The 2023 ATE Principal Investigators’ Conference, commemorating 30 years of advancing technological education, is coming up on October 25-27 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C!

Over 850 NSF ATE grantees and project partners from various educational sectors will convene to address critical issues in advanced technological education, spanning disciplines like information technology, engineering technology, and biotechnology. This year, the conference will introduce an extended agenda, including pre-conference workshops and affinity group meetings, along with opportunities for Congressional advocacy. 

Notably, there won't be a virtual component for this conference as American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and NSF have decided, based on previous participation rates and feedback, to encourage PIs to attend the event in person or designate team members to participate. While the main plenary sessions will be recorded for later viewing, session materials and presentations will be accessible on the conference website post-event.

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 may have prepared already, now is an excellent time to double-check and ensure your project or center is ready for the big event. This PI Conference may be the first time some projects and centers have attended in person!

With that in mind, we have provided some tips 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.

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 25th from 9:00-12:30 pm, 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. 

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 breakfast and lunch on the 26th, and breakfast on the 27th. 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 27th.

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!