Mark your calendars now for FocusOn Learning 2017. Join us June 20 – 22, 2017, at the Sheraton Hotel & Marina in San Diego, CA!
Conference Participant General Information
Badges
Bookstore
Business Center/Copy Center
BYOL®: Bring Your Own Laptop
Changes in Schedule/Cancelled Sessions
Conference Hotel Address
Conference Materials (Session Materials, Schedules, Guides)
DemoFest
Dinner Groups
Directions, Transportation, and Parking
Docent Program
Dress Code
Evaluations
Expo Hours
Expo Reception
Badges
Please wear your conference badge at all times. Conference badges are required for admission to all sessions, lunches, and event activities.
Bookstore
The Conference Bookstore is the place to find the latest and greatest books on eLearning and training. Once again, BreakPoint Books will offer titles by your favorite authors, conference speakers, keynote presenters, and others. The Bookstore will be located in the Lone Star Foyer.
Bookstore Hours
- Wednesday, June 8, 7:00a – 6:30p
- Thursday, June 9, 7:00a – 7:00p
- Friday, June 10, 7:00a – 12:30p
Business Center/Copy Center
You can reach the business center by calling the hotel’s main number at: +1.512.474.4777.
BYOL®: Bring Your Own Laptop
BYOL® (Bring Your Own Laptop®) sessions ensure that you receive in-depth, hands-on training while following along with the instructor step-by-step. Bring your device or laptop and follow along with the instructor.
See a list of BYOL® sessions here.
Changes in Schedule/Cancelled Sessions
Note that the schedule may change and sessions may be cancelled. Before the event, check the mobile app and the event website for updates.
Conference Hotel Address
All conference activities will take place at JW Marriott Austin:
JW Marriott Austin
110 E. Second St
Austin, Texas 78701
Tel: +1.512.474.4777
Hotel Website
Conference Materials (Session Materials, Schedules, Guides)
You will have access to conference materials such as guides and session materials prior to, during, and after the conference. You can view the session materials here.
DemoFest
DemoFest is a fun and educational opportunity to see eLearning in action. Like a science fair, DemoFest is a collective showcase of eLearning examples where conference participants show off their latest projects. Attendees move from table to table, getting to see a wide variety of solutions to common eLearning challenges we all face and learning about the tools, technologies, and processes used to build them.
Don’t miss FocusOn Learning DemoFest, Thursday, June 9, 5:00p – 7:00p!
Directions and Transportation
For directions and transportation to JW Marriott Austin, click here.
Dinner Groups
Eating alone in your hotel room is not much fun. That is why we suggest you connect with other conference participants for dinner through the event mobile app.
Tweet your dinner plans with hashtags #FocusOnDinner.
Docent Program
We’ve adapted the museum docent concept (a person who is a knowledgeable guide and delivers commentary on the exhibits) for FocusOn Learning as a way of enhancing the conference experience.
Those who choose to participate in any or all of the docent activities scheduled at FocusOn Learning will enjoy a guided experience that has been custom built by someone who not only has an understanding of the field of eLearning but is also experienced at navigating industry conferences.
A complete list of docent activities is included in your conference materials. Join the docents at the orientation session, or stop by the Lone Star Foyer room during any of the Morning Buzz sessions. For a full schedule of Docent events, click here.
Dress Code
Comfortable, casual attire is recommended. We recommend you bring a sweater or jacket, because it can get cool in the evenings as well as in the session rooms.
Evaluations
No more paper! At FocusOn Learning, all session and conference evaluation feedback will be collected exclusively via the mobile app. The evaluation form is short and takes less than two minutes to complete. Your opinions are important to us, as it helps us shape the future of our events. Please take a few moments to complete the evaluation for each session you attend, and be sure to complete the Overall Evaluation before you leave the conference.
Expo Hours
- Wednesday, June 8, 9:30a – 6:30p
- Thursday, June 9, 9:30a – 3:00p
Expo Reception
Wednesday, June 8, 5:00p – 6:30p
Join your fellow conference participants at the Expo Reception, and do a little shopping at the same time. The reception is a perfect opportunity for you to grab a drink and a bite to eat, and then meet some of the important exhibitors. It will also be a great time to meet other conference participants and the conference speakers!
Learning Stages
FocusOn Learning 2016 offers two Learning Stages that focus on these important topics:

The Tools and Tech offers you an opportunity to explore the latest technologies used in delivering content. Sessions on this stage will focus on emerging technologies, as well as new applications for the tools in you already have. Learn from both industry experts and your peers who are leveraging a variety of technologies that are transforming learning and performance today.

At the Strategic Solutions stage you’ll encounter sessions that explore the approaches you can use today to develop and manage the strategy around your learning technology initiatives. Learn more about proven techniques and best practices that can help you plan, implement, and evaluate your solutions at all levels.
Stages will run during the following times:
Wednesday, June 8—10:00a – 6:30p
Thursday, June 9—10:00a – 2:45p
Lost and Found
Please return any found articles to either the conference registration desk or the hotel’s registration desk.
Meals and Beverage Breaks
Early Morning: Coffee and tea service will be provided each morning of the conference. The JW Marriott also has a number of options for breakfast.
- Starbucks (open daily from 6:00a) offers a wide array of coffees, teas, and pastries.
- Osteria Pronto (open daily from 6:30a) offers a large menu that includes everything from eggs benedict to Belgian waffles and a breakfast buffet.
Morning and afternoon refreshment breaks: Break times are listed in the schedule. Specific details regarding breaks can be found on the menu posted in the conference app.
Lunch: Lunch is provided on Monday and Tuesday to those attending pre-conference workshops, and Wednesday and Thursday as part of your conference fee. A menu for each day can be found in the mobile app. Lunch tickets are required for admission to lunch area.
Dinner: Dinner is not provided as part of your conference fee but there are many options in Downtown Austin.
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Mobile App
Download the best eLearning conference app in the industry! You can access session materials, create a custom schedule, find exhibitors, navigate the event, and much, much more…
Download the conference mobile app. You can also visit the iTunes app store or Google Play and search for FocusOnLearn.
To log into the mobile app you will need the following:
Email address: the email address you registered for the event with
Password: focuson

App Rewards
In addition, your participation in the app qualifies you to score some sweet swag! 50 points wins a t-shirt. See app for details.
Mobile Devices
PLEASE DO tweet, blog, and text about the event (see the Social Media section below for tags), but as a courtesy to other attendees and the presenters, please silence all mobile devices during the sessions. If you must take or make a phone call, please leave the session room.
Morning Buzz
Kick-start your day with Morning Buzz, the ever-popular “Early Bird” discussions. This is your chance to grab a cup of coffee and meet other conference attendees in a relaxed, casual environment, so you can share your best practices, insights, and tips while learning from one another’s experiences. There are various discussions each morning, so take a few moments to review the complete lineup of topics.
Morning Buzz will take place each morning from 7:30a – 8:15a.
In addition, each day there will be Morning Buzz areas set aside for those participating in the Docent Program as an opportunity to share and reflect on learning and to discuss the itinerary for each day.
Networking with Other Event Participants
Participants will have many opportunities, both formal and informal, to network with other event participants at the reception, during meals and breaks, and during DemoFest, to name just a few examples.
We suggest that you bring a generous supply of business cards.
Optional Pre-conference Certificate Workshops
- The Optional Pre-conference Certificate Programs will be held on Monday, June 6 and Tuesday, June 7
- They are full day events.
- A separate paid registration is required to attend.
Orientation Session
If you are new to Guild events or FocusOn Learning, take time to join us for one of our orientation sessions being held on Tuesday afternoon from 5:00p – 5:45p in the Lone Star Foyer room. This session will provide tips that will help you get the most from the conference program, expo, and other event activities.
Registration Desk Hours
- Monday, June 6, 7:30a – 5:00p
- Tuesday, June 7, 7:30a – 6:00p
- Wednesday, June 8, 7:00a – 6:00p
- Thursday, June 9, 7:00a – 7:00p
- Friday, June 10, 7:00a – 12:30p
Security
Don’t leave purses, computers, or other valuables unattended or in the session rooms!
Social Media
There are a number of options for connecting with your fellow FocusOn Learning participants on social media:
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Be sure to follow @FocusOnLearn for the latest conference updates, and join the conversation using the hashtag #FocusOnLearn. |
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Join the eLearning Guild’s LinkedIn Group here. |
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Get the latest updates, including photos from the conference, by linking our page on Facebook. |
Wireless Internet Access
Wireless internet access will be provided throughout the main conference space.
SSID: JW Marriott Conference Network
Password: focuson
NOTE: There is a separate fee through the hotel if you want internet access in your hotel room.