Friday, May 29, 2015

Everything you need to know before you go to the Teachers Pay Teachers Conference in Las Vegas

Whether you attended the first annual Teachers Pay Teachers Conference last year or you're a newbie, I'm sure you're filled with excitement, butterflies, and a ton of questions.  It's Kristen from Easy Teaching Tools and I'm so excited for all of my new friends to attend this year but I started to feel like a broken record when they'd ask me what to expect.  So...I created a little post to help answer some of your questions.
Order yours from Vista Print or somewhere similar.  Mine never showed up last year so I quickly uploaded my design to Staples and they had them done within the hour.  I ordered 500 and have a full box, just about.  They have come in handy for So Cal Teacher meet ups this year!

I used Zazzle last year and the 3 inch one was about 3 bucks!



It's fun waiting in line and recognize faces from friends you've been collaborating stalking all year!
Make sure to include your name, blog name, e mail, and phone number on your labels!  There will be a large conference room set up with all of your favorite teaching products and companies giving away swag and selling lots of goodies.
You'll wear your lanyard at the conference but many wore their buttons {I did} because they stood out!



I was so scared to ask people to take photos with them, but looking back, I'm glad I did!

 Meet Ups are so much fun.  If you attended the one I co-hosted last year with Courtney from Ramona Recommends, you know exactly what I'm talking about!

Don't forget to get organized for the big conference.  This planner is jam packed with the tips mentioned in this post, as well as notes, schedules, and meet up pages.

Grab this sample page by clicking on the photo and saving it!

Speaking of meet ups, I'm so excited to announce that the girls and I from The Primary Pack are hosting a fun meet up, similar to the one I put on last year.
We are incredibly thankful to A+ Images and Go Noodle for sponsoring this event.
We'll have great giveaways and prizes from some of your favorite companies, teacher authors, and more, so stay tuned!  All you have to do is click on the photo to reserve your spot!  
For those of you going to Vegas, leave a comment below so we can meet you!
Don't worry if you won't be in Vegas, we have some fun things planned for you friends as well!  

53 comments:

  1. I've been to many conferences for an array of topics but I've never been to anything quite like this! I'm usually never nervous about conferences but I must admit this one has me shooked! Thank you for taking the time to think about the many "first-timers" who will be attending but who are nervous as heck!

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  2. Great post Kristen! I feel like I am asked questions about the conference often! Now, I can send them to this post! :) I'm looking forward to seeing everybody again! The picture of the group of us from the meet up makes me miss everyone!
    Mrs. Olson’s Lucky Little Learners

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    1. I can't wait to see you again and give you a big HUG!

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  3. I can't wait for Vegas! I am so excited! Thank you for all of your amazing tips too!! Can't wait for your meet up!! So excited!!

    Mrs. 3rd Grade 

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  4. I cannot wait to meet everyone!!!
    Hooray!!
    Diane

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  5. I cannot wait to meet everyone!!!
    Hooray!!
    Diane

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  6. I am looking forward to meeting each and every blogger from The Primary Pack! It has been fun reading everyone's posts this year. Thanks for the tips, and thanks for hosting!
    First Grade Bangs

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  7. Great tips! So wish I was going but I am hoping for next year!!

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  8. Thanks so much for these awesome tips! Definitely doing the labels and the button! So excited to go this year! Hope to meet up!

    Traci
    The Bender Bunch

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  9. Great tips! Thank you so much for sharing!!
    Pam
    Mrs. P's Specialties

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  12. Thanks for sharing your tips! This will be my first year, so they are very helpful. Looking forward to meeting you! :)

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  13. Thank you so much for these tips! I am so excited to network with people and make some new friends.

    Katie

    A Basket Full of Apples

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  14. I love reading the posts from The Primary Pack gals! Can't wait to see you again in Vegas!

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  15. Fantastic post with lots of great tips! So looking forward to meeting everyone. Can't wait!

    ~Laura
    Luv My Kinders

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  16. Thank you for this post! This will be my first time and I am super excited :)
    Julie
    The Techie Teacher

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  17. Love the label idea for the giveaways! Got in too late last year and missing the big meet-ups. How many labels do you think I'll need?

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    1. I'd do a sheet of labels and you should be good! I didn't use all of mine last year.

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  18. Thank you so much for this post. I am so excited to be going again this year and can't wait for your event! Can't wait to meet everyone!

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    1. Looking forward to seeing you again this year, Tracy!

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  19. This post is awesome! I have been spending hours reading past threads on TPT discussion boards and this post contains everything in one place! Thank you so much! This can be so overwhelming for a newbie who doesn't know anyone! I would be that awkward person wanting to take photos with my blogging heros, but would be too afraid that they would think I'm a weirdo. Thanks for adding that tip in there as well! I am incredibly excited to learn lots and to make new friends!
    Amy

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  20. This post is awesome! I have been spending hours reading past threads on TPT discussion boards and this post contains everything in one place! Thank you so much! This can be so overwhelming for a newbie who doesn't know anyone! I would be that awkward person wanting to take photos with my blogging heros, but would be too afraid that they would think I'm a weirdo. Thanks for adding that tip in there as well! I am incredibly excited to learn lots and to make new friends!
    Amy

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  21. Thank you so much for this post! Totally awesome tips and information. I can't wait to meet everyone at the Meet Up and hopefully before too! Thanks for organizing this! Let me know if I can help out in anyway!

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  22. Thanks for sharing this and for planning an amazing Meet Up!

    Kristin
    Teaching In A Nutshell

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  23. Hopefully, we will meet up in July, 2016. I've never been but am planning it for next summer. I guess I need to make these online friend, first.

    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2015/06/ww-im-having-sale-at-my-store.html

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  24. Hey! I loved going to your meetup last year. Are ya'll accepting prize donations? I'd love to donate some clipart or other prizes.
    PS Your cookies with the logo were adorable at year. Look forward to seeing you again in Vegas!

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    1. Hi Tonja,
      So sorry I'm seeing this now. Feel free to e mail me at kristen.easyteachingtools@gmail.com
      Kristen

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  25. Great tips Kristen, I thought I was excited before, now I am even more excited!!! I CANNOT WAIT for July. Seeing the photos made me remember how much fun the conference is, not to mention how awesome the Venetian is! Thanks for your fabulous tips. I especially like the one about leaving extra room in your bag. I aim to half fill mine, well that's the plan anyway! Emma

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  26. I'm excited and can't wait to meet everyone!

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  27. I love this post! Putting your contact info on labels for giveaways is a great idea! This will be my first year going and I can't wait to meet everyone and learn a lot!
    ~Heather :)

    Recipe for Teaching

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  28. I'm excited about this! Can't wait to meet everyone!

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  29. This is so great!! I can't wait! Your packet is so great! I wish we would of had it last year. Such a great way to stay organized. Thank you for putting this meet-up together!! See you in Vegas!
    Lindsey:)

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  30. Thank you for such a great post. I'll be in Vegas all week, presenting at I Teach K, but flying home Fri night so I'll miss your meet-up. So bummed about that. I'll have to look for you at the TPT Conference.
    Palma (from KFUNdamentals)

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    1. I'm so bummed you will miss it! I feel like we collaborate so much in the So Cal group so I'm looking forward to seeing you in person!

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  31. Love the tip about address labels. I need to work on that. I'm excited to join you at your meetup. It sounds awesome. I don't use Facebook so I thought maybe I could put my RSVP in the comments instead. Can't wait!

    Sara
    Sara J Creations

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  32. Super excited about getting to Vegas this year. Thank you so much for all the tips & I can't wait to meet up with everyone ! :)

    Kelly
    First Grade Fairytales

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  33. Thanks for sharing you tips! They've been super helpful to this nervous first-timer. :)

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  34. Thank you Kristin for all the great tips. This is my first year going. Your tip to bring pre-printed labels for giveaways is such a time saver. Filling out forms is a drag when you want to spend time chatting!

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  35. Thank you for putting this together, Kristen. It helps to 'see' it, and the tips are great. I had fun last year, but had no idea everything else that was going on around me! Looking forward to so much more this year!!

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    1. I had no idea what was going on around me either, it was such a whirlwind. Hopefully we'll be be "pros" this year!

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  36. Thanks for awesome tips! Looking forward to the meet up!

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  37. Thank you so very much for this post! This is my first conference and it was so very helpful! I hope to meet you!

    Tina O'Block

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