Guidelines

For members considering hosting a Western Alliance Conference:

Western Alliance Conference Guidelines

These are meant to be of assistance; for every “rule” there may be some circumstance for which it may be modified.

The Western Alliance is not a legal entity. It consists of four autonomous planetarium associations in the western United States:

Conference Site Selection

A potential Western Alliance conference host should send a formal invitation in writing to the president of each of the four Western Alliance regions at least a year (preferably two) before the conference so that it may be discussed at the associations’ business meetings. The invitation should include endorsement by the President/Director/Manager of the host institution. Additional regionals may also be invited if appropriate.

Each regional selects the conference location they prefer, usually during a business meeting. The regionals share their choices, and should there be differing opinions, ideas and arguments will be shared until consensus is arrived at. Also a regional could decide to have their own conference independent of the others.

Conference Dates

Try to avoid dates conflicting with South East Planetarium Association (SEPA), Mid Atlantic Planetarium Society (MAPS) Great Lakes Planetarium Association (GLPA), International Planetarium Society (IPS), Live Interactive Planetarium Symposium (LIPS), and Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC).

THINGS TO DO BEFORE THE CONFERENCE

The conference host should work closely with the Presidents of the four regional societies. Seek professional advice and consult with experienced conference hosts. Consider having a conference theme and/or name.

Prepare a calendar of when to accomplish all the wonderful things tasks below.

DURING THE CONFERENCE:

AFTER THE CONFERENCE:

map of WAC regions