pm- 1pm in the Ballroom B/C/D of DeVos Place

Dining & Things to Do

Food service is not included in registration. Quick lunch lines are available Thursday and Friday in the main hallway of DeVos Place near the Exhibit Hall. A grill cart is available during the lunch period in the Exhibit Hall. Additionally, the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel offers several dining options and there are numerous options within walking distance. 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.

Membership Meeting

Michigan AEYC members are invited to the Annual Membership Meeting Thursday, April 20, 2023 from 6-6:45pm, Ford Ballroom, Amway Hotel. Hear about the work of your professional organization statewide.

Gala

SponsoredbyKaplanEarlyLearningCompany

At the Michigan AEYC Gala you’ll join your peers in recognizing this year’s award and scholarship winners, enjoy live dueling piano entertainment by the talented ‘Greg and Smokin’ George,’ a full plated dinner and drinks! Attire: Come as you are.

Gala entrance is not included in conference registration. Individual tickets, as well as a table reservation, may be purchased in advance only at a rate of $45/ticket.

Ticket sales: https://bit.ly/eccgala2023

Cocktail Social and Red Carpet

SponsoredbyCentralMichiganUniversity

Meet up with friends before dinner, build your network, connect with students/alumni/staff, and explore new opportunities- all are welcome! Gather maroon & gold tickets throughout the day to enter for drawings, then join us for free appetizers and a cash bar. Free swag for the first 100 attendees. Stop at the red carpet for a photo op!

Friday Night Fun: Grown Ups Night Out

SponsoredbyChildCareBusinessProfessionals

After a long day of workshop sessions, join in a fun-filled evening of lighthearted singing, interactive games. Keynote speaker Richard Cohen pokes good-natured fun at crying babies, snot-nosed kids, persnickety parents and hand-print holiday turkeys with his special brand of stand-up comedy created especially for stressed-out, paint-covered, marker-stained early childhood professionals! Friday 8-9:30pm, Ambassador Ballroom, Amway. Free admission, cash bar.

Zumbini Instructor Training

Join Zumbini Instructor Caitlin Basler LIVE during the 2023 Annual Early Childhood Conference on Saturday, April 22 10:15am – 4:15pm

Created by Zumba and BabyFirst, Zumbini is a fun, unique, and effective ECE program designed to promote cognitive, social, emotional, and motor skill development for children ages 0 – 5 through music and movement.

FREE for Michigan AEYC Members/$35 for Non-Members

Pre-registration required: https://bit.ly/MIAEYCZumbini

Michigan AEYC Event Code of Conduct

Michigan AEYC Is committed to providing a professional, collegial, supporting, respectful, friendly, safe, and welcoming environment for all participants and Michigan AEYC staff regardless of a person’s race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, age, religion, disability status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical appearance or other characteristic and any other legally protected classes.

All participants, including, but not limited to attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, sponsors, staff, service providers and others are expected to comply with this Event Code of Conduct. Michigan AEYC expects participants and speakers to uphold the professional and educational purposes of NAEYC and its events by respecting the rights, privacy, safety, and dignity of everyone.

Expected Behavior:

• All participants are treated with respect and consideration, valuing a diversity of views and opinions.

• Strive for inclusive, transparent, and open communication.

• Be considerate, respectful, and collaborative in speaking and listening.

• Do not appropriate knowledge shared during this meeting or future collaborations.

• Acknowledge the contribution of others.

• Respect the rule and policies of Meeting.

• Comply with the safety protocols prescribed by Michigan AEYC and event venues including protocols in place for COVID-19.

• Participants will not bring any children under the age of 18 into the event including exhibit and session areas.

Unacceptable Behavior

Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated during any portion of a meeting or event. Unacceptable behavior includes but is not limited to:

• Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning speech or actions.

• Individual attacks on others.

• Harmful or prejudicial verbal or written comments or visual images related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability, or other personal characteristics, including those protected by law.

• Real or implied threat of professional or financial damage or harm.

• Inappropriate or repeated disruption of meetings or events.

• Deliberate intimidation of others.

• Photographing, video, or audio recording of slides, oral or poster presentations without presenter/author’s permission.

• Presentations, postings, and messages should not contain promotional materials, special offers, job offers, product announcements, or solicitation for services. Michigan AEYC reserves the right to remove such messages and potentially ban sources of those solicitations.

Reporting Harassment to Michigan AEYC: Report harassment and disruptive behaviors to Michigan AEYC staff at miaeyc@miaeyc.org.

Violation of this Policy, as determined by Michigan AEYC in its sole discretion, is grounds for any action that Michigan AEYC deems appropriate, including but not limited to warning the offender, denying the offender access to a Michigan AEYC event and restrictions from future Michigan AEYC meetings and events. Michigan AEYC reserves the right to take whatever action it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, with respect to the investigation of any matters related to this Policy.