I am really excited about going to this conference! Many interesting shows, speakers, anawesomePDS program (if I may say so myself) and much more. Jillian Moore, who blogged theHouston conferencewill again do the honors for us in Seattle. Look out for her funny commentaries and insights on the happenings. She will be busy. To lighten the load, I invitedLindsey Snellto co-blog the conference. An undergraduate Metals student at the University of Illinois (with Billie Jean Theide,) Lindsey will add her perspective as a currently enrolled student! Fasten your seat belts. This is going to be interesting.
I am so glad you mention being a first timer! I still remember my first conference, only a few years back... sniff :-) It was a bit scary for me back then.
There are special events going on for first-timers, you will like this. To start things off, the Board will have a meet-and-greet/face-to face with all of you (there is usually a big group of new attendees), then that is followed by a fun "speed dating" event that Harriete Estel Berman and I arrange for the "Smaller Conference Experience". We did it last year, it was a riot. I hope you can come to both events on the first day and meet lots of people in a short time. I think that both events are really welcoming and helpful. In addition, lots of crafthausers will be there, so you can hook up with people that you already know from your "online life..."
OK, so I'd suggest you link yourself into this new FLUX group we have going. I will post all things related to the conference into that group, as will others I am sure, Jillian and Lindsey will start blogging at some point before the conference already.
OMG if you didn't attend the "speed dating" event at SNAG last year - you missed the biggest mosh pit of creative fun at the conference. If you're new to the conference this is absolutely where the party starts.