What to know before you go

by | Jul 6, 2018 | Before You Go | 0 comments

The College Media Mega Workshop is next week, which means it’s time to get packing!

We can’t wait to meet all of you. This is truly a unique conference, with a wide variety of tracks, almost 350 attendees and stellar instructors. These four days will make a real, significant impact on you and your publication. Are you ready?

Here’s what you need (and what you won’t). Pay special attention to the list for your specific track. If your track isn’t listed, there is nothing extra for you to bring.

Registration

Registration will begin at 8 a.m. on Thursday, July 12. Sessions will begin at 10 a.m. Registration will be in Murphy Hall, and the opening session will be in room 100 of Smith Hall.

Parking

For instructors or attendees who are commuting each day, we recommend parking in the Washington Avenue Ramp, just down the street from Murphy Hall. Parking at this ramp is $12 per day.

Lodging

Check-in at the residence halls is 1 p.m. but you can arrive anytime after that. Make sure you have a photo ID when you check in. You can view an interactive map of the campus here. Upon check-in, you will receive your room key, building card access and parking pass (if you purchased one).

Students who have registered for the dorms should check this list to see if you’ll be rooming in Comstock Hall (210 Delaware St SE) or Yudof Hall (220 Delaware Street SE).

Advisers who have registered for the dorms will stay in Yudof Hall, located at 220 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455.

Parking for those who have paid for it during online registration the East River Road Garage. You’ll receive your parking pass when you check in at the dorm. If you did not pre-register for parking, you will need to pay the regular daily rate as you enter/exit.

What to bring:

  • A photo ID (will be needed to check into the dorms)
  • Personal care items, such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, etc.
  • Small carrying case or plastic bucket to carry toiletries
  • Flip-flops for shower
  • Clothes hangers
  • Laundry bag and detergent (if you plan to do laundry)

What NOT to bring:

  • Towels, bedding and pillow (these are provided)
  • Guns, ammunition or any other weapons or firecrackers
  • Electrical appliances or cooking appliances
  • Multiple outlet (octopus) power strips
  • Candles and candle warmers, incense, hookah or any other materials that have the potential for an open flame

Ground Transportation

There are a few options for getting to campus from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, all of which are available at the airport terminals. Google Maps is extremely helpful, and can offer up-to-date public transit times and more.

Metro Transit: The Blue Line train (northbound) stops at the MSP airport terminals 1 and 2. Transfer to the Green Line train (eastbound) at the U.S. Bank Stadium Station stop. Get off at the East Bank Station & Platform, and Comstock and Yudof Halls are just a few minutes’ walk away. Fare is normally $1.75, but increases to $2.25 during rush hour periods (6-9 a.m. and 3-6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday).

SuperShuttle: You can take a SuperShuttle from the airport directly to Comstock or Yudof Hall.

Taxi: Taxi service at Terminal 1 is accessible via the Tram Level (Level T). Signs direct passengers one level up to the taxi starter booth, where airport staff will assist passengers in obtaining a taxi. At Terminal 2, taxi service is available at the Ground Transport Center, located on the ground level of the Purple Ramp directly across from the terminal building.

Lyft: Your ride should pick you up from Terminal 1 on Level 2 of the Green Parking Ramp, above the transportation center. Pick up from Terminal 2 is available from the Ground Transport Center, on the ground level of the Purple parking ramp.

What to Bring

  • Laptop to do work on (computer lab space is limited)
  • Money for food (all meals are on your own)
  • A notebook/pen or laptop for note-taking
  • Resumes, portfolios, links to personal websites, etc. if you’d like to have them critiqued
  • Extra copies of your publication for exchange throughout the weekend
  • Charging cords for your computer and phone
  • Light sweater or jacket in case the rooms get cold

Ad Rep Boot Camp:

  • Copy of your media kit/rate card
  • Three regular newspaper editions
  • 1-2 special sections
  • Radio Management:
  • Portable recording device of your choice

Design/Redesign:

  • Packaged (with fonts and images) InDesign files and PDFs of past published pages
  • Font files you are considering for your redesign
  • USB flash drive
  • Laptop with Adobe Creative Suite installed, if you have one

Digital Journalism:

  • Recording/reporting device(s) you are most comfortable with (smartphone, DSLR camera, audio recorder, video camera, etc.)
  • Organizational Leadership:
  • Copies of your publications for critique and to show

Sports Reporting:

  • Laptop
  • Smartphone

Visual Storytelling:

  • DSLR Camera and lenses
  • Smartphone
  • Laptop with Adobe Photoshop and Bridge (or other photo editing software) installed
  • USB flash drive