• Insights

The Insider’s Guide to ILTACON: Part 1 of 3

Marcus Bluestein

3 min read

All Insights

Cutting edge sessions, slick demos, and the best parties and games

We consider ILTACON to be the most important educational conference of the year. Undeniably, it’s also lot of fun. But with over 150 vendors, several days jam-packed full of sessions and events, and several floors to navigate, it can get overwhelming. As seasoned ILTACON veterans, we’ve been putting together guides to navigate the conference for several years so you can get the most out of it, specific to your goals.

Because there’s a lot to cover, I’ve divided our guide into three posts. In this first post, I’ll go over general navigation tips and highlight some events. In Part 2, I’ll talk about some sessions we’re curious about, and in Part 3, I will recommend vendors to visit and programs to follow if you’re interested in learning about a particular topic such as security or Windows 10.

Interested in learning about security this year? AI? The new (confusing) Windows 10 update model? Read on and stay tuned for parts 2 and 3.

The App

My first tip is to download the ILTA app. It provides access to the conference agenda, speaker details, attendee list, exhibitors and more, and is really handy to have with you at the conference. Search for “ILTA Events for 2017” in the Apple iTunes and Google Play stores.

The Convention Center

ILTA has not yet posted maps of the convention on its site. Check back for those. In the meantime, you can see the layout of the convention center on Manadalay Bay’s websit. ILTACON is going to be on levels 2 and 3. The exhibit hall will be on the 2nd floor and meeting rooms on the third. 

Events

I think of these as “super-sessions.” Here are some that I recommend. 

Sunday

7:30AM: 19th Annual Gold Tournament

The golf tournament is scheduled for early Sunday morning to take advantage of the cool weather (it is Vegas in the summer, after all). Transportation to the beautiful Bali Hai Golf Course and refreshments will be provided.  We hope someone hits a hole-in-one and wins a car this year. Other contests and prizes will be available as well. Good luck!

4:30PM-6:30PM: Communities of Interest

I encourage you to attend if you are involved or want to be in ILTA’s Communities, such as LegalSec.

6:00PM: Orientation

Prepare for the conference ahead, and get some more detailed maps than the ones I linked above.

8:00PM: Opening Reception

The reception will take place at Mandalay Bay’s Beach this year.

9:00PM: Traveling Coaches CONSTELLATION Party

Traveling Coaches will be kicking off the conference with one of the first parties. You will need your ILTA badge and Eventbrite printout to get in.

Monday

9:00AM: Keynote

Monday things really get going, starting with the Keynote.

11:00AM-5:00PM: ILTA Education Sessions from with breaks

Schedule a private meeting with Kraft Kennedy in Surf D.

7:00PM- 9:00PM: ILTA’s Vendor Galaxy

Monday night vendors will be exhibiting in the main hall. It gets very crowded and it’s very fun.

We’ll be next in Booth 601-603 (next to the car). Stop by and check out what we’re working on this year. We’re happy to chat about whatever’s on your mind. We’re also giving away a Surface Pro and offering hands-on demos with our Oculus Rift. 

Tuesday

8:30AM-4:30PM: ILTA Education Sessions (I’ll go into detail about these in Part 2)

Our session will be in Surf Room D. 

4:30PM-7:30PM: Kraft Kennedy Genius Bar

in Surf D 

Genius Bar 2017 features Dynamic Roundtables for maximum fun and learning. Drinks and conversations will flow at this cocktail hour hosted by world-class IT experts. Guests will have the option to join flexible discussions at several roundtables focused on fascinating topics (or just mingle and enjoy some hors d’oeuvres!). Come away inspired and informed for the year ahead. Click on the link above to add to your calendar.

6:30PM-Midnight:  ILTA’s Distinguished Peer Awards and After-Glow Party 

Wednesday

9:00AM-4:30PM: ILTA education sessions

4:30PM-7:30PM: Kraft Kennedy Genius Bar in Surf D 

Wednesday night- Free!

It’s a free evening, at least by ILTA standards. Be on the lookout for vendor parties that night.

Thursday

9:00AM-4:30PM –ILTA Education Sessions

 6:30PM-11:00PM Closing Reception

That’s all folks! Usually there is a good turnout for the reception, with about 75% of attendees staying for it.

 

Tomorrow morning, I’ll cover the most exciting sessions, from AI to Project-management-as-a-service.

See what Kraft Kennedy will be up to here.