Tech Talks Logistics Info

Set-up

It might help you to browse photos of the Tech Talk spaces in the ECE Building to help you understand what to expect.

The provided tabletops for food and handouts measure 8 feet long by 2 feet deep and are located outside the classroom. Two large trash bins are also provided.

Student group hosts will help with A/V during setup. Bring your presentation on a laptop. VGA and HDMI connections are available, but you will need to provide your own cord. (If you forget yours, student groups can likely locate one.)

If you have shipped materials in advance of your event, they will be available during the 30 minutes setup period.

Talk Details

Students offer this advice:

• Be clear in your marketing pieces about what the session will cover so students know what to expect. Will the focus be a deep dive into a technical area? Will the focus be a general presentation featuring the company’s areas of expertise? A mix?
• Consider sending engineering and human resources representatives to better field questions about company culture, technical responsibilities, and the hiring process.
• Bring multiple engineering participants of varying ages, if you can; each speaker can cover a particular technical area in some detail before passing to a second speaker with a fresh perspective or project.
• One recent talk focused on a cool technology used by a company. Speakers showed how engineering teams worked to develop them, walked through how the technology works, and highlighted the company’s innovative culture. Only a few minutes were spent on work culture and perks. A key component was in showcasing how the work of students would have the opportunity to impact products and technologies.

Advertising

You will want to prepare a poster to advertise your presence in the ECE Building. In advance, please provide a portrait-oriented, 11-by-17-inch flyer for use around the building, and an image for use on digital display screen, at a 16-inch-by-9-inch ratio. For best distribution to students, please send the poster no later than Tuesday of the week preceding your talk.

Be sure to include on your poster the event time, event location (ECE Building room number), company name and logo, and information about what students can expect. For example, will you collect resumes? Talk subject matter? Allow chatting with engineers and recruiters? Are you providing food, demos, or raffle prizes?

Parking

Parking meters that accept coins are located on Wright Street, just west of the building. Fees are $1 per hour. Space availability is generally good in the evenings.

We can reserve parking spots nearby for $20 each for an all-day pass. Partial days are not available. Parking reservation requests must be made at least one week in advance of your event and are not guaranteed.

Catering

Most companies provide pizza for Tech Talks. We have several chains, including Domino’s and Papa John’s, as well as local favorites such as Papa Del’s. Student group hosts are happy to help with arrangements with advance notice.

Shipping

Giveaways, banners, table covers, and other marketing materials can be shipped in advance. Be sure to track all shipments, and make sure they are scheduled to arrive before the date of your event. Shipments that are scheduled to arrive the same day of your event may not be delivered on time.

SHIP TO:
[Student Group Name]
ATTN: Tech Talk Materials
Illinois ECE
306 N. Wright Street, Room 1016
Urbana, IL 61801

WIFI Acess

The WiFi network IllinoisNet_Start is meant for campus visitors who need temporary access to the campus wireless network. Visitors will need to re-enter their information on this network every 24 hours. For more information please visit the Technology Services website.

Other Helpful Tips

• If you have refreshments, double-check that you have a method of serving them, or bring your own plates, napkins, or cups.
• If you need to plug in a laptop, be sure you have a VGA or HDMI cord.
• If you need to ship materials after the event, be sure you have return labels and tape. UPS and FedEx both service our building, and students can provide your boxes to our shipping and receiving team the following day.
• Consider having student ambassadors or previous interns at your event.
• Consider staying at the Hampton Inn in Urbana, a two-block walk to our building, where you can park for free.