VAECE 54th Annual Conference

March 18-20, 2010

Keynote Speakers:

Thursday Motivational Luncheon Keynote:

Diane Trister Dodge, M.S.

“Play in the Age of Outcomes: What Early Childhood Educators and Families Need to Know”

• Special Infant/Toddler workshop presented by Diane Trister Dodge on Thursday, 8:00–9:45 a.m. in Marriott Salon 4/5:  Making Play Count with Infants, Toddlers, and Twos

Friday Banquet Keynote:

William Strader, Ph.D.

“Play in the Lives of Young Children: Can We Still Play in an Age of Accountability?

Saturday Closing Session:

Tod Faller

“Don’t just Play... be a Power Player!”

Thursday Events

Thursday - The Boomerangs!

Don’t miss The Boomerangs! Live band & classic rock music, dancing, and good times! Thursday at 8PM! Visit their website today to hear their songs and get jazzed for this LIVE performance!

Friday Events

Friday Evening - Student Social

Students and Young Professionals gather to celebrate their growth and success! Don’t miss this chance to network with professionals, and learn about available services and resources.

Friday - Rally for Children with

Mission: Readiness

Join us at the Rally for Children, Friday at 11:30 AM, to learn about Mission: Readiness and their committment to supporting early childhood education inititatives. Mission: Readiness is the nonprofit, bi-partisan organization led by senior retired military leaders ensuring continued American security and prosperity into the 21st century by calling for smart investments in the next generation of American children.

Click here to learn more about the Rally!

Friday Evening - Student Social

Students and Young Professionals gather to celebrate their growth and success! Don’t miss this chance to network with professionals, and learn about available services and resources.

Friday - All Day

Morning Sessions

9:00 AM: “Social Media in Early Childhood Programs”
Presenter: Paige Beatty, President-Elect, Northern Virginia AEYC

10:00 AM: “The Ins and Outs of Facebook - A How-to Guide”
Presenter: Danielle Murray, President-Elect, Southwest Virginia AEYC

11:00 AM: “The Ins and Outs of Twitter - A How-to Guide”
Presenter: Cate Heroman, Vice President, Curriculum and Assessment, Teaching Strategies, Inc.

Afternoon Sessions

1:00 PM: “Open Forum: Technology 101”
Presenter: Sara Dix Golden, Staff Manager, VAECE

2:00 PM: “Panel: Technology and the Local Chapter”
Panelists: VAECE Local Chapter Leadership

3:00 PM: “Life in an Electronic Age - Business vs. Pleasure, Using Technology Appropriately"
Presenter: Sara Dix Golden, Staff Manager, VAECE

Tech Room @Conference sponsored by:

Early Childhood Tours

UPDATED INFORMATION

Cost of each Tour: $15.00.

Please sign up for tours on the registration form.

This information was updated on January 29, 2010. Due to scheduling conflcit, the tours will now be on Friday and Saturday, your choices.

Please email vaecehotline@aol.com for information on tour schedules and registration.

Tour 1:

Friday - 8:30 AM

The Early Childhood Program at the Dora L. Lewis Family & Child Dev. Center welcomes children of all faiths to join in the exploration of Judaism, an integral part of its curriculum. (NAEYC Accred. Program)

Tour 2:

Friday - 10:30 AM

Tour 3:

Saturday - 8:45 AM and 10:30 AM

VCU Health Systems Child Care Center at N-Deck is NAEYC Accredited and offers extensive hours, including Saturdays for working families.

Visit the Model

Playground Room

- Featuring MaxPlayFit!

Exhibit Hall Activities

New in 2010 is the VAECE Lounge! Your place to meet up with friends, particpiate in meaningful discussions, and meet with exhibitors one-on-one!

Located in the back left corner of the Exhibit Hall, this space will feature cafe tables and chairs - a place to talk, relax, and meet up with friends. There will be something different each day!

Thursday morning is just for you.....it's the "meet n'greet" prime location. Tell your friends, new and old, to meet you here at the start of the Conference. Centrally located and just the right size to locate your conference partners, you can jump start your day with the exciting exhibits as you head off to your first session. No more wandering about looking for your friends! Click here for a "meet me in the Lounge card"....you can print this out and hand to your friends.

On Thursday afternoon, join us in the Lounge for the Grand Opening Reception ... great food and live music with Cathy and Ross Bolinger!

All day Friday, the VAECE Lounge will host different opportunities for attendees to discuss hot topics, meet the speakers, and network. Stop by a table to learn more about advocacy, quality initiatives, play, leadership, and more!

On Saturday morning, attendees are invited to attend the VAECE Membership Meeting at 8 AM. Coffee and light breakfast will be available. Make sure to stop by and hear updates from your president, Mary Landis, about your membership beneifits, public policy, and see "who's who" get awarded for their dedication and hard work! Click here for the minutes from last year's meeting.

After the membership meeting, stay around and meet Farmer Minor and Daisy!

At 10 AM, Farmer Minor and Daisy, the famous pot-bellied pig, will be stopping by! The pair have performed "Pig Out on Reading"  programs across the U.S. for over 10 years! Don't miss your chance to meet Farmer Minor and take your photo with Daisy! Click here to visit their website.

And on Saturday afternoon, Directors/Administrators/Principals are invited for a special “Director Only” time to meet with Exhibitors. During this time, vendors will be available for one-on-one consultations and demos. Tables and chairs will be available for document review and placing on-site orders!

Not registered for Conference? That's ok! We want to make sure you can still attend this invitation-only event in the Exhibit Hall! If you are not registered for Conference, click here for a 2 hour pass to the Exhibit Hall on Saturday. Gratis!

Plan now to visit the VAECE Lounge! There’s something for everyone!