Fall is here, and so is the 2022 ATE Principal Investigators Conference, from October 26th to October 28th, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. This year, the conference is back in-person with a virtual participation component. For projects and centers old and new, the annual PI Conference offers a chance to share experiences, collaborate, learn, and meet other members of the ATE community. While you have probably been preparing already, now is an excellent time to double-check and ensure your project or center is ready for the big event.

This year's theme is Reconnecting & Advancing the Skilled Technical Workforce. The conference will focus on critical issues related to advanced technological education across the United States. There will be two virtual ATE Connects kick-off events for different discipline areas on Thursday, October 20th, and Friday, October 21st. Additionally, there will be post-conference virtual events in November.

This PI Conference may be the first time some projects and centers have attended in person! With that in mind, we have provided sometips and information for first-time conference goers and pertinent reminders for those experienced attendees. To support your preparation efforts here is some information that you may find helpful:

ATE Central Centers and Projects Map

The Centers and Projects map is a great way to learn about possible collaborators in your field or region and identify who may be at the PI conference. With the map, you can search through projects and centers by area of the country or by general subject area. While browsing the map, now is also a good time to ensure that your project or center's record is up to date. Let us know if you have new resources, a new project description, or other social media outlets. We can best support and amplify your efforts with up-to-date information about your project or center and related deliverables.

ATE Impacts Book + Blog

The ATE Impacts book and companion blog continue to be a great resource for getting the word out about ATE and the outstanding work being done throughout our community. But the blog and book are also a great way to learn more about the ATE community before heading to the PI meeting. Take a read through the book online to get a good overview of the history of the ATE program, and visit ATE Central during the in-person ATE Connects sessions in October to look at the print copy - we'll be happy to mail copies to you for use in your own outreach efforts. And of course, if you have an idea for a blog post before or after the PI Conference don't hesitate to get in touch at info@ateimpacts.net - we'd love to help you get the word out about the impact of your project or center!

PI Meeting App

Plan which sessions to attend and track your PI meeting experiences with the annual PI meeting app. This year's app will be available in October, so watch for it on the PI Conference page.

Getting Started for New Grantees

This pre-conference workshop is recommended for all principal investigators, co-principal investigators, and other team members involved in newly awarded projects and centers in FY22. The workshop, held in-person on Wednesday the 26 from 1-4pm, will cover the reporting and financial requirements of the ATE grant while connecting new members with other projects and centers that can help them successfully manage, evaluate, and report on their projects. ATE Central and others from the ATE community and NSF will be presenting at the session, so it's a great place to connect and ask any questions. Sign up when your register for the conference – this is the only pre-conference session that’s free for attendees. 

ATE Community Resources

Many free tools and resources available throughout the ATE community can also help you prepare your project or center for the PI conference. Make sure to check out EvaluATE, MentorConnect, and AACC, among others.

Navigating the DC Area

The conference provides dinner on the 26th, breakfast and lunch on the 27th, and breakfast on the 28th. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the surrounding area for other meals.

• Right across the street from the Omni Shoreham is Open City, a cafe offering brunch, coffee, and pizza all day. Check out their full menu here.
• If you have time between sessions, the Smithsonian National Zoo is steps away from the conference hotel. The Giant Panda is definitely worth seeing!
• Check out Destination DC to find out more about what’s happening in and around the DC area!

Information about how to register can be found on the conference registration page. The registration deadline is September 28th and those participating only in the virtual tracks must be registered by October 19th (in-person attendees are automatically registered for the virtual components). The entire program is available on the conference schedule page. For those looking for more information about the conference, register here for a conference orientation webinar on Friday, October 7th, which will provide an overview of the in-person event and virtual components.

Check out the PI Conference's website and FAQ to view more information about the conference. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us at info@atecentral.net and let us know how we can support your ongoing efforts. We look forward to seeing you in DC!