Wandering Pandas Flying Solo to InstructureCon?

[rconroy]

In the beginning, I was going to try and get my husband to come with me since I've never had to do a week trip by myself since we got married. We ended up deciding the week trip isn't worth taking his vacation time since we've got a lot going on this year. Which means I have become a solo Panda for InstructureCon. :smileylaugh:

Just starting this discussion as a point place for any other wandering pandas that are flying solo to InstructureCon.  

[rconroy]

Gosh, I WISH I had this option! My institution already booked the shuttle to and from the airport. They weren't very keen on booking a car for 3 days since I had a flight and the conference fee to consider. I'll definitely consider this for next year! 

[jenny_hopf]

Just booked my ticket and will also be attending solo!  A little nervous but excited - this looks like the most "fun" conference I've ever attended!

I booked a studio room at the Slopeside Condominiums, but wasn't sure from the map provided on the conference website, how accessible it is to the conference sessions.  Has anyone had experience there?

[BethCrook]

You'll be fine.  There are shuttles that pick up all over Keystone just for the conference and get you around.   And hopefully now that the inaugural year at Keystone has passed, the transportation will only improve   Your condo might be a short walk to the bus stop, perhaps at Mountain House or the Inn, but regardless, bring COMFY shoes.  An absolute must in Keystone.  

[rconroy]

So I come back to this old thread to keep the hype for InstaCon up (cause I'm honestly REALLY looking forward to partying with all of you in July) and remembered that I forgot to update my details here, too! 

I'll be staying in Keystone Lodge. Pretty sure that's near the convention center according to the super helpful map  @kona  provided!

 My check in isn't till 4, but I'll get to keystone around 1:30 pm. (woo for hanging around for 3 hours with bags! hah!) Anyone else taking the 11am InstructureCon shuttle from Denver? 

PS, I'm not gonna lie, I really want to get a Razor Scooter for the sole purpose of going to InstructureCon and cruising around on it. It's cool for 25 year old's to ride Razor scooters, right? (is that even a thing anymore? Or am I just being way too 90's right now?)

[Stef_retired]

Deactivated user‌, at InstructureCon 2016,  @Robbie_Grant ‌ zipped from spot to spot on his rollerblades. (For context, see Crossroads City Derby video 14:06).

[rconroy]

That is seriously the dream!! I wish I was coordinated enough to be that cool!

[traciebosket]

Deactivated user‌

Oh cool, I'm staying at the lodge too. If bring the Razor, I'll bring my rollerblades

#The90sRock‌

Save

[rconroy]

I ditched the idea of a Razor and actually am getting my Longboard in the mail tonight!  I emailed Keystone and they said Longboards are ok. So I'll be practicing this month leading up to being comfortable enough to cruise around on it when I get there. Still 90's though, right? Can I be considered a cool 90's kid still? 

And awesome! Lodge hang times!

[traciebosket]

Uhhh, yeah!

[traciebosket]

Hmmm, now that you brought it up. Maybe I will snag my kid's longboard

[rconroy]

Do it! It'll be a good way to cruise. :smileycool:

[traciebosket]

25 is too old??? I'm 43, dang you make be feel old

[kenneth_rogers]

I'm 31 and I'm feeling old also! Sheesh, these kids!

[rconroy]

That GIF is so boss. hahaha

[traciebosket]

Dude!!! That guy is my hero

[rconroy]

I think Razors might have an age limit, rollerskates, blades and boards have none. In my unprofessional opinion.  

[carrie]

You'll be fine! You will leave the conference with tons of new professional contacts and possibly some new real friends!

On Tuesday night we doing board games after the official kickoff event, so come to that if you want to meet some people. I'll be hosting the event, along with a few other Instructure employees who love to game, so consider this a personal invite!

Playing board games is a great way to meet new folks over conversation and fun. We'll have snacks and the bar to keep things festive. One attendee,  @beth_ritter-gut , last year wrote a blog post about her time at game night. She noted that "it was one of the best conference "social" activities I have ever attended!".

[Adrienne_J_Gaut]

Instructional design operatives and wandering pandas: watch #CovertID channel and https://community.canvaslms.com/message/74478-instructional-designer-meet-up-covertid  for #InstCon meetup intel.

[cwright1]

I'll be going solo as well.  This is my 2nd year as a Technology Integration Specialist in my district.  My first trip alone...a little nervous.

[rconroy]

 @BethCrook ‌, traciebosket‌,  @jenny_hopf ‌,  @fox , ‌ @michellemeazell  and  @garciah  we've got another solo panda to bring into our "embarrassment" of solo pandas! (for context, see  @dhulsey 's comment on the What Does Canvas Community Mean to YOU? discussion. )

[BethCrook]

I wish I could be there but medical emergency here has cancelled my trip.

On Tue, Jul 18, 2017 at 2:53 PM Roxanne Conroy <instructure@jiveon.com>

[rconroy]

   

[rconroy]

Hope everything turns out OK  @BethCrook !! 

[kenneth_rogers]

[kona]

#sadpanda‌

[scottdennis]

Very sorry to hear that, Beth.  

[Stef_retired]

I am so sorry to hear this,  @BethCrook ‌; it would have been wonderful to see you. Please accept my best wishes for your recovery.

[awilliams]

So sorry to hear that  @BethCrook , but hopefully you'll be able to catch the live streams of the Keynotes and keep up with us here if you are able. Sending you good vibes!

[traciebosket]

 @Adrienne_J_Gaut ‌ #agentk‌

In one of the emails, it says that there is dress-up casino (?) night. In the full agenda, it says it is a movie night. Are these the same thing? Is there going to be a real dress up night? 

[scottdennis]

Hey Tracie,

Some people will totally dress up, count on it!

Per the introvert theme, some people.... won't...

[traciebosket]

Nice

[scottdennis]

I should have taken one without the sunglasses but here is a recent pic of me:

[jenny_hopf]

I can't believe the conference is next week!

Anyone here is taking the Colorado Mountain Express 11am shuttle from the airport on Tuesday???

[rconroy]

YES! I am! Hooray! 11am shuttle for me, too.

I can't believe its next week either! I'll be landing at Denver around 9:30 and waiting around till the shuttle comes (or caffinating myself with poor airport coffee, probably a little of both). According to  @straussi  the ride is pretty long, so bring snacks and some entertainment if you're gonna be bored and hungry on the shuttle. I'll probably be trying to look at the sessions and finalize my schedule for the week since everything will change constantly until then. 

[cwright1]

I will be on the 11am shuttle also!!!  Hope to meet you.

[rconroy]

Yes! So Crystal and Jenny, hopefully we'll connect at the airport!  

[kari]

I can't wait to seek com-panda-ship! I too will be wandering solo, and I am excited! This year will be my first year as last year my daughter's arrival into this world, followed by mental postpartum prevented me from attending! I can't wait to meet all of you or a good portion of you! 

[rconroy]

That Panda Pun deserves a  Nice Work badge. I definitely don't have those skills! And for sure! If you meet up at the Community booth, you will find all the com-panda-ship and panda-monium!  

[kbickell]

I'm going solo as well, went a few years ago to Park City and had a great experience, looking forward to connecting with other solo's...

[rconroy]

Update for all my fellow Wandering Panda's. You may want to pack some extra fur for the trip next week. Looks like we're going to be pretty rainy most of the evenings. Crazy!  

Keystone Resort, CO 10-Day Weather Forecast - The Weather Channel | Weather.com