College Sports Information Directors of America

Leading up to the 2017 CoSIDA Convention in June (June 11-14 in Orlando), we are showcasing different aspects of the upcoming in a "Convention InSIDer Spotlight" series.

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by Barb Kowal, CoSIDA Director of Professional Development and External Affairs

We all know that the communications challenges we face as athletic communicators these days are growing. Delivering consistent messages, working with emerging technologies and planning your digital communications strategies are crucial as you think about how each communication channel fits into your plan and how you will convey your messages and stories.

With that in mind, the graphic and digital communication sessions are always among the most popular at the annual CoSIDA Convention. This year, listening to suggestions and comments from prior Convention attendees, we've added a different format to cover these topics. On Wednesday afternoon (June 14) there will be sessions on PhotoShop, video editing and exploring new/trending social media platforms, with each topic covered in beginner, intermediate and advanced sessions in classroom-style sessions.

These three levels of each session will run concurrently (see schedule below) and every attendee is encouraged to bring a laptop/iPad/mobile device for full participation.

CoSIDA members won't merely attend. They will actively participate. Attendee questions will drive the content. Each attendee will get hands-on training in each of these interactive sessions, with the material covered generated off audience questions and priorities. The goal is to inspire participants to create new projects when they return to their offices.

"Tech skills are vital to our industry, but gaining the skills required a mix of instruction and practice. These convention panels were created to provide necessary training in these important skill sets," noted Jon Oglesby, Big Sky Conference Senior Director of Communications and External Operations. Oglesby serves on the CoSIDA Convention Program Committee and is coordinating the "Tech Time" sessions in Orlando.

"Tech Talk" sessions are structured to be more personal and be small huddle formats where attendees will have two-way knowledge sharing and have the right conversations and learning experience with the right people.

"Each of the presenters in the three levels of the tech panels are committed to having an open discourse with panel attendees, to understand their skill sets," Oglesby said. "Then, they will have ideas and practices to share, in conjunction with the discourse they get from the attendees."

Make sure to register NOW for the 2017 Convention and plan to attend the "Tech Time" afternoon on June 14th. Where you will have the opportunity to learn firsthand the tricks of the trade and enjoy the benefits of real interaction.

Tech Time Sessions (Wednesday, June 14)

2:15-3 p.m. Concurrent panels of Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Video Editing

• Beginners: This hands-on training session will provide quick easy tips on how to edit video on the fly and add content to websites and internet streams.
  • Presenter: Jon Oglesby, Big Sky Conference
• Intermediate: Hands-on training for those familiar with video editing but who want to learn next level editing skills.
  • Presenter: Chip Fontanazza, UCF
• Advanced: Hands-on training for those looking to take their video editing to the highest level.
  • Presenter: Ryan Malavolta, University of Utah

3:15-4 p.m.

Concurrent panels of Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Photoshop

• Beginners: This hands-on training session will talk about how we use info graphics and put them together, from the most basic level.
  • Presenter: Tim Clark, Texas Lutheran University
• Intermediate: Hands-on training for those familiar with Photoshop that want to add some higher-level elements to their skill set.
  • Presenter: Sammi Shepherd, California Baptist University
• Advanced: Hands-on training for those looking to take their Photoshop skills to the highest level.
  • Presenter: Kyle Robarts, SIDesign

4:15 -5 p.m.

Concurrent panels of Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced New Social Media Platforms

• Beginners: How to use video on social media to capture big moments, how to use new social media platforms
  • Presenters: Danny Barnts, Point Loma Nazarene University and Seth Dahle, Eastern Oregon University
• Intermediate: Facebook LIVE, Periscope, Twitter, streaming live video and other new media uses
  • Presenter: Brian Wagner, University of Michigan
• Advanced: Next level social media platforms, ways to expand their usages
  • Presenter: Doug Meffley, Northwestern University

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