To: NACADA Commission and Interest Group Chairs
From: Jill Johnson, Kathy Stockwell, and Julia Wolf

Re: Display Boards and Ideas for the CIGD Fair in Baltimore

The Annual Conference in Baltimore is only a few months away! The Executive Office will again supply table-top display boards for the Commission & Interest Group Fair on which chairs can highlight resources and benefits of their respective units. These display boards are tri-fold, made of foam core (1/4-inch thick), and black with no writing. Overall dimensions are 32x40 inches—middle panel is 20 inches wide, two side panels are each 10 inches wide. Having these dimensions will hopefully help you plan the layout and prepare items for your display ahead of time.

These table-top display boards for the Fair will be provided for use by all Commission & Interest Group Chairs. If you do not plan on using a display board, please let us know by e-mailing Julia at jqwolf@ksu.edu by Friday, August 10. You need only reply if you do not need a display board.

Chairs will be informed of the specific conference location from which to pick up these display boards during the CIG Division meeting on Wednesday, October 17, 1:00-5:00pm, prior to the beginning of the conference. Push pins will also be provided for your use. For those Interest Group Chairs not attending the CIG Division meeting, check at the conference registration desk upon arrival to find out where to pick up your display board.

The Commission & Interest Group Fair will be held on Friday morning, October 19, from 7:30-8:30am near the 4th Floor Ballroom in the Baltimore Convention Center. You can set up after 6:30am that morning. A table and large overhead sign will be provided for each Commission and Interest Group. Breakfast for conference attendees will be provided during the Fair in the same room. [Due to other events, this area will not be available for you to set up the night before.]

A special web page has been created on which all pertinent details of the CIGD Fair and display boards are outlined. To assist you with preparations for your unit's Fair table, please review this information, which includes:

• dimensions and style of the display boards
• suggested items and/or activities that you may wish to incorporate into your display
• signup sheets for each table on which members can indicate their interest in volunteering to help with activities and/or being added to your unit's listserve
• spending guidelines for utilizing the $50 in funds allocated to your unit for the Fair
• reimbursement procedures for this $50 in Fair funds

Please keep in mind that it does not necessarily need to be you alone as Commission or Interest Group Chair who prepares for and staffs your Fair table. It is an expectation that all Commissions participate in the Fair and, ideally, all Interest Groups will participate as well. However, responsibilities in preparation for this event can be delegated by you as Chair. This is a tremendous opportunity to get other members of your unit involved to help you out or take on the project entirely.

Perhaps you could get some ideas for your Fair table by looking at some displays set up by Chairs at previous Fairs.  Click HERE to view photos from the 2006 CIGD Fair. 

If you have any questions about the display boards, spending guidelines, reimbursement procedures, or other Fair information, please contact us. Additional details regarding the Fair, CIG Division meeting, and other conference-related activities will be provided later on this summer. Thanks! Hope you are having a fantastic summer!