By James Van Howe
Networking Games:
If you haven’t done so already, stop by the OSA booth or IEEE booth in the registration area and pick up your game piece for CLEO:Expo TechPlayground. This was a brilliant idea from the CLEO conference management and the Exhibit Committee.
First, play the game and you have a chance of winning an iPad 3. There has already been one drawing and there are two to go. Tomorrow will be the last day to play. In order to get your name entered in the drawing, you have to get your game board stamped by various companies at the Expo.
What makes this game and idea so fantastic is that it is an easy icebreaker for the wary student. I remember when I was in grad school having no idea how to go up to conference presenters or reps from companies. On the other side of the coin, this game encourages those who are bold enough to branch out. As I went around to various companies, I felt compelled to find out something about them and try to see if my research could fit with their products. It seemed wrong to just go and get the stamp. What I found was that a handful of the companies on the game board did have some connections with my research, companies I never would have visited were it not for this silly game.
Additionally, Newport, one of the companies on the list has a game of their own. Using a mirror mount, you need to steer a beam to hit the duck, bottle, and random objects a-la-carnival style. If you hit enough items fast enough, and in the right order, your name gets entered into a drawing for an ipod touch.
Video Content:
You may have noticed in your conference planner that there is the “play button” icon on various talks. These talks have been recorded and uploaded for “on demand” viewing. This was extremely relieving for me when I realized that I could view many of the talks I had missed because of conflicts. For me this was particularly true of the 50th Anniversary of the Semiconductor Laser Symposium. Because it is out of field for me, I chose to go to other sessions. At first this was a tough decision because of the line-up of such heavy hitters in the symposium. Once I found out about the video content, I relaxed. This entire symposium has been recorded and uploaded. I then changed my itinerary for later days to cast a wider net for viewing talks. Some I will see in person, some back in the hotel room, and some later at home.
Finally, keep an eye out for those kooky Team San Jose folk- the ones responsible for handing out stress reliever hard hats and getting Million Dollar Quartet to play in the lobby for some the impromptu Elvis Rock this morning. I’m waiting for a guerrilla break-dancing team to spontaneously perform a routine during a tutorial. Thanks for keeping it fun Team San Jose!
Posted: 9 May 2012 by
James Van Howe
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