MWSUG 2012 Special Events

First-Timers Session

Sunday, September 16, 4:00pm-5:00pm
Lake Superior A Room, to Mirage Room

For first-time attendees, this session is designed to help you get the most out of your conference experience. We'll highlight the opportunities that are available to you, give you some tips for planning your conference days, and answer questions you may have. You'll also get to check out the SAS® Demo Area before it officially opens!

Volunteers and Speakers Meeting

Sunday, September 16, 5:00pm-5:30pm
Lake Superior A Room

This session is open to all conference speakers and volunteers. We'll review the volunteer schedule, discuss the audio-visual setup in the meeting rooms, review volunteer duties and presentation procedures, and answer any questions you may have. You'll also get to meet the chair of the section in which you will be speaking or volunteering, and speakers and session coordinators will get to meet each other.

Sunday Opening Session & Reception

Sunday, September 16
6:00pm - 7:00pm Buffet Dinner, Nicollet Ballroom A&B
7:00pm - 8:30pm: Opening Session & Keynote Address, Nicollet Ballroom A&B
8:30pm - 10:00pm: Opening Reception, Mirage Room (SAS Demo Room)

Kick off the conference with the opening session, dinner, and a reception. We'll enjoy an elegant meal and a special keynote address from SAS Institute's own Kathy Council. After dinner, network with your fellow SAS users at the opening reception in the SAS Demo Room.

Monday Dinner & Networking Event

Sponsored by SAS Institute
Guthrie Theater
Monday, September 17

Shuttle Transport Provided:
Round Trip Hyatt to the Guthrie every 30 Minutes starting at 5:30pm.
Last shuttle returns to the Hyatt at 11:00pm.

Minneapolis Riverfront Tour – 6:00-7:30pm

Walk the Minneapolis riverfront and learn about its dramatic past and bright future. Participants will visit the historic district at St. Anthony Falls, which was once the milling center of the world and is now a growing cultural, recreational, and residential neighborhood. A guide from Mill City Museum will lead visitors onto the Stone Arch Bridge for a spectacular view of the falls, the historic buildings surrounding it, and downtown Minneapolis. The guide also will tell stories of the people who have worked and lived in the area and how it has changed over the years.

Guthrie Theater
Chef Station Food (6:00-11:00), Dessert Bar (9:00-11:00)

Duke it Out: Intro to Stage Combat
7:30pm, 8:30pm, or 9:30pm (in groups of 50)

An introduction for people of all ages to the swashbuckling excitement of stage combat. You and your classmates will learn the basic moves of sword play, choreographed punches and orchestrated falls.

Note: The Walking Tour and Combat Demos are only available to the first 150 attendees for each option. These tickets will be awarded randomly in the registration packets. Those who do not receive one of these activity options will be awarded an extra beverage ticket of equal value.