Planning for the Chicago ICA conference is moving ahead with a slew of exciting developments.
My hope is that this conference will encourage people to move beyond their comfort zones by talking to people with whom they don't normally converse and engaging in activities that often fall under their radar. Conceptually, the conference theme - Keywords in Communication - is gearing up to do just that. It is already bringing in lots of queries and ideas about possible theme sessions, options for cross-unit programming (to be submitted by unit chairs and program planners), and additional activities that build on the keywords theme. Pragmatically, we'll be hosting a rotating tour of Chicago's neighborhoods at this year's conference, which will hopefully get many of us out into the city exploring its multiple diverse communities. Stuart Allan, the theme chair, and the local host committee, under the helm of James Ettema, are busy at work figuring out how to address these various programming options creatively as part of the Chicago conference.
This year's conference will also host a number of different programming options from previous years. Firstly, we will be having an opening and closing plenary. Though we haven't yet finalized who will be giving our opening plenary, I'm happy to share the news that Ulrich Beck, the German scholar on risk communication, will give the closing plenary. Please take note of the date: Monday, May 25. Additionally, we'll be having an off-site conference-wide reception on Sunday night, May 24, at the Chicago Tribune's Freedom Museum, situated directly across the street from the hotel. Because these events are scheduled on Sunday and Monday, they will require hanging around the conference till the en d , but I am hopeful that, together with the great conference rate of $109, this will create an irresistible momentum to stay with the conference through its final two days!
We already have lined up a full roster of preconference proposals, including one on fair use and academic freedom, one on religion and politics, and one on keywords in global communication and social change. If the response to the preconferences is any indication of interest in this year's ICA, then ICA in Chicago could be one of the largest conferences in recent years.
So let me conclude with a reminder to all to put the final touches on your papers, panels and posters for submission by November 3. The Call for Conference Papers is on the ICA home page -- www.icahdq.org -- and it offers full details of everything you need to know for submission. Chicago is a vibrant and wonderful city, and ICA in Chicago promises to be an exciting and productive conference. I can't wait to see you all there!
