Any Questions about the 2010 Forum should be directed to the AIR Meetings and Events Department by email air@airweb.org or by phone 850-385-4155 x.201

Targeted Affinity Groups (TAGs) cluster presentations by topic, providing participants with an intensive curriculum focused on one of the following:

• Accountability
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• Enrollment Management
• Faculty and Student Diversity
• Managing Information
• Technology/Data Warehousing

White Paper Discussion Groups about the future of institutional research. Call for Nominations coming soon

Why is the Forum on Memorial Day?

Some of our members wonder why we scheduled the 2010 AIR Forum to encompass the Memorial Day weekend.

First, some background. The size of our Forum limits us to a select group of cities and facilities that can accommodate us. To be sure that we have the option of good space in a desirable city, AIR books hotels 4 or 5 years in advance. Doing so is standard practice for associations. For example, the contract for Chicago was negotiated and approved by the AIR Board over 5 years ago.

By starting the main Forum activities on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, AIR can take the event to highly desirable cities at affordable prices. The 2008 Forum in Seattle and the 2010 Forum in Chicago are possible because of the discounts AIR negotiated for members. We use Memorial Day weekend as a bargaining point to keep hotel rooms and associated meeting costs as low as possible.

Didn’t Executive Director, Randy Swing, promise not to book the Forum on Memorial Day?

Yes. The Board has approved only one contract since Randy started as Executive Director. The 2013 Forum will be in Long Beach, California and NOT on a Memorial Day weekend. AIR will attempt to avoid booking future Forums on Memorial Day, while keeping in mind that members want attractive destination cities, affordable hotel costs, and good facilities to support their learning and networking.

Before booking the next Forum city, AIR will conduct new research to confirm member preferences about cities and dates.

How do members feel about Forums held on Memorial Day weekend?

Some members have expressed that they do not like the choice of Memorial Day weekend for the Forum, while others do not care. A survey of members in the past found that a majority of respondents did not object to the Forum being held on Memorial Day weekend. Recent feedback from members indicates that some prefer the holiday date so that family members can travel with them. Others report that being away from campus on a holiday means less disruption to their office duties. Members who expressed a negative opinion report that they do not wish to be away from family on Memorial Day.

It is not surprising that members have different views for what constitutes the “best date” for the Forum. AIR will continue to survey members and attempt to provide services that best fit the wishes and needs of current members.