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2020 AEE International Conference

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VIRTUAL
November 12-14, 2020
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Follow Us For Updates! #AEE48Together

      

TOGETHER THROUGH DISTANCE  

For years, individuals and organizations have looked to the Association for Experiential Education (AEE) as the informational authority in the field. AEE’s mission is to elevate and expand the global capacity of Experiential Education, and to achieve this, we provide opportunities and spaces for the practitioners, researchers and inquirers of experiential education to connect and learn with and from one another. 

In its essence, Experiential Education is challenge and experience followed by reflection; leading to learning and growth. During this challenging time, we’ve seen this community harness the philosophy, principles, and practices of EE to help ourselves, our friends and families, and our communities.

As a membership organization, we are fully dedicated to supporting you, our community. That is why we have made the decision to transition to an entirely virtual conference. 

We have taken into consideration safety concerns, financial and economic situations, and travel restrictions, and have decided that going virtual is the best way to ensure the wellbeing of our community while still providing you all with an engaging and impactful conference. 

This time has brought with it many challenges as we navigate unforeseen change and adversity. But this time has also shown us just how resilient this community is, and we challenge you to tap into your roots of Experiential Education to imagine new and exciting ways to adapt and connect in this virtual realm. 

From November 12-14, AEE’s 48th Annual International Conference will bring attendees together in a virtual setting who share the goals of promoting, defining, developing, and applying theories and practices of EE. We believe it is our responsibility to provide the inclusive setting in which this kind of collaboration can be fostered. Our Conference is designed to create the shared space where you can grow your career, discover valuable new strategies to integrate into your work, and develop lasting personal and professional relationships. 

With hundreds of members from around the world, we recognize and champion the fact that Experiential Education represents a broad spectrum of professional fields and backgrounds, and our Annual Conference provides the space for this diverse community to come together. We hope that by transitioning to a virtual conference, we will actually be able to reach more attendees than ever before and make this incredible 48-year tradition even more accessible.

We encourage you to use this friendly space to connect, discover, expand, and refresh. Find people who work and study in many areas; including K-12 education, colleges and universities, recreation, outdoor and adventure programming, therapy and mental health, youth development, programming for people with disabilities, service learning, and organizational development. Educational opportunities abound throughout the conference in areas of trauma informed care, technology in the outdoors, emotional resilience, servant leadership, risk management and much, much more. 

We are all in this Experiential Education community together, and we strive to make our conference the hub for virtual connections that cross any boundaries of profession, background, or border. 

So, break out your flannels, feel free to keep your pajama pants on, and join us in November!

So, how exactly will the 2020 Conference impact you?

CONNECT with the Global Experiential Community

  • Want to meet some amazing people who practice what they teach? At AEE you can connect with some of the leaders and innovators in our industry - authors, researchers, professors, and organizational founders. We are intentionally designing many virtual spaces for informal networking, so you will have plenty of opportunities to meet, chat, and make meaningful connections.
  • Have a question about the data behind EE? Organizations and programs will have abundant opportunities to discuss quantitative and qualitative results with the researchers performing those studies to help inform future programming. 

 

DISCOVER what is happening in Experiential Ed 

  • How is EE taught, shared, and studied in other cultures? Boost your informed facilitation by learning from practitioners from all over the world. 

  • New to EE? Our Conference will expose you to all areas of the field, kick-start networking, and help you see the full scope of what is possible with a future in EE.

  • EE foundations have deep roots and are constantly growing with their environment. Learn from the trailblazers of a wide array of EE practices, standards, and initiatives. Learn how others are adapting their work and programs during this time.

 

EXPAND your Experiential world

  • Looking to modify and/or advance your practice? Our Conference will provide collaborative spaces for you to learn from and with other professionals using EE in different ways. Learn and be inspired by how others are navigating new challenges.

  • Curious about what is happening with EE in other parts of the world? With the diversity of attendees, you’ll have countless opportunities to learn about the global impact of EE.

  • Find yourself saying things like, “I need someone to train my staff.”? Increase your professional network by collaborating with trainers in the many facets of facilitation and practice during our robust workshop offerings. 


REFRESH your Experiential self and your personal self 

  • Have you been ‘stuck in a rut’ doing the same initiatives over and over again? Need new, inclusive language for your participant liability waiver? Want to find new ways to engage your students, team, or community? Get your questions answered and discover ways to grow professionally and personally. 

  • Need to hit the reset button in order to bring your best self to your practice, studies, work, or life? One of the most common things we hear from attendees is that they leave our conferences feeling refreshed and re-energized. Rest assured that with our virtual conference programming, you’ll leave with the momentum and inspiration to take on your next goal.

 

Take a look at just some of the incredible programming we are offering this year:

  • ActivatEE 

    • ActivatEE is a sharing platform designed by AEE members for attendees to participate in during the International Conference. ActivatEE is a developmental process, both for the speaker and the audience, where we share ideas, test assumptions, and are asked to view a perspective through a different lens. It is designed to facilitate the process of creating one’s story, inspiring the use of one’s voice, and launching an idea - all on the virtual stage during a conference keynote. 

  • The Marina Ewald and Kurt Hahn Address

    • Annually, the Board of Directors invites a leader in experiential education who has contributed to the development and advancement of experiential education to present the Marina Ewald and Kurt Hahn Address.  

  • Collaborate Sessions 

    • We will provide spaces and time for you to make meaningful connections and chat with smaller groups while at the AEE conference. To help facilitate these links between attendees, we have developed Collaborate Sessions in which individuals who share like-minded ethos can come together for facilitated conversations and sharing. Possible session themes include LGBTQ+, BIPOC, Therapeutic, Women Professionals, Outdoor/Wilderness Programs, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Emerging Professionals/Students, Nonprofits, Training and Development Professionals, Accessibility, Environment/Sustainability. *categories subject to change!

  • The Symposium on Experiential Education Research (SEER) 

    • The Symposium on Experiential Education Research (SEER) provides an outlet and venue for researchers in the field of experiential education to present, share, dialogue, and further develop their ideas. The symposium involves the presentation of research papers from leading international scholars in the field of experiential education.  The Submission Window Has Closed. 

  • Extended Education Workshops 

    • Prior to the start and after the closing of the conference, in-depth workshops and activities are offered to provide extended opportunities for professional development and to enhance the Conference experience. Stay tuned for announcements!

  • Workshops / Education Sessions 

    • Workshops are the foundation and the fulcrum from which attendees and presenters alike are able to rejuvenate and sustain momentum in this great work. They provide a time to present our collective resources and knowledge to elevate and advocate for EE. Presentations are rigorously reviewed and evaluated, as we strive to make sure our workshops are the most informative, innovative and entertaining in our industry. Register for sessions, build your personal agenda, and connect virtually with speakers and attendees alike. Did you know? ALL live workshops, sessions, and keynotes will be recorded! Have a conflict during a session? No problem, you'll be able to access all recordings on-demand in the conference platform after the conference concludes. The Submission Window Has Closed. 

  • Poster Presentations 

    • We provide the opportunity for those who wish to present information on research, programs, and ideas to do so in the form of a virtual poster presentation. Presenters will prepare their presentation in advance and have opportunities to answer questions, provide information, and offer follow-up opportunities for those who are interested. The Submission Window Has Closed. 

  • CEU’s

    • Colorado State University-Pueblo in partnership with the AEE is proud to offer attendees of the 2020 AEE International Conference the opportunity to gain Continuing Education Units (CEU) issued under the seal of CSU–Pueblo’s Division of Extended Studies. Demonstrating your earned CEUs to your organization or employer can help increase your chance for promotion, salary raises, or chance to make a career transition as it demonstrates your commitment to continued education, enhancing your marketability as an employee.


  • Attendee Networking Opportunities 

    • Yes, you can have fun AND make meaningful and lasting connections! This new conference format will provide exciting and dynamic networking opportunities for attendees, exhibitors, and presenters. You can:

        • Customize your attendee profile

        • Join a virtual meet-up with other attendees in your AEE Region

        • Join virtual Collaborate Sessions to network and connect with other attendees in your area of practice or ethos

        • Participate in the live feed chat room on the home page to share news, tell us how your presentation or session went, ask questions, share photos, and more!

        • Connect one-on-one with award winners, presenters, and other attendees and exchange contact information

        • Participate in group networking sessions and other fun events!

        • Register for as many events as you'd like and build your custom schedule
        • Explore the exhibit hall and network with brands, nonprofits, organizations, and programs
        • Can't attend a session? Have a conflict during a keynote? Don't worry, ALL sessions, workshops, and keynotes will be recorded and made available on-demand in the conference platform for you to access at any time.

  • Virtual Exhibit Hall 

    • Attendees: Check out the virtual exhibit booths and connect with awesome vendors, organizations, and teams!

      • Attend a live video session 
      • Request more information from booth staff or schedule a meeting
      • Find exclusive discounts and promotions
      • Interact with exhibitors and you could win a prize from AEE at the end of the conference! 
      • Network with programs, brands, nonprofits, and more

    • Exhibitors/Sponsors: Want to exhibit or sponsor? Check out our exhibitor/sponsor opportunities!

      • Customize your exhibitor profile (add videos, downloadable materials, links, photos, and more!)
      • Host live video sessions with attendees
      • Connect with attendees individually
      • Advertise and highlight your product, program, service, and more!
      • There will be dedicated times in the schedule for attendees to explore the exhibit hall, however, the exhibit hall is always open - so attendees will be able to view your profile and interact with your booth at any time!

 

Follow Us For Updates! #AEE48Together