70 • 2018 ASHA CONVENTION PROGRAM BOOK Overflow Rooms We understand how important it is for you to attend the sessions of your choice. The ASHA Convention is a large event, and, typically, more than 50 concurrent sessions are presented during each time block throughout each day. Extensive planning goes into scheduling, and the Convention Program Committee strives to assign appropriately sized rooms for all presenters. Factors such as the popularity of a presenter or topic, the history of session attendance in past years, other concurrent sessions on similar topics, as well as any schedule restrictions of the presenter are all taken into consideration when sessions are scheduled for the ASHA Convention. These factors, however, are not always predictable, or capacity constraints of the facility may limit the best room assignment—and, as a result, overcrowding occasionally occurs. ASHA staff and student volunteers monitor room capacities carefully. ASHA is obligated to abide by the guidelines established by the Fire Marshal in Boston, and overcrowded rooms may create unsafe environments. If a session reaches capacity, attendees should follow the instructions provided by ASHA staff, Convention Center staff, student volunteers, or Security staff. Attendees may be instructed not to stand against the walls or block the aisles or doors, or they may not be allowed to enter the room if it overflows. Networked Session Rooms Networked session rooms give attendees instant access to overflow rooms for popular at-capacity sessions. If you arrive at a session that is already full, you may be directed to the nearest overflow space where you can view the session slides and hear the audio in real time. In some larger common-area overflow spaces, earbuds or headsets attached to a receiver will be provided so that you may listen to the presentation audio as the slides are shown on the screen. Please comply with the ASHA staff and student volunteers when they direct you to the best option for an overflowing session. See page 28 for floor plans that indicate the locations of the various overflow rooms in the Convention Center and the Westin. Look for the monitor screens throughout the convention center displaying currently overflowed sessions and their locations. HELP US MANAGE ROOM CAPACITY! Following these steps can help us avoid overflow situations in session rooms. • Arrive at sessions early to secure your seat whenever possible. • Don’t save seats for late arrivals. Saving a seat for a colleague for a couple of minutes is acceptable, but if a room is filling, be considerate of your peers, and allow someone else to take the seat. • Don’t use seats for bags and other personal items. Keep them on the floor in front of you or in your lap. • You may be asked to raise your hand if you’re next to an open seat so that any standing attendees may be directed to it. • Be courteous and respectful to student volunteers and staff when you are directed elsewhere. Their job is to help enforce the safety requirements established by the Fire Marshal.