IAC: Information Architecture conference

IAC: Information Architecture conference

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Grace Lau

IAC24 Call for Participation

Theme

IA in the Age of AI: Designing Intelligent Information Landscapes

Call for Participation

In 2024 we are going back to our roots!

We know that generative and predictive AI have already and will continue to change the way we create, categorize, organize and interact with content, and we also know that many people are continuing to work on core IA problems, products and projects, such as designing navigation systems, implementing headless CMSs, making product data for e-commerce more usable, tuning internal site search, aligning stakeholders on meaning, and working with SEO.

Therefore we’d like proposals that help people to plan for the future while dealing with their immediate challenges.

We want to focus on the core aspects of information architecture (IA):

  • Increasing and supporting understanding
  • Designing navigation, search and personalization 
  • The deep information architecture of taxonomies and ontologies
  • Contextual IA in spaces, services and across platforms
  • Product IA
  • Getting buy-in for IA and working with Product, Development and the Business
  • The impact of good IA on ROI, value and revenue
  • IA and SEO working towards global findability 

And blend it with the ever-emerging world of AI and ML, talking about:

  • Leveraging IA in AI projects
  • Bringing the human to AI
  • Developing chatbots 
  • Understanding how to incorporate and tune AI with our content and datasets 

Session types

To ensure a varied program, we will include a mix of session types across the three days.

  • Lighting Talk
    • A short talk focusing on one point or concept by one speaker (12 minutes)
  • Talk
    • A standard lecture-style talk for one or two speakers (30 minutes)
  • Panel
    • 3 to 5 speakers engage in discussion around a topic. (Hosted by an experienced moderator and taking questions from the floor, or else run as a series of interlinked presentations) (30 minutes)

We will not be taking proposals for workshops for 2024. Instead we are curating a workshop lineup based on this year’s theme of IA in a world of AI. We are focusing on practical skills for information architects at all levels.

30-minute talk and panel speakers will receive free registration to the conference. Lightning Talk presenters will receive a discount.

At the IAC Conference, we provide support for speakers as they go through the process of developing their talks from proposals, to preparing the session before the conference and practicing in the Speaker Studio at the conference venue. If you’d like support in developing a proposal, please contact us at curation@theiaconference.com 

Dates

  • Submissions open – September 2, 09:00 a.m. (PST)
  • Submission deadline – October 8, 11:59 p.m. (PST)
  • Program decided and communicated – end of November 2023
Submit your proposal

*Note: You will need to create an account on Softconf in order to submit.

Proposal guidelines 

To prepare you for submitting a proposal, here are the key sections we want you prepared to answer

Speakers

  • Primary speaker, affiliations and contact information
  • Other speakers, their affiliations and contact information
  • Social media handles, in particular LinkedIn and Twitter/X

Talk details 

  • Title of your talk
  • Session subtitle / plain language title
    • Necessary to provide a clear focus of the session, since many sessions have vague or dramatic titles
  • Summary (200 words)
  • Further details about the talk (up to 1000 words)
    • Unlike the website description, this is intended for the review and curation teams to properly assess the talk. It should be a detailed overview of the content covered, rather than a vague intrigue – do not just repeat the summary in this section
  • Description for the website
    • Written to elicit interest and intrigue from the attendee audience
  • 140-character description (inc #iac24)
    • Allows for social media marketing of the session and acts as a means of focusing the session topic or message
  • Supporting evidence (slides, previous presentations, videos)
  • Best topic (IA, Tools & Techniques, Career Dev, Case study, AI, SEO, Working across disciplines)
  • Best format (30 minutes or 12 minutes)
    • Why did you select this format?
    • Second choice format (30 minutes or 12 minutes)
  • Has this material been presented before?
  • If so, where and when?
  • Why are you qualified to speak about this?
  • How many times have you presented at IAC Conference?

Audience needs 

  • Intended audience (Apprentice  / Journeyman / Master)
  • What will attendees gain?
    • Specific lessons and takeaways
    • Why should people care? 
    • How will this session improve someone’s IA practice? 
    • Why might a company pay for their employee to attend this session?

A good proposal is clear about the topic, the context and what it will provide to the audience.

Here are links to writing a good proposal.

Tips for Writing a Great Conference Proposal

How to write a successful conference proposal, Dave Cheney

At the IAC Conference, we provide support for speakers as they go through the process of developing their talks from proposals, to preparing the session before the conference and practicing in the Speaker Studio at the conference venue. If you’d like support in developing a proposal, please contact us at curation@theiaconference.com

Social Activities at IAC23

Some of the best memories that we have from past IACs don’t come from workshops and sessions, but rather from the social activities that allow us to build meaningful connections with our colleagues and explore the city. So make sure to check out the activities we have planned.

First Timers’ Orientation & Dinners

  • Wednesday, March 29, 2023
  • Orientation: 5:30pm – 6:00pm CDT, Location: Treme room at Intercontinental
  • Dinners: Reservations for 7:30pm CDT and later. Location: various restaurants

We’ve all been first timers’ at one time or another and it can be a little intimidating to walk into a room full of strangers for the first time. If this is your first time attending an IAC in-person, attending our first timers’ orientation and dinners on Wednesday is a great way to meet some friendly faces before the main conference begins. Get all the details on these events and mark your calendar. 

Welcome Reception

  • Wednesday, March 29, 2023
  • 6:00pm – 8:00pm CDT
  • Location: Frenchman room at Intercontinental

The Welcome Reception is the official kick-off to the main conference. It’s your first chance to reconnect with friends and acquaintances that you’ve only seen on the other side of a computer screen for the last 3 years and to meet some new faces.

IAC Walk and Run

  • Thursday, March 30, 2023
  • 7:30am – 8:30am CDT
  • Location: Meet at the Main Entrance of the InterContinental Hotel

Our annual tradition of a 2-mile walk and a 3-mile run is continuing. Join your fellow conference attendees on Thursday morning for some fresh air and physical activity to get the first day of the conference off to a wonderful start. We will meet in front of the main entrance of the hotel at 7:20am and will depart at 7:30am. Don’t worry – we’ll be back with enough time for you to freshen up before our conference chairs take the stage for the first time at 9:00am.

Walk map
map for the iac23 walk hosted by Alesha Arp
map for the iac23 run hosted by Rebecca Harper
map for the iac23 run hosted by Rebecca Harper

Poster Night

  • Thursday, March 30, 2023
  • 6:00pm – 8:00pm CDT
  • Location: Frenchman room at Intercontinental

After you’ve spent the first day of the main conference listening to our lineup of amazing presenters and getting inspired about your work, keep that energy going by coming to Poster Night. Check out what your peers have been working on and see what new ideas it might spark for you.

Game Night

  • Friday, March 31, 2023
  • 7:00pm CDT – late CDT
  • Location: Melpomene room at Intercontinental

Another annual tradition is back. Come join your fellow conference attendees for a night of friendly competition on Friday evening from 7:00pm onwards. A selection of games will be provided and if you have a game that you would like to share with the community, please bring it along.

Sign up to bring a game, teach a game

Karaoke Night

  • Friday, March 31, 2023
  • 8:30pm CDT – late CDT
  • Location: Poydras, 3rd Floor at Intercontinental

Experience NOLA

New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA) is home to IAC23 and oh so much more. The official New Orleans Tourism website has curated an incredible amount of useful information that will help you make the most of your time in the city, so be sure to check it out before you arrive and throughout your stay. In addition, here are community-generated lists of things you may want to do and places you may want to go during your visit to NOLA (as well as a list of other online guides to the Big Easy).

Note: all drive/walk times are Google Map estimates starting from the InterContinental New Orleans, our IAC23 venue.

Transportation

Airport Transportation

The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is located approximately fifty (50) minutes from the IAC23 venue. There are multiple options for transportation from and to MSY:

  • MSY Airport Shuttle Service: currently $24 one-way, $44 round-trip, and children under 6 ride free; schedule ahead online or call 866-596-2699.
  • Taxis are available at the airport on level 1 and fares run around $36 each way for 1 or 2 people; for 3 or more people the fare is ~$14 each person, each way.
  • KreweCar, Uber, Lyft: choose from 3 ride sharing services to get you from the airport to the hotel and back easily and safely. Note: KreweCar bookings must be made 6 hours in advance.
  • Buses to downtown NOLA are available for $1.50. Note: there are limited departures and all passengers disembark at Elk Place and Canal Street (a 5 min cab ride or 12 min walk to the conference hotel.
  • Learn more about airport transportation options from the NOLA tourism bureau or on the MSY website.

Around the city

From the IAC23 venue, there are numerous options for transportation in and around NOLA:

  • Walking: The Intercontinental hotel is centrally located and within walking distance of many restaurants, cafes, bars, shops and tourist attractions. Bring your most comfortable walking shoes and start counting your steps.
  • Blue Bikes: This bikeshare service is a great way to easily get around town while enjoying the fresh air and getting a bit of exercise. You can pay by the minute or get a monthly pass.
  • GoX Scooters: Similar to the blue bikes, but on scooters. Various pricing options included.
  • Pedicabs: A fun and unique way to get around without having to do any of your own pedal work.
  • New Orleans Regional Transit Authority provides inexpensive buses, streetcars and ferries to get you around town, including the original streetcar line which runs down St Charles Street – right in front of the Intercontinental. Single rides are $1.25 and a selection of Jazzy passes give you multiple rides. Download the app ahead of time for convenient access to a trip planner, mobile payment and real-time information for a seamless ride.
  • City Sightseeing New Orleans Hop On Hop Off City Tour: These bus tours are a great way to get around the city while also learning from knowledgeable tour guides. One-day tickets are $46 with additional multi-day options available and all tickets can be purchased ahead of time or on the same day.
  • KreweCar, Uber, Lyft: Choose from 3 ride sharing services to get you around town easily and safely. Note: KreweCar bookings must be made 6 hours in advance.
  • Taxis
  • Limousines

Eat

  • Cochon: Cajun/Southern, ~4 min drive/~15 min walk
  • Drago’s: Seafood, numerous locations, closest ~4 min drive/~15 min walk; original Metairie (Fat City) location ~15 min drive
  • Camellia Grill: Diner, ~14 min drive
  • Luke: Creole, ~1 minute walk
  • Bearcat CBD: Breakfast/Brunch, ~3 min drive/~10 min walk
  • The Daily Beet: Vegetarian, Breakfast/Brunch, ~3 min drive/~11 min walk
  • Willa Jean: Breakfast/Brunch, Bakery, ~3 min drive/~10 min walk
  • Rouse’s Market: Grocery, ~3 min drive/~9 min walk
  • Jacques-Imo’s: Via streetcar – reservations for large groups – try the Shrimp & Alligator Sausage Cheesecake (it’s like no quiche you’ve tried yet!).
  • Antoine’s Restaurant: Classic New Orleans Restaurant
  • Restaurant guide from the NOLA tourism bureau (duplicates some of the above list)

Drink

Alcohol

  • The Carousel Bar & Lounge: Circus-style merry-go-round bar with live music, ~4 min drive/~8 min walk
  • Bourbon Street: Countless bars & restaurants, ~3 min drive/~8 min walk
  • Cocktail guide from the NOLA tourism bureau (duplicates some of the above list)
  • Ace Hotel: Couple of blocks away. Large, cool lounge and restaurant: Josephine Estelle

Not alcohol

Both

Visit

  • French Quarter: The oldest neighborhood in the city of New Orleans.
  • Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1 (tour website; must take tour to visit): The oldest in NOLA, many famous graves, ~4 min drive/~8 min walk
  • Southern Food & Beverage Museum: Cooking classes and specialty exhibits including The Museum of the American Cocktail’s New Orleans Collection, La Galerie de l’Absinthe, ~6 min drive/~24 min walk
  • The National WWII Museum: The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations can understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn. Through exhibits, multimedia experiences, and thousands of personal accounts, the Museum takes visitors on an immersive tour of World War II in every theater of war.
  • Streetcar ride – St Charles goes through the garden district and past Tulane and Loyola.
  • Red Sash Tours: Cemetery tour guide (Metairie cemetery tour is highly recommended by Carol’s friend)
  • Mardi Gras World: See the floats!
  • NOLA Tour Guy: Self-guided walking tour of the garden district. 
  • St. Louis Cathedral & Jackson Square
  • Preservation Hall
  • New Orleans City Park
  • Audubon Park & Audubon Zoo
  • Steamboat Natchez
  • Things to do from the NOLA tourism bureau (duplicates some of the above list)

Shop

Guides

Sponsor IAC23

Sponsor the world’s leading gathering for academics and practitioners of information architecture, while helping to create a truly unique conference. Reach an engaged community of decision-makers and influencers. Align your brand with socially conscious practitioners and leaders in information architecture, user experience, and digital design.

Be part of the 24th annual gathering of information architects, user experience designers and researchers, content strategists, and engineers. The IA conference – the premier conference to learn about and discuss the intentional design of rich information environments.

Download Sponsorship Brochure

With over 300 expected attendees, an engaged social media following, and over 1 million social media impressions, it’s the perfect opportunity to showcase your product, service, or business. 

The conference includes talks, posters, workshops, and networking opportunities. Attendees pick up timely insights and practical lessons that can be used immediately at work.

Benefits of sponsoring the conference

Audience

Reach diverse group of practitioners and generate leads

  • Content Strategist / Designer
  • Conversation Architect
  • Customer / Digital Experience Manager
  • Data Engineer / Data Scientist
  • Design Lead
  • Digital Strategist
  • Experience / Interaction Designer
  • Founder / CEO / CIO
  • Information Architect
  • Instructional Designer
  • Product Designer / Owner / Manager
  • Researcher / Ethnographer
  • Socio-technical Researcher
  • Students (grad, undergraduate, HS)
  • Taxonomist / Ontologist
  • User Experience Designer
  • UX Manager / Director
  • Visual Designer

Impressions

Increase awareness of your brands

  • ~1,000,000 total impressions on Twitter
  • 328,000+ during the 5 days of the conference
  • 714,000+ in the year leading up to the conference
  • 11,000+ Twitter followers
  • 5,300+ subscribers on mailing list
  • 300 expected attendees

Engagement

Access and engage with the community

  • Recruit top talent
  • Deliver branded talks, workshops, emails, or social media posts
  • Build relationships with attendees through sponsored events and initiatives
  • Create your unique experience with the IAC community

Your sponsorship enables 

Expanded diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programming

Sponsor DEI efforts and enable underrepresented communities to impact the field and practice of IA. Your sponsorship empowers us to include people who otherwise could not afford to attend, such as those whose employment has been affected by COVID-19 or other circumstances.

Student scholarships for traditionally under-represented communities

IAC’s Scholarship Program has offered 30 full scholarships to people of color since 2018. Your sponsorship allows students to continue to participate in the conference. We are reaching out to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to increase student participation.

World-class programming and conversations.

As the premiere conference of information architects and user experience professionals, your sponsorship enables new speakers to join the conversation.

Let’s work together to get the visibility and recognition that works for you. We can design a package that leaves an impression with attendees and supports the creative atmosphere of the conference.

Your backing can support:

  • DEIB Initiatives including Scholarships for student and professional attendees
  • Events, special guests, breaks, and more…
  • Movement: IAC is the home of Polar Bear Yoga, the Polar Bear Run, and the Polar Bear 2k Walk!
  • Attendee programs such as professional headshots, the IAC Career Center, portfolio reviews, mentoring, and more…
  • Provide IAC23 speaker and volunteer gifts, swag, logistics and more…

Do you have a great idea to make the event even better? Do you want to give an open-ended contribution that our volunteer organizers can put to good use? Let’s talk!

Sponsorship Packages

How to sponsor the conference

Let’s collaborate and get creative.

All sponsorship opportunities can be customized to fit your needs and budget. Get in touch and we can help your vision come to life. We also accept in-kind donations such as books, subscriptions, licenses, swag, etc.

Let’s work together to create the visibility and recognition that works for you. See our sponsorship package (PDF) for details.

Download Sponsorship Brochure

How your backing supports the conference:

  • Sponsor an event or series of events
  • Award branded scholarships for student attendees 
  • Fund branded tickets for those whose employment has been affected by COVID
  • Provide captioning, transcription services, and audio/video recording 
  • A virtual lounge or product workshop for attendees with your brand, front-and-center
  • Branded appreciation gifts for volunteers and speakers 
  • All sponsorship opportunities can be customized to fit your needs and budget.

Get in touch so we can help your vision come to life.

Contact us today

Vanessa Foss

Kunverj

6103 Blue Sage Lane

Upper Malboro, MD 20722 USA

Phone: +1 (301) 503-0993

Fax: +1 (301) 542-0049

Present a Poster at IAC23

Share Your Work, Ideas, and Inventions at Poster Night

2019 poster session, Jared Spool and Josh Palay, c Stacy Surla

Poster Night is one of the highlights of the IA Conference experience. Attendees will browse the exhibits and chat with poster creators in a happy hour-like atmosphere, following the Thursday evening keynote on March 30.

Whether you’re a first-time presenter or an experienced practitioner, Poster Night is a fun and rewarding way to present your work and ideas at a major international conference. You’ll get to know the community and share your insights with people interested in your topic, all in a relaxed and engaging setting.

Submit your poster concept before February 10. If your poster is accepted, we’ll send you a how-to packet on preparing your poster and presentation.

Submit poster concept

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Poster Night? What do I do as a presenter?

On Poster Night you’ll present your poster on site at the IAC in New Orleans on Thursday March 30th from 6 to 8 PM. You’ll stand and present to anyone who passes by your space and shows interest.

Am I eligible for a conference discount?

Yes! As a poster presenter, you’ll get a discount code for conference registration, which will reduce your registration cost by $100.  If your poster is a group effort, all presenters are eligible for the discount.

How complete does my poster need to be before I submit a proposal?

You don’t need a finished poster to submit. All you need is a concept. It’s easy to submit your idea. If your idea is accepted, you’ll need to send a draft of your poster for review by March 1.

I’ve never presented a poster before. How should I prepare?

If your concept is accepted, we’ll send you a how-to packet on preparing your poster and presentation.  

What is the format for poster presentations? How big can my poster be?

Each presenter gets an exhibit space in the presentation hall. The area for your poster will be roughly 4 ft wide x 4 ft tall. There will also be room in front of the poster for a table or other furniture if you need it.

Exhibits should include a graphic poster describing an idea, technique, case study, or research. But you could also use your exhibit to showcase a 3D model, engage interactively with attendees, host a puppet show, or lead interpretive dances about information architecture. Your imagination and the space are about the only limits.

What if I need a power outlet or furniture?

If your presentation requires access to a power outlet or a table, chair, or stools, let us know in the submission form. We’ll factor in furniture and wall power requirements when we map the exhibit space.

What if I need other technology?

If you’re planning to do demos, use a robot, or display other tech, you are responsible for bringing all technology and materials with you — monitors, projectors, laptops, arts and crafts materials, all of it.

What if I need a chair or have other accessibility needs?

Please let us know in the submission form and we will accommodate your request.

When do I set up my poster?

Presenters must hang their own work on Thursday, March 30th. This will involve skipping a session or coffee/tea break in the afternoon before the evening keynote.

Will I be listed on the website?

Yes! A list of all poster presenters will be on the website, so you can announce your participation on all your social channels.

How long is Poster Night?

Poster Night runs from 6 to 8 PM. Please plan to stay the whole time. There are usually two waves: the before-dinner crowd and the-returning-from-dinner crowd. Both are worth presenting to! Since you’ll be in front of your poster for the night, plan to ask someone to bring you food and drinks.

What else do I need to know?

Presenters and all attendees are expected to adhere to the conference Code of Conduct, and Poster Night falls under the IAC23 COVID-19 Policy.

Submit your poster concept before February 10, 2023. (Deadline extended from January 27)

Poster Night Testimonials 

Hallway conversations often rank as the best part of any conference, hands down… Poster Night is like ONE BIG HALLWAY CONVERSATION to which you’re allowed to bring your own visual aid… I highly recommend Poster Night to first-timers and conference veterans alike!

— Jason Alderman, Experience Designer at Cloud Chamber

I loved presenting at Poster Night! It was a fun, relaxed environment where I had numerous, insightful conversations and made connections that lasted far beyond the [conference] week.

— Andrea Dulko, Interaction Designer, Google

Poster Night is the ultimate ice-breaker: a casual, low risk way to chat with dozens of [IAs] whose paths you might not otherwise cross – made even easier because there’s a topic right there in front of you.

— Andy Fitzgerald, UX Architecture & Design Consultant

Poster Night allowed me to truly feel like a part of the IA community – speaking to peers and industry experts, I lost my imposter syndrome as my viewpoints and techniques were respected and my frustrations were found to be universal.”

— Paige DuPont, Information Architect at Logic Department

Sponsor IAC

Thanks to last year’s sponsors!