Conference and Events

Photos from our recent events!

2010-10-06T12:06:00.003-04:00

Here are some photos of a few of our recent events - for more pictures, visit our Facebook page!

-Kaitlin

The annual signing of the Freshman Class Roll, held on August 25, 2010.

The YellowJackets at the Simon School Convocation, September 23, 2010.


Simon School Convocation in the Interfaith Chapel, September 23, 2010.

The 2010 Benefits Expo held in the Flaum Atrium on September 28, 2010.

Energy for the 21st Century Conference 2010

2010-10-06T11:19:00.002-04:00

The Conference & Events Office is happy to be involved once again with the Energy for the 21st Century Conference on Monday, October 11, 2010. This is the second symposium sponsored by the University of Rochester’s Energy Research Initiative.

The event, held in the Robert B. Goergen Hall for Biomedical Engineering and Optics, will have many specialized speakers and University of Rochester scientists and engineers will present research posters and will be available for discussions. A buffet lunch and wine and cheese reception will also provide time for networking and conversation.

This event is free and open to the general public. Online registration will be available until Thursday, October 7 at 10am. On-site registration will also be available. For more information, including the day's agenda, please visit the conference website. A listing of the day's speakers is also available.

The 2009 Energy for the 21st Century Conference.

For questions regarding the conference, please contact Ms. Vicki Heberling at heberlin@ece.rochester.edu.

We hope to see you there!
-Kaitlin & Erica

Some Upcoming Events

2010-09-23T09:54:00.002-04:00

I wanted to update you on some events the Conference and Events Office will be working on over the next couple of weeks:

The 4th annual Simon School Convocation will be held on Thursday, September 23 at 4:30 p.m. in the University of Rochester’s Interfaith Chapel. Convocation is the official kickoff to the academic year at the Simon School of Business. Remarks will be given by Chairman Emeritus G. Robert Witmer, University President Joel Seligman, Simon School of Business Dean Mark Zupan, and Sarah Pare, Simon School Class of 2011 and President of the Graduate Business Council. Joseph Abrams ’74, co-founder of MySpace and a member of the Simon School National Council and Executive Advisory Committee, will give the Convocation Address. Simon School faculty, staff, and students are invited to a reception in the Eisenberg Rotunda in Schlegel Hall immediately following the Convocation ceremony.

Make sure you plan on attending the 2010 Benefits EXPO, held September 28-30. This event gives University of Rochester employees a chance to speak with representatives from carriers, third-party administrators, and investment companies under the University’s various benefits plans. In addition, employees can receive information regarding health and wellness initiatives, tons of freebies and handouts, as well as raffle prizes!

Some of the participants include:
Retirement Companies
TIAA-CREF, Fidelity,
T. Rowe Price, Vanguard
Health Care Plan Administrators
Aetna, Excellus
Dental Plans
Excellus
Flexible Spending Accounts Administrators
Life Insurance
Securian Life
Auto and Home Insurance
MetLife
Home Ownership Programs
Advantage Federal Credit Union,
Bank of America,
Canandaigua National Bank,
Chase, City of Rochester,
HSBC, M&T, NeighborWorks Rochester
URMC Fitness & Wellness Center
River Campus Athletic Facilities
Employee Assistance Program
Well-U
. . . and many more!

Tuesday, September 28, Medical Center
Arthur Kornberg Medical Research Building
(Sarah Flaum Atrium), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesday, September 29, Medical Center
Arthur Kornberg Medical Research Building
(Sarah Flaum Atrium),10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thursday, September 30, River Campus
Wilson Commons (May Room), 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hope to see you at some point over the next few weeks!

-Scott

A Couple of Upcoming August Events

2010-07-29T14:45:00.003-04:00

We have some exciting events coming up in August I wanted to share with everyone.

Our office has been involved with the planning of the 4th Annaul CEIRS (Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance) Network Meeting that will take place August 3-5. This meeting brings together representatives of the CEIRS network, including research scientists, public health experts, government representatives, wildlife biologists and veterinarians from all over the world to exchange and discuss critical scientific information on influenza virus infection in animals and humans.

The business meeting will take place at the Woodcliff Hotel and Conference Center. On Wednesday evening, conference attendees will attend a dinner outing at Pier 45 on the shore of Lake Ontario.

One of the many traditions at the University of Rochester starts at Freshman Orientation. All incoming freshmen sign the “Freshmen Roll.” Once all of the signatures are collected, our office has the book professionally bound, and then it is sent to the University Archives at Rush Rhees Library to be stored forever!

Each year our office oversees the College Commencement Rehearsal the Friday of Senior Week. This gives graduating seniors an idea of what to expect come Commencement Day. Following Commencement Rehearsal is a champagne toast and lunch. Each year the graduating class’ freshman roll is signed out of Rush Rhees Library and on display for the students to look at. I always get a kick out of the graduating seniors scurrying to the scroll to find their John Hancock.

This year’s signing of the Freshman Roll will take place on Wednesday, August 25 from 5:45pm to 6:30pm on Meliora Plaza, right outside of Rush Rhees Library.

-Scott

Summer Update!

2010-07-16T11:46:00.003-04:00

It looks as though it has been awhile since we have updated our blog, so I thought I would give you an update on what has been happening in Conference and Events this summer.

The academic year officially closes with Commencement Weekend. While other campus departments are winding down, Conferences and Events is just gearing up! Between Friday, May 14 and Sunday, May 16 our office oversees a total of seven degree conferral ceremonies: School of Nursing, School of Medicine and Dentistry, the Doctoral Ceremony, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development, the College and the Eastman School of Music. The Simon Graduate School of Business Administration is our eighth degree conferral, which takes place in June due to their quarter system.

In additional to the seven degree conferrals taking place that weekend, there are also close to 30 diploma ceremonies (ceremonies where the students will physically receive their diplomas), receptions, dinners, and awards ceremonies. If you have never witnessed Commencement Weekend at the University of Rochester, you are missing out on quite an event. Mark your calendars for next May 13-15, 2011. Our office is always looking for ushers during the College Commencement that takes place on Sunday morning. Ushers assist with passing out programs, giving directions and seating families and friends.

Right after Commencement Weekend, our office’s attention focuses on Conference Summer Housing. Conference and Events oversees housing for close to 30 groups who spend the summer in the residence halls on River Campus. These groups range from academic groups coming to campus to take classes on River Campus, conduct medical research at Strong Memorial Hospital, or sports camps run through the Athletics Department. Conference and Events facilities the groups check-in and check-out dates, contracts, invoices, and works with offices such as Residence Life, Athletics, the Post Office, ID Office, Campus Dining and University Information Technology to make sure our guests’ stay is as smooth as possible.

While we are still a few weeks away from wrapping up another year of Conference Summer Housing, I think it is safe to say this summer has been one of the most successful summers we have ever had. The College made a push this year to make the summer vibrant and alive for our guests. The Office of Residential Life combined many programs into closer proximity to each other, creating a “community feel” which was sometimes missing during the summer months. Campus Dining offered extended summer hours and very flexible meal options and packages. The Student Activities Office offered a variety of events from movies, to shuttles to local festivals and events, to many recreational activities. A new initiative from the Student Activities Office I heard great feedback from was their weekly “Summer Weekend Highlights” email that went out to summer guests, noting what was taking place not only on campus but in the community.

Has your office thought about housing guests in the summer, whether it is for research, an internship, or community work? Feel free to contact me at 585-273-1765 or at scott.verrenti@rochester.edu and we can discuss what options would work best for your group.

In the next blog entry I will be talking about how Conference and Events is planning some very interesting events within the next couple of months. Stay tuned!

-Scott

Monroe County Math League: Part Two

2010-03-25T13:13:00.000-04:00

On Tuesday, March 9, 2010 over 35 schools from all over Monroe County came together for the annual Monroe County Math League competition. The event featured over 600 high school students, along with approximately 70 teachers in the day-long math contest.

Students started the day at Strong Auditorium for a welcome. From there, they broke off into over 30 classrooms all over the River Campus. Lunch was served in Douglass Dining, and then the students were back into their classrooms for their afternoon competitions. While the judges were calculating their scores, the students participating in math contests in Strong Auditorium.

The top three large school winners were Brighton, Fairport and Penfield High Schools, while the top three small school winners were Pittsford Sutherland, Honeoye Falls-Lima and Wayne County High Schools.

Congratulations to all of the area high school students, and we hope to see the Monroe County Math League back at the University of Rochester next year!

-Scott

Monroe County Math League

2010-03-04T13:00:00.002-05:00

On Tuesday, March 9 the University of Rochester will host the annual Monroe County Math League. This day long event brings together over 500 high school students in a day long mathematics competition in various classrooms across campus. The winners will advance to a final round that will take place in Strong Auditorium later that day. The top competitors from this event will move on to a state wide competition later this spring.

Be sure to check back next week for a post-event write up and pictures!

-Scott

Getting ready for NROTC 2010

2010-02-23T09:01:00.001-05:00

Earlier this month I traveled to Lexington, Virginia to discuss plans for this October’s Association of NROTC Colleges and Universities’ Annual Conference. Virginia Military Institute will be this year’s host and retired Colonel and Association representative Woody Sadler met with me to discuss logistics.

The Holiday Inn Express-Lexington will be our hotel for Association members during their stay, as well as Thursday evening’s Executive Committee Meeting, New Member Orientation and Welcome Reception.

Yes, that’s snow you see in the picture! Actually, when I left Lexington there was more snow on the ground there than when I returned to Rochester. And they were expecting two more feet that coming weekend!

Usually Saturday’s main business meeting is held at the hotel where our Association members stay, however VMI is able to do something different this year. The Naval ROTC department has a new building on campus, and is willing to have our Saturday meeting on campus this year. One of their state of the art classrooms will perfectly accommodate our Saturday business meeting.

Because we will be meeting on a traditional college campus this year on Saturday, our lunch plans will change as well. VMI has agreed to have us eat in their mess hall on campus, with cadets as our lunch hosts. I ate lunch on campus with Woody while I was there and it was very good!

Lastly, Woody and I met with VMI’s Alumni Office to discuss plans for Saturday evening’s cocktail reception and dinner. Both will take place in Moody Alumni Hall, a very historic building with a lot of character.

There’s still much planning that needs to be done for October, such as catering, transportation, Navy Day, etc. but I think we are in very good shape for this year’s conference. Special thanks to Woody Sadler at VMI for being my tour guide during my stay. Woody gave me a great tour of both Lexington and VMI, and access to areas not many “civilians” would be able to see.

And a very special thank you to Tom Osella, general manager of the Holiday Inn Express-Lexington. Tom brought me to the Radford-VMI basketball game while I was there. Fun game to watch but not a lot of defense as Radford downed VMI; 111-84.

-Scott

C&E and NROTC

2010-01-27T13:28:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite parts of my job in the Conference and Events Office is working with the Association of NROTC Colleges and Universities.

The Association of NROTC Colleges and Universities was formed shortly after the end of World War II. Dr. Frederic L. Hovde, then President of Purdue University, took the lead in forming the Association, whose goal would be “to encourage the exchange of information and opinion between member institutions, and between these institutions and the United States Navy, looking toward the greatest possible success in the operation of the NROTC program.” This remains the goal of the Association to this day.

As Administrator to this professional society, I oversee their annual budget, invoicing of annual dues, publication of their annual report and their annual conference. I am currently going on my third year as working as the Association’s Administrator, and the annual conference is the highlight of the year for me.

The annual conference includes discussion of Association affairs (budgets, elections of officers and members of the Executive Committee, venues for future meetings). Though Association representatives are encouraged to submit agenda items, the focus of each meeting has typically been a Situation Report from a member of the Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) staff. The Situation report – followed (or, often, interrupted) by questions and discussion – presents an overview of the NROTC program (deemed helpful for new representatives) as well as updates on current issues facing or initiatives contemplated by NSTC and/or the Department of the Navy. Upon request, NSTC staff include in the Situation Report discussion of concerns identified by representatives prior to the meeting.

Our annual conference, usually held in October, rotates to a different host-school each year. The past two years I have been fortunate enough to work with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fl and the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC.

While I enjoy all parts of the annual conference, the best part to me is our annual Navy Day that takes place on Friday of the conference. This gives Association members an up close look at some of the newest advances in Navy training. Two years ago our Navy Day was a trip to Kennedy Space Center in Cocoa, Fl, and this past year Navy Day was held at the Navy Nuclear Power School and Patriot’s Point in Charleston, South Carolina.

Pictures I have taken at the past two annual conferences can be found here and here.

2009 Association of NROTC Colleges and Universities Conference

I am currently planning the 2010 annual conference, which will take place in Lexington, VA. Virginia Military Academy will be the Association’s host this year. Next week I am flying down to Lexington to meet with the representative from VMI, as well as local hotels for a site visit. I’ve never been to Lexington before, and am looking forward to my visit there.

We will discuss contract negotiations with the area hotels, bus schedules and contracts, meal logistics, audio/visual needs, and hopefully I will have enough time to squeeze in time for a VMI vs. Radford basketball game on Tuesday night! I will be sure to post a blog when I get back telling you all about my trip.

A lot of people I talk to are surprised to hear our office works with a professional society, but it is just one of many services our office can provide. Are you looking for someone to help you with a professional society that you are a member of? Feel free to call me at (585) 273-1765 or drop me an email at scott.verrenti@rochester.edu.

-Scott

Riverview Apartments

2010-01-05T09:01:00.001-05:00

Riverview Apartments, located on South Plymouth Avenue, are now available to accommodate your department’s conference groups. We also welcome community groups.

The apartments are easily accessible to the river campus via a pedestrian bridge and provide an affordable alternative to hotel accommodations.

This new facility offers amenities such as air conditioning and separate living rooms and kitchens and there is ample parking available to guests. There are a combination of two and four-bedroom units which provide increased options for conference attendees or extended stay groups. In addition, each building has laundry and vending facilities available.

For further information on summer conference housing, please contact the Conference and Events Office at (585) 275-4111.

Photos courtesy of Res Life.

In the works: COSYNE 2010

2009-12-09T11:18:00.002-05:00

Denise is well under way with preparations for COSYNE 2010, another event our office assists in planning. If you're looking for assistance planning your next conference, contact Scott Verrenti at (585) 273-1765.

-Kaitlin

_ _ _ _ _ _

A little bit about the COSYNE conference (from cosyne.org):

The first Cosyne meeting, held in 2004 at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, drew over 350 participants. Since 2005, the meeting has been held in Salt Lake City, Utah. It has attracted a growing number of participants, from nearly 400 in 2005 to over 500 in 2009.

Cosyne topics include but are not limited to: neural coding, natural scene statistics, dendritic computation, neural basis of persistent activity, nonlinear receptive field mapping, representations of time and sequence, reward systems, decision-making, synaptic plasticity, map formation and plasticity, population coding, attention, computation with spiking networks.

UR New Hire Orientation at Staybridge Suites

2009-12-07T09:29:00.000-05:00

Did you know the University of Rochester New Hire Orientation takes place at the Staybridge Suites on Mondays and Tuesdays?

Just another great location for your next meeting, training or reception! Call Conference and Events at (585) 275-4111 for more information or email Kaitlin Gray, Event Assistant.

For more photos, visit our Facebook page! And don't forget to become a fan by December 15 to be entered into our iTunes giftcard giveaway!

-Kaitlin

Looking for space for your next event?

2009-12-03T10:14:00.002-05:00

The Munnerlyn Atrium in the BME Optics Building is a great location on campus for receptions, presentations, informational fairs and more! The University's student-run Swing Club even meets in Munnerlyn! For more information on utilizing this great space, call the Conference & Events office at (585) 275-4111 or email Kaitlin Gray, Event Assistant.

For more photos of the Atrium, visit the Conference & Events Facebook page! Become a fan by December 15 and be eligible to win a $25 iTunes gift card!

-Kaitlin

3rd Annual Simon School Convocation

2009-10-07T11:07:00.005-04:00

The 3rd Annual Simon Graduate School of Business Convocation was held on Thursday, September 24, 2009 in the Interfaith Chapel. The annual Convocation kicks off the new Simon School academic year.

This year’s Convocation included remarks from Robert Witmer, Jr.; Chair Emeritus of the University of Rochester’s Board of Trustees, Ralph Kuncl; University of Rochester’s Provost and Executive Vice President, Mark Zupan; Dean of the Simon Graduate School of Business, Ricardo Medeiros; President of the Simon School Graduate Business Council and a Convocation Address by Gino Santini; Senior Vice President of Corporate and Business Development at Eli Lilly and Company and Simon School Class of 1983.

Following the academic ceremony, a reception was held in the Rotunda in Schlegel Hall.

For video footage of Convocation, visit the C&E YouTube page!

-Scott

Welcome to the new academic year Simon students!

2009-09-18T12:01:00.004-04:00

Please join us on Thursday, September 24 to celebrate the opening of the 2009-2010 academic year at the third annual William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration Convocation. This wonderful tradition welcomes the newest students to the Simon School, while celebrating the student and faculty interests that make the Rochester experience so unique.

Convocation will take place at 4:30pm in the Interfaith Chapel. The ceremony will feature remarks by Gino Santini, '83 , the Senior Vice President of Eli Lilly & Company, as well as Ricardo Medeiros, '10, president of the Simon School Graduate Business Council.

We encourage you to attend the Convocation ceremony to welcome our newest students and reacquaint yourself with the Simon community. We hope to see you there!

2009 Health and Wellness Fair

2009-09-14T13:07:00.004-04:00

Next week, The University of Rochester is making their employees’ health a priority.

On September 22, 23 and 24, the U of R Human Resources Benefits Office invites U of R employees to take a break from their busy schedules and learn how to get fit, eat more healthfully and reduce their stress at the 2009 Health and Wellness Fair.

Conference and Events has been assisting to make sure the fair will be a success and an opportunity for employees to educate themselves and learn how to improve their health.

It’s been an eye-opener assisting HR with their fair; the U of R offers a wide-variety of programs and information aimed at keeping their employees healthy – some we didn’t even know about! Everything from yoga classes, assistance quitting smoking, mapped out walking paths and weight management support is available to employees.

Information at the fair will be provided from vendors such as Aetna, Excellus, WELL-U, URMC Fitness and Wellness Center, the American Heart Association, the Eye Institute and the City of Rochester Fire Department, to name a few (for a full list of vendors, please visit the WELL-U website).

Raffle prizes, giveaways and free biometric screenings (for employees, spouses and domestic partners covered by the University Health Care plans) are just a few things to expect at this year’s fair.

The fair will be held in two different locations around the University.

September 22, 2009
10am – 4pm
Medical Center, Arthur Kornberg Bldg. (Atrium)

September 23, 2009
10am – 4pm
Medical Center, Arthur Kornberg Bldg. (Atrium)

September 24, 2009
10am – 4pm
River Campus, Wilson Commons (May Room)

The Benefits Office and WELL-U are happy to sponsor this event. Please visit the WELL-U website for more information.

-Kaitlin

C&E Video

2009-09-10T15:15:00.002-04:00

Did you know that the Conference and Events Office has a YouTube Page? Clips from past events can be found at www.youtube.com/user/URConferenceEvents.

Energy for the 21st Century

2009-09-09T13:05:00.006-04:00

The Conference and Events Office planned the 1st-ever Energy for the 21st Century Conference that took place on Thursday, April 30, 2009 in the Robert B. Goergen Hall for Biomedical Engineering and Optics. Over 200 conference attendees heard experts within the field of energy from around the world during this all-day symposium.

During lunch, remarks were made by University of Rochester President Joel Seligman, New York State Senator Joe Robach, and New York State Assemblyman David Koon.

For video footage, visit the C&E YouTube page!

More pictures from the event can be found at: http://energyforthe21stcentury.shutterfly.com.

-Scott

The Biodiesel Bus' Maiden Voyage

2009-09-09T12:59:00.005-04:00

Before we get too far into the new academic year, I did want to mention some of the great events that took place at the end of last academic year. The Conference and Events Office assisted with the Biodiesel Bus’ Maiden Voyage that took place on Wednesday, April 22, 2009.

A group of University of Rochester undergraduates converted excess fryer oil from Campus Dining Services into biodiesel to fuel shuttle buses. Following remarks from those involved with the project, faculty, students and staff boarded the Biodiesel bus for it’s maiden voyage around campus, with a stop at the biodiesel lab for a tour of its facility.

More pictures from this event can be found at: http://biodiesellaunch.shutterfly.com.

-Scott

Our 1st Blog Entry

2009-09-09T12:46:00.003-04:00

Welcome to the University of Rochester’s Conference and Event’s Blog! The purpose of our blog is to provide you with details on some of our upcoming events, pictures and video clips of our past events, as well as our Conference Manager’s thoughts on what it takes to pull off these events.

Feel free to give us feedback on our events, or suggestions to make our interactive pages even better. We hope to be posting lots of new and exciting things within the next few weeks, so keep checking back for updates!

-Scott