Featured Guide
First-time attendee guide
Welcome to Bloom. A short orientation to help you make the most of the week.
Before you arrive
- Complete registration and add the conference dates to your calendar.
- Skim the schedule and bookmark 3–5 sessions per day. You don't have to plan every hour.
- Pre-book your hotel — the conference block fills quickly.
- Pack comfortable shoes. Sessions are distributed across campus.
Your first day
Pick up your badge at the IU Auditorium lobby between 8:00 and 9:00 AM on Monday. Coffee and pastries are provided. The opening plenary starts at 9:00 — arrive 10 minutes early to find a seat.
Making the most of sessions
- Mix tracks. Don't only attend sessions in your specialty — cross-pollination is the point.
- Workshops over talks. If you have to choose, prioritize hands-on workshops.
- Be a good audience member. Ask questions in Q&A. The best conversations start there.
- Step out when needed. Days are long — take walks, skip a session, recharge.
Networking that doesn't feel awkward
Coffee breaks, the welcome reception, and the Thursday dinner are the easiest places to meet new people. Approach someone whose talk you enjoyed and tell them so. Have a question ready.
After the conference
Recordings of all plenaries and most keynotes will be posted to the video archive within four weeks. Photo archive goes live the week after.