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: El Puente Cafe in the West Lobby glass atrium of the convention center, between Lila Cockrell Auditorium and Registration. There are also two additional cafes onsite down the hall toward exhibit halls 3 and 1.
  • Meet in a bar for happy hour. Bar Ideas
  • Organize a lunch meet up to go to a restaurant together Monday, November 4 or Tuesday, November 5 at 11:30am-1:30pm.  Have a fabulous foodie experience any of the celebrated restaurants near the convention center on this list of recommendations (scroll to the bottom). Some restaurants and attractions have “show me your conference badge” discounts. If you don’t want to leave the convention center, Broken Crust Pizza Restaurant in the convention center is very easy for conference attendees to find and has outdoor seating. 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 the indoor ropes course at LiggettVille Adventure Center, a group outing to see the Alamo, or go to Bonham Exchange to dance the night away. You can even charter a private river cruise for surprisingly inexpensive rates.
  • 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 Saturday and Sunday, November 2 and 3. The sessions included in ObesityWeek registration start Sunday at 1:30pm.
  • 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 Monday and Tuesday at lunch 11:30am-1:30pm are visit the exhibit hall (there will be dogs to pet) or go to a corporate supported symposium at the Hyatt. Lunch is on your own and a great time for meetups.
  • Welcome Reception and Poster Session immediately following Presidential Plenary, Sunday, November 3, 7:00-9:00pm in the Exhibit Hall, light food and drinks.
  • President’s and Awards Reception (invite-only, smaller event), Monday, November 4, 7:00-9:00pm  Even so, Monday is fairly good choice for an evening get together, just know that TOS leadership and award winners are busy that night.
  • Closing Reception Tuesday, November 5, 7:00-9:00pm in the West Lobby of the Convention Center. There will be a live band, light food, and drinks.
  • The conference ends Wednesday at 11:30am.

Transportation

Need a ride?  You can always Uber XL, but if it’s downtown, egotransportation.com does $5 per person rides.