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Call for Convention Hosts

CALL FOR HOSTS:
ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE MEDIA ECOLOGY ASSOCIATION 
Preliminary Deadline: DECEMBER 15, 2015

Invitation to Apply

The Media Ecology Association (MEA) invites applications from institutional sites around the world willing to host the Association’s annual convention. Currently, the MEA is seeking sites to host the Annual Convention for 2017 and beyond.

The convention, during which approximately 150–200 members gather, is held each June. Typically, the convention runs three full days, from Thursday through Sunday morning. The choice of weekend is generally left to the discretion of the host. (See the list of past convention sites below.)

All proposals will be evaluated by the MEA Board of Directors. Board members are also available via email to answer questions. All proposals should be submitted via email to Sheila J. Nayar, at snayar{at}greensboro.edu.

Deadlines for Applying

First preference for 2017 sites will be given to proposals received by December 15, 2015. However, all applications will be considered until a suitable site is found.

Applicants interested in hosting for 2017 and beyond are encouraged to attend the 2015 MEA Convention (Metropolitan State University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, June 11–14, 2015), during which there will be ample opportunity to meet with members of the MEA Board of Directors.

Guidelines for Applying

We offer some guidelines for applying below. (We also urge applicants to read the MEA Convention Planning Manual before writing up their proposal. The manual is available through the MEA website.) There is no length requirement, but please make proposals as comprehensive as possible. If additional information or clarification is needed, the MEA Board of Directors may contact you directly.

Site Specifics

  1. Do you have a specific year in mind for hosting the convention? What dates in June do you propose? Describe the specific site – i.e., city, educational institution, various buildings in which the convention would be held.
  2. What is your site’s capacity? What rooms are available (e.g., classrooms for breakout sessions, meeting halls, exhibition space, banquet space) and what are their capacities? What technological support is available (e.g., Internet, projectors)?
  3. What is your location’s accessibility? Is it convenient for those traveling from points around the country and world?
  4. Though it is not a requirement for hosting, can on-campus housing (e.g., dorm rooms, university-affiliated residences) be provided? If so, for how many, and at what cost? Are nearby hotels available for members who wish to remain off campus? If so, can those hotels offer discounts to members? Can special deals with hotels be arranged?
  5. Though it is not a requirement for hosting, can on-campus dining be provided? Can you provide complimentary beverages during the course of the day (e.g., coffee, water)? Can you provide complimentary breakfast? What are the potentials for your hosting/sponsoring receptions, lunches, and dinners?
  6. Though it is not a requirement for hosting, are there special tours that can be offered and/or attractions that attendees might like to visit? Are there locations at which dinners/receptions might be held? What social events do you envision?

Support, Funding, and Affordability

  1. What kind and what level of financial support will your site provide? Are there commitments for funds for the conference? If so, are these commitments firm?
  2. Are there opportunities for partnerships and sponsorships that your site can uniquely provide?
  3. If possible, please provide a simple business plan that lays out estimated incoming and outgoing monies.

Hosting Specifics

  1. Do you have someone in mind, either from the hosting location or from another location, who can serve as Convention Coordinator?
  2. Are there any exceptions to the MEA Convention Planning Manual’s guidelines that need to be taken into account in order for you to be able to host the convention in the way you would like?
  3. Do you envision a particular theme for the convention? (A theme is optional, but if you wish to have one, your theme must be approved by the MEA.) Do you have any plenary speakers or particular sessions in mind? (Please note that some plenary events are determined by the Board, and all others are determined in consultation with the Board.)
  4. Are there any special ways that your institution furthers the interdisciplinary and/or international nature of the Media Ecology Association?
  5. If you have not organized a conference before, think carefully about your organizational network and distribution of labor, as well as about contingency plans in the case of changes in people or funding arrangements.

Past and Forthcoming MEA Convention Sites

  • 1st Annual Convention, Fordham University, New York, NY, USA, June 16–17, 2000
  • 2nd Annual Convention, New York University, New York, NY, USA, June 15–16, 2001
  • 3rd Annual Convention, Marymount Manhattan College, New York, NY, USA, June 21–23, 2002
  • 4th Annual Convention, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY, USA, June 5–8, 2003
  • 5th Annual Convention, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, USA, June 10–13, 2004
  • 6th Annual Convention, Fordham University, New York, NY, USA, June 22–26, 2005
  • 7th Annual Convention, Boston College, Boston, MA, USA, June 8–11, 2006
  • 8th Annual Convention, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Estado de México, June 6–10, 2007
  • 9th Annual Convention, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA, USA, June 19–22, 2008
  • 10th Annual Convention, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA, June 18–21, 2009
  • 11th Annual Convention, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA, June 10–13, 2010
  • 12th Annual Convention, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, June 23–26, 2011
  • 13th Annual Convention, Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY, USA, June 7–10, 2012
  • 14th Annual Convention, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA, June 20-23, 2013
  • 15th Annual Convention, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada, June 19-22, 2014
  • 16th Annual Convention, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA, June 11–14, 2015
  • 17th Annual Convention, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy, June 23-26, 2016

Revised March 17, 2015