2012 Silverpoint User Conference

June 14th and 15th at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C.

Plan Meet Explore

The one-day strategy workshops have been great, but many clients told us they also wanted a User Conference. So we are pleased to invite you to join us this June for two days of hands-on workshops, roundtables and thought-provoking presentations. Our goal is to give you a chance to meet with Silverpoint and your peers, plan for a great year, and explore ways to improve the effectiveness of your school's online presence.

A Great Value

The cost of the User Conference is $250 per person which includes attendance on both days, all meals and activities. There is also an optional reservation for Day 1 and dinner for $200.

All Are Welcome

Even if you aren't a Silverpoint client, we'd love to have you join us for Thursday's program and dinner. We look forward to seeing you there! Be sure to select "Day 1 Only" on the registration page, and we'll take care of the rest.

Presenter Discount

One of the great things about the conference is hearing from your peers. If your presentation topic is accepted (see form at right) we'll give you a 50% discount.

Conference Schedule

8:15 Registration Opens - Continental Breakfast
8:45
 Tour of Sidwell Friends School including the world's first LEED Platinum K-12 building
*** PLEASE NOTE: Our hosts at Sidwell have asked us to avoid arriving between 8:45-9:15 ***
9:30 Registration Resumes
9:45
 Introduction and Keynote Address - Going Mobile (Silverpoint president Angelo Otterbein)
10:45 5-Minute Crowdsource - Part I
10:50 Taking Stock - Where do I fit, and what is my strategy?
11:45  Break
12:00 Metrics I - Tools and Techniques for Measuring Success
Data Integration - Building a Data Plan
New Approaches to Building Publications Online
1:00 Lunch
2:00 Advanced Parchment - Permissions, Web Part Templates, Forms, and More
Broadcast Email & Newsletters
What's My SEO Score?
3:00 Social Media I - Content Strategies
SchoolSuite Reports, Site Statistics, & Google Webmaster Tools
Search Engine Optimization - Organic Strategies
4:00 Break
4:15 Strategic Alignment - Mapping School Goals to Website Tactics
SchoolSuite Under the Hood: Features, Shortcuts & Tips
Just Do It - Choose Your Topic
5:15 5-Minute Crowdsource - Part II
5:20 Day 1 Wrap-Up
6:00 Drinks & Dinner

Sidwell Friends School and Nearby Hotels

Who Should Attend?

Site Managers
Hear about the latest features in SchoolSuite and share tips and tricks with Silverpoint and your colleagues

Communications
Explore recent developments in school communications and hear from your peers about what's working and what's not

Technology
Get the details on Silverpoint's development plans and integration strategies.

Admissions
Learn about trends in admissions communications and find out how you can best express your identity and value proposition to prospective families

Development
Find out how your website and third party systems like Google and Facebook can all work together to reach alumni and donors

How will this differ from the workshops?

The User Conference will give us more time to talk through important topics in both large and small groups.  We'll also have a chance to break-out into sessions related to particular school roles (communications, advancement, etc.) and spend more time with Silverpoint staff.  Finally, we'll have some informal down time to share ideas and blow off some steam.  The conference should inspire new ideas for the upcoming school year and help you outline an action plan for the summer. So get inspired, share ideas, then go back and make it happen!

Travel & Lodging

Area airports:

Washington, DC
Reagan National (DCA)
Ground Transportation Information
Dulles International (IAD)
Ground Transportation Information

Baltimore, MD
 Baltimore/Washington International (BWI)
Ground Transportation Information


Area hotels:

The following is a representative assortment. (Quoted rates are from March 2012 - you may find better deals elsewhere.)

A quick cab ride away:
Savoy Suites Hotel
2505 Wisconsin Ave.
Washington, D.C. 20007
202-337-9700
10% off Best Available Rates
Ask for inside sales and mention Sidwell Friends Rate

Easy to get the Metro:
Embassy Suites - Chevy Chase Pavilion
4300 Military Rd, NW
Washington, D.C. 20015
202-362-9300
Discount Rate for those arriving Thursday
$159 rate King, $179 Double

Economical choice:
Days Inn Connecticut Avenue
4400 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
1-800-952-3060
Approximately $159 per night, parking and breakfast extra.

Further away, but nice and with a discount:
Helix, A Kimpton Hotel
1430 Rhode Island Ave NW

Washington, DC 20005

What should I bring?

We want to make sure you are prepared to get the most out of your time at the conference, so here's a handy checklist of things you may want to bring:

  • Laptop and/or tablet computer
  • A list of objectives for your next year with the website
  • Notepad and pen for notes
  • Login information to all accounts related to website including social media accounts and 3rd party tools
  • One thing you hope to accomplish or learn more about