Expectations of attendees:  AERI welcomes a wide variety of scholars at different stages of their academic and professional careers, including doctoral students at all stages in their programs, faculty and postdoctoral scholars engaged in research and pedagogy in the archival studies field, and practitioners with interests in conducting and publishing research in conceptual, theoretical, and empirical domains. The AERI experience is intensive and immersive for most participants, with expectations that attendees will commit to the full week of activities and be active contributors to the conversation via presentation of current work.  For those who may not be able to attend the full week, we will offer day registration for the first time, with the expectation that even our day registrants will engage with the AERI community via a paper or poster presentation, moderation of a session, or participation in a workshop. Applications for full week registration are now open; day registration will begin on April 15, 2016.

Cost of attendance: Participants of the AERI meeting will pay $350 for the week.  As in the past, this fee will include the cost of dormitory housing, breakfast and lunch, receptions, and the faculty and student dinners that we have typically covered in the past.  Expenses that will be paid separately by the participant will include parking (if needed), optional field trips, dinners on your own (including any mentoring dinner at local Kent restaurants), transportation to/from local airports, and any additional nights at the dormitory beyond the five nights covered by the attendance fee. Day registration fees have not been determined yet, but should be an affordable option as well (the fee will include any receptions on the day of registration, but will not include other meals covered in the full-week registration fee or housing in the dormitory).

Conference facilities: Most AERI sessions will be held in the University Library building, which is also home to the School of Library and Information Science.  Our building features many classrooms, meeting spaces, and places for plenaries and receptions.  And the Library is mere steps away from the Kent Student Center, where you will find the University bookstore, casual dining, and the cafeteria where attendees will have breakfast.

Housing:  Students and faculty will stay on campus at a KSU dormitory, in either singles or shared double rooms with private bathrooms.  Attendees who would prefer more luxurious accommodations are encouraged to look at the Kent State University Hotel, close by in downtown Kent: http://www.kentstatehotel.com.  There will be an option for additional nights at the dormitory before and after the conference for attendees coming from long distances who would like the time to acclimate, or for those who need to stay an additional night due to their flight schedule.

Transportation:  Kent State University is within a day’s drive for many of our AERI attendees coming from U.S. Midwest or Northeast destinations.  For those who will be flying to Ohio, there are two possible airports:  1) Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport and 2) Akron-Canton Regional Airport.  Hopkins will be most convenient for our international travelers and those coming from the West Coast, while Akron-Canton is convenient for those coming from U.S. Eastern and Midwestern destinations.  Because transportation to and from the campus can be quite expensive ($60-75 each way), the School will facilitate shared rides by posting a wiki page that will allow people arriving/departing around the same time to share a cab or private car.

Local dining:  Downtown Kent is currently experiencing a revival, kickstarted by the University’s development of a hotel and conference center in the area.  Kent features numerous restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and shopping destinations (see http://www.mainstreetkent.org) where you can take an opportunity to relax in between sessions and on free evenings.

Field trips:  Exciting destinations, to be confirmed in the new year, which are sure to enrich your AERI experience! On your application, conference organizers may ask you to fill out a preference survey to determine demand for particular destinations such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Western Reserve Historical Society, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame (in nearby Canton, Ohio).

New in 2016: