Been There...Done That

I know everyone is getting starting on their packing for Convention, right? I polled some AAC Chairman and Pi Phi officers. I asked them to give me some tips for all of the first time Convention attendees. Read below for some helpful hints from those who have been there before!

*Bring a sweater or light jacket. The meeting rooms are always cold!
Stephanie Zuniga, TX Eta AAC Chair

*Bring Tylenol PM - even though you are exhausted, it's hard to shut down and go to sleep right away.
*Don't count on your roommate to wake you up in the morning. Set your own alarm or wake up call.
*Bring a little notebook with you everywhere to write down names, emails and phone numbers of new Pi Phi friends.
*Don't sit with your chapter friends at meals, make new friends
*Introduce yourself to the alums - they love talking with the collegians
Lisa Sabatino, Region 6 Housing/Finance Specialist



*If you have to have your coffee/latte in the morning, coordinate with your roommate. One goes down to get it while the other showers...the lines will be far less an hour before session.
*If you like a coke with lunch... or in the evening... bring it. Hotels are notorious for overcharging for pop. Ice tea, coffee and water are the standard beverages.
*another useful item... bandaids. They will do a LOT of walking on tile floors, and standing... and doing it in dressy shoes. I'll have some but if, like me, you are prone to blisters... be proactive
*drink lots and lots of water. you will be eating richer food than you normally eat
*bring a pad of post-its.... there are never enough pins on the message boards!
*bring chargers...camera and phone!
Karen Gunther, Region 6 Risk Management/Policy Specialist

*Bring extra hangers as there are not enough in the rooms
*Keep a bottle of water in your bag at all times as it is easy to get dehydrated
*Branch out from the people from your chapter...you will get so much more out of the weekend by meeting new and different people. You may never know what you have in common or who you both know if you don't ask
*Don't be afraid to walk up to Fraternity Officers and introduce yourselves...they are all very approachable and love meeting as many of you as possible
*Always have your camera will you (and charged) as there are great photo opportunities at all times and you never know what surprises are in store
*Ask questions...there are no silly questions...you are probably not the only one who is thinking it
Suzanne Malone, Collegiate Region 6 Director

*Bring Visine, the dry air in Convention rooms make it a must!
Linda Ibsen, Grand Vice President of Programming


*It is hot and humid in Dalla, heat index is hovering around 100 however, the meeting rooms are typically very chilly so dress in layers and bring a wrap for meetings.
*Convention is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself and get as much rest as possible. Try to meet as many Pi Phis of all ages as possible, you will truly understand the meaning of our values after this fun, rewarding experience
Janet Ivy, TX Beta AAC Chair

*Bring a pair of flipflops and put them in your tote bag. That way when your feet hurt you will have a comfy pair of shoes.
Holly Bergbower, Region 6 Operations Specialist