Register Now!

Registration for ACE/NETC is now open! You will find all the fee details and registration form links at http://acenetc.org/en/registration/.

Start Running!

What better way to kick off the first day of ACE/NETC conference sessions than enjoying an early morning run or walk on the edge of one of Denver's most-loved state parks?

Of course, the only way to make that happen is to join the crew of spirited and fun-loving folks who registered to participate in the Joe Marks Memorial Fun Run and Walk. This event honors former ACE president Joe Marks, a long-time writer at the University of Missouri and a dedicated runner who excelled at having fun.

Our shuttle will leave from the hotel promptly at 6 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, for a short drive (less than 10 minutes) to Cherry Creek State Park. The course is a mostly flat, 2.5 mile trail on dirt and paved surfaces. We will return to the hotel no later than 7:30 a.m. so you have time to shower and eat before the first session begins at 8:15 a.m.

You can register for the Joe Marks Fun Run/Walk when you register for the ACE/NETC conference. This event is free.

Hope to see you out there!

Carol Busch
Colorado State University Extension

Diversity SIG Meeting at ACE/NETC 2.011

While you're in Denver (or if you want to log on to our online chat), join your colleagues from the ACE Diversity SIG for some lively discussion of why diversity is important to you, what you get from being a member of the ACE Diversity SIG (if you are a member -- or discover what you might be getting if you aren't a member), and why you think it's important for this SIG to grow in the years to come.

Is diversity still a relevant topic? Should we be focusing more energy on serving diverse populations? Where do we go from here? Those are just some of the topics that may come up if you join us for the Diversity SIG session from 4:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 11.

See you there ~

Ariel Ginsburg, ACE Diversity SIG Chair

The Rewards of Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

When I first joined ACE, I signed up for five or so Special Interest Groups (SIGs). SIGs are groups within ACE that focus on specific areas, such as publishing, writing, research or information technology. I’m a generalist and they all seemed applicable. However, I did not really bond with any of them and attended just one SIG meeting at an annual ACE conference.

Eight years later, I’ve learned a thing or two. After a few years of SIG-less interaction, I was lured into a meeting of the Publishing SIG. Not only did I attend the meeting, but I offered to help organize a conference workshop.

Suddenly I had new people to hang out with at the airport, great sources to debate style guides, and new contacts for emailing those picky communicator questions. I even had someone who wrote me a letter of recommendation for a nomination that resulted in an all-university award from my provost and president.

Along with being a source for specialized professional development, SIGs are a great way to network and enrich your contacts. Hope you’ll attend a SIG session in Denver, get involved and reap the fun rewards.

Looking forward to seeing my ACE Colleagues in June.

– Joy Landis, Publishing SIG chair

ACE/NETC Optional Tours

There’s so much to see and do while you’re in Denver that it makes sense to join one of four optional tours scheduled for Friday, June 10.

Complete tour descriptions and times will soon be available on the ACE/NETC website. Each option departs in the morning and returns to the hotel by the early afternoon. You can sign up for the tour of your choice when you register. Tour prices are inclusive of roundtrip transportation from our hotel, snacks, beverages, activities and entry fees.

Tour options include:

Nature’s Bounty Part One: Harnessing and Utilization

• Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum
• $45

Nature’s Bounty Part Two: Quiet Spaces

• Red Rocks Amphitheater
• Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Reservoir
• $50

Cuppa & Art

• Celestial Seasonings
• Leanin’ Tree Museum of Western Art
• $60

Food & Science

• Denver Museum of Nature & Science: Expedition Health & Lab Tour
• Urban Farm
• $60

Each tour can accommodate a maximum number of participants and we need minimums to make each run. So grab a friend, register early, and bring your curiosity!

Can you say summer vacation?

June is a great time of year to explore Colorado's Rocky Mountains. If you haven't considered spending a few days exploring our diverse state before or after ACE/NETC, do so.

Within a day's drive you can find yourself rafting one of the wildest rivers in Colorado, driving across the highest paved continuous road in the U.S., exploring desert canyons, or tasting some of the finest beer made in America.

Colorado's snow pack is exceptional this year and that means rivers will be running big and fast come June. Numerous float companies offer incredible rafting on the Arkansas River out of Buena Vista, which is two hours southwest from Denver. Other smaller rivers also offer exceptional rafting opportunities. Just search "river rafting + Colorado" and see what you find.

Rocky Mountain National Park is less than two hours northwest of Denver. Hike to falls, spy herds of elk, witness glacial geology unfolding underfoot and drive across the high alpine tundra on Trail Ridge Road. Estes Park and Grand Lake offer numerous accommodations.

If you have more time on your hands, consider a drive across the state to Grand Junction. With numerous vineyards, wineries, orchards, canyons, rivers, mesas - the physical beauty and diversity of the state's western edge is unparalleled.

Or, just stay put in Denver and explore the "Mile High City's" vast network of recreational trails, brew pubs, restaurants, museums, and more. Denver's urban adventures are perfectly suited for everyone, whether you're traveling with family or on your own.

See you in Denver!

Baseball Anyone?

As a wrap-up to the ACE/NETC conference, we have made arrangements for a group outing to a Colorado Rockies (colorado.rockies.mlb.com) baseball game on June 13 at Coors Field in Denver. Tickets will be $20. They are holding 76 seats for our group.
 
The Rockies will be playing the San Diego Padres. The seats are in the lower reserved infield (section 325), which is behind home plate.

You’ll be responsible for your own transportation to the stadium. Fortunately, the nearby light rail system has a stop near Coors Field. If we need to organize transportation, there will be additional cost.
 
Tickets can be purchased when you register for the conference and must be ordered by May 15. 

See you at the game!

Invite Someone

I went to my first ACE/NETC conference as a graduate student. It was both overwhelming and exciting. But I came out of it knowing I wanted to be a land-grant communicator. However, I would never have made it to that conference and discovered my career without the support and encouragement from several people to attend the conference.

Look around your office. Who hasn’t been to ACE/NETC before? Who can you invite this year? We know many organizations employees to submit awards or presentations before going to a conference. But for many of us, we need to first go to the conference to feel comfortable about submitting an award application or presentation.

I encourage you to take the time to invite someone. Explain to them the benefits of attending, show them the website and previous conference programs, and help them register, if need be. Once they get to ACE/NETC, make sure they have someone to sit with during meals and offer yourself as a mentor throughout the conference. While you may be tempted to focus on your long-time friends who you only get to see once a year at ACE/NETC, be inclusive by making this new person part of your circle. Ensure that they have a great experience so that they’ll return next year, engaged, ready to participate and eager to extend their circle of friends and colleagues.

See you in Denver!

Emily Eubanks

Coordinator, Information Office
UF Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology