How to Organize an Alumni Get-Together at ObesityWeek

Types of Get-Togethers From Least to Most Expensive

  • Have a party-in-a-party. Establish a meeting place to go to the Welcome or Closing Reception together.
  • Meet up for coffee. Easiest for everyone to find: Omni 
  • Meet in a bar for happy hour. Bar Ideas
  • Organize a lunch meet up to go to a restaurant together Wednesday, November 5 or Thursday, November 6 at 11:30am-1:30pm. Restaurants onsite are in Building B, but will only be open for lunch on Wednesday and Thursday.  We will happily post your “Meet Here for XYZ Alumni Lunch” sign in the registration or lobby areas. Contact [email protected] to request an easel.
  • Host a private event at a local venue.  Many restaurants have private rooms that can be rented. Unusual event venues can be found via web searches at sites like peerspace.com  and giggster.com. If you want something different, consider
  • Host a reception at the convention center or a hotel. Information  Form to Request Space

Publicize

  • If open to anyone who happens to be at OW from your institution, post on the official conference program by emailing details to [email protected].
  • Use social media networks or list serves or email lists to promote in advance, and search the conference app for people you know when it opens a week before the conference.
  • Post about the reunion and message people in the conference app.
  • Use Evites and/or Outlook or other calendar appointment software, with reminders turned on. If you are fronting money for the event, be sure to require RSVPs before the payment deadline.
  • Put up a poster on an easel in the Conference Registration area.  No commercial logos, please (university and non-profit logos are ok.) Contact [email protected] to request an easel.

Timing

There is no perfect time.  See the conference schedule.
Note these event times:
  • There are ticketed pre-conference courses on Monday and  Tuesday, November 3 and 4. The sessions included in ObesityWeek registration start Tuesday at 2:00pm.
  • Conference sessions times are generally: 8-9:30am, 10-11:30am, 1:30-2:30pm (key lectures), 2:30-3:30pm (posters/coffee), 3:30-5pm, and 5:30-6:30pm (section meetings and key lectures).
  • The only things to do at the conference on Wednesday and Thursday at lunch 11:30am-1:30pm are visit the exhibit hall (there will be dogs to pet) or go to a corporate supported symposium. Lunch is on your own and a great time for meetups.
  • Welcome Reception and Poster Session immediately following Presidential Plenary, Tuesday, November 4, 7:00-9:00pm in the Exhibit Hall, light food and drinks.
  • President’s and Awards Reception (invite-only, smaller event), Wednesday, November 5, 7:00-9:00pm  Even so, Wednesday is fairly good choice for an evening get together, just know that TOS leadership and award winners are busy that night.
  • Closing Reception Thursday, November 6, 5:00-8:00pm in the lobby areas outside the Omni and Convention Center meeting rooms.There will be light food, and drinks.
  • The conference ends on Friday at 11:30am.

Transportation

MARTA transit, Atlanta Streetcar, Uber, Lyft, taxi, or rental car are most convenient for transportation around the greater Atlanta metro area.Check out the transportation page for more information.