CONFERENCE EVENTS

Conference coordinators are encouraged to plan their conferences in the best way for their particular institution, region and creative vision.  Following are some events that are required for ACDFA sponsorship and others that have become part of most conferences.  Conferences are not limited to the list below.

Classes/workshops:
Conference Coordinators must schedule a minimum of two full days of classes and workshops including adjudicated concerts in order to qualify for ACDFA sponsorship.  Recent conferences have scheduled at least three days of classes.

Adjudication Concerts and Feedback Sessions:
Conference Coordinators must schedule adjudication concerts and feedback sessions in order to qualify for ACDFA sponsorship.

Gala Concert:
In a National Festival year a Gala Concert comprised of adjudicated works must be scheduled.  In a non-National year, a gala concert is optional.

Membership Meeting:
The Conference Coordinator is responsible for the scheduling of (a) a general membership meeting and (b) a Regional Planning Committee meeting, if the region has such a committee. These meetings may be combined. Student representatives should be invited to the general membership meeting.

Informal Concert(s):
Most conferences have a least one informal concert.  Guidelines for informal concerts are included in Templates for Conference Materials.  These are guidelines and are not ACDFA official policy.

Pre-adjudication Panel with Adjudicators
It is recommended that, if at all possible, the conference schedule a panel with the adjudicators before the first adjudication concert.  The panel introduces the adjudicators to the conference and gives a forum for understanding the adjudicators’ artistic vision, perspective and approach to feedback.  This panel should not conflict with any other conference activities.  Sample questions are available in the Handbook.

Guest Artist/Faculty Concert:
Often conferences present concerts in addition to the adjudication concerts.  Some conferences include a concert solely for faculty choreographed and performed works.  Coordinators should develop guidelines for works to be included in a faculty concert.
Some conferences schedule guest artist concerts.  Some conferences combine faculty and guest artist performances.  This is usually done with adjudicators who may perform one or two works.

Social events for faculty and students:
It is recommended that opportunities for both student and faculty interaction be provided. Social events should be provided for conference participants early in the conference if possible.


Additional events:
Conference coordinators may schedule additional events in any way that is feasible for their facilities and budget.  Additional events at past conferences have included concerts featuring works using technology, dance video/film showings, social events with live bands and a lesson in social dance distinct to the region, reception in art gallery with live performance, faculty-only classes, panels to present faculty research, brown bag lunchtime discussions.