The FAQ Page
We took the time to put together some Frequently Asked Questions for your NASH80 adventure this Jan. 4-Jan. 7, 2018. In the spirit of organization, we will be updating this page as the weeks go on. If you see an outdated answer, let us know!
Also contact sierra@cup.ca to add more to this list and ask your unanswered NASH80 questions.
See you soon!
Transportation
Q: Where is this conference happening again?
A: The Delta Chelsea Hotel in Toronto! Located at 33 Gerrard St W, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z4.
Q: If I’m coming from the airport, how do I get there?
A: We recommend taking public transportation from Pearson Airport. You can take the UP Express to Union Station, then take the subway up a few stops to College station. Taking a cab will most likely take the same amount of time but cost way more. Check out the map on our website.
Q: How far is the conference space from the hotel rooms?
A: It’s all in the same building, my friend—you are a few steps away!
Q: How will we be getting to the evening events?
A: For the meet and greet night, it will be a short walk from the hotel. For the JHM gala afterparty, it will be a short 15-minute streetcar ride away (or an even shorter cab ride)! Check out our event guide for all the details you need.
Registration
Q: When can I register/sign in at the conference?
A: You can register until 6 p.m. (on Jan. 4)! But we recommend doing it before 5 p.m. so that you can settle into your rooms and get ready for the evening festivities that start at 5:30 p.m.
Q: Do I need to carry NASH80 identification with me?
A: Yes, you will be given a NASH80 delegate tag to keep around your neck so we know you aren’t sneaking into our conference!
Q: What happens if I can’t register on time?
A: Email or find one of our coordinators and we can make separate arrangements. Our contact information is on our website.
Q: What happens if I lose my tag?
A: Again, if you’re that guy who lost their tag, you can contact a coordinator to help you out.
Food
Q: When will I be getting food at the conference?
A: We only serve dinner on Jan. 4th and 6th! The 5th is a free day for you to explore the city. There’s lots of food to grab for lunch around the Chelsea. We even made a list of ideas (below).
Q: Any suggestions where to eat?
A: Hellz to the yeah. Check out this Medium blog post to find out what we have to say!
Q: What if I am deathly allergic to something?
A: Don’t forget to fill out your dietary needs/limitations when you buy your tickets on Eventbrite! If you need any other dietary or accessibility requests, email sidney@cup.ca.
Hotel
Q: When should I arrive at the hotel?
A: Come early. You can start checking in at 3 p.m. but you don’t want to show up too late because the opening ceremonies start at around 5:30 p.m.!
Q: What happens if I arrive early?
A: No problem. We can hold onto your bags while you have a chance to check out the area and grab a bite to eat.
Q: What if I want to stay an extra night/I want to arrive a day early?
A: Sorry bud, you’ve got to book that one on your own (but hit us up if you need some guidance on other logistics).
JHMs
Q: I nominated some stuff for the JHMs, what now?
A: We’ll send your masthead an invoice to pay, then you will be notified if you’re one of the top 3 finalists in late November or early December.
Q: What happens if I submitted to the JHMs but didn’t get a NASH ticket?
A: You can’t get your award if you don’t come to the conference! Come be an award-winning journalist!
Q: How do I know that the results are fair?
A: All the submissions that the judges receive are blinded (names and mastheads are excluded). Our JHM coordinator is also a neutral person — no current Eyeopener or CUP people are involved.
Events
Q: What organized events are taking place?
A: On Jan. 4th we’ve got a meet and greet at three locations. On the 5th, you can catch a comedy show or come to the entertainment district. On the 6th, we’ve planned our JHM gala night afterparty at The Hideout — a venue on College by Bathurst. CHECK OUT THE DETAIL HERE.
Q: Can I bring my friends to the NASH social events?
A: Yeah! The more the merrier! But for the afterparty we’ll be asking them to pay a small fee at the door—they’ll have a great time though, we promise
Q: I’m underaged, but the afterparty is a bar… can I still come?
A: Of course! We are planning all-ages events, but please contact sierra@cup.ca to let her know if you are underaged so she can plan some more if needed!
Speaker Session
Q: Where can I find the schedule?
A: Schedule is posted on the website!
Q: Can I talk to speakers one-on-one?
A: If the speaker has the time after their session, you can approach them on your own. OR you can sign up for our one-on-one sessions, to get advice + critique on pitches and pieces—email farnia@cup.ca.
Q: I want to sign up for a critique or pitch workshop, how do I do this?
A: They have been posted! Email farnia@cup.ca to sign up for a session.
Plenary
Q: So… what is plenary anyway?
A: Plenary is meant for members of the Canadian University Press to come together to talk, plan any agenda and have meetings. Throughout the week, there will be an opening plenary, mid-week plenary and closing plenary. CUP members partaking in travel pool must have a representative at each plenary…attendance will be tracked, and not attending will result in the cheque being held back for your masthead.
Q: How long is it usually?
A: Not gonna lie, in the past the final plenary has lasted like six hours…but this year, we anticipate it won’t take nearly as long. Do be prepared for plenary to go into the late afternoon, so book your flights in the evening if you’re a CUP member!
Q: Why should I be interested in going?
A: This is your chance to have your voice heard! You can have a say in the motions passed and let CUP know how they’re doing and what needs to change. Big things happened at last year’s meeting (why do you think membership fees are so low??) so make sure you are included this year to make more movements.
Q: If I can’t attend, can I get the minutes afterwards?
A: Talk to CUP president Cam Raynor (contact below) and he can get you in touch with the right people.
Bidding for NASH81 (do it!!!)
Q: What do I need to bid to host the next NASH?
A: You’ll need to get at least two coordinators to take of the bulk of the work, but you should get some of your masthead staff to get involved too! Think about if your city would be a good location? What theme you have in mind? Are you fully dedicated to this?
Q: How do I prepare my bid?
A: You’ll have to make a really short presentation of sorts at closing plenary. You can give a little speech and explain why your team and your paper would be the ideal host for NASH81. You won’t have all the details sorted out, but pitching your ideas and your coordinators will give the board an idea of what to expect.
Q: Why should I bid anyway? What are the benefits?
A: While hosting NASH is a huge responsibility and a lot of work, you’ll be working with industry professionals closer than you would in most situations. The amount of learning you’ll do and the experience you’ll get is pretty wild. The best reason to host NASH is because you are inspired enough to keep this tradition going and to continue to give CUP the amazing opportunity to connect each year.
Socials
Q: Can I take pictures during the sessions?
A: Mostly yes! But please ask the speaker prior, just to be polite.
Q What hashtag should I be using in my socials posts?
A: #NASH80 is good and easy! Let’s go viral, y’all.
Q: What are all of the NASH socials anyway?
A: Our NASH80 website
Our Twitter
Our Medium Blog
Our Eventbrite page
Our CUP NASH Facebook page
Our Facebook event page
Getting in touch
Q: None of these answer my question! What now?
A: You can contact any of the coordinators and they can answer your questions directly or we can add more to this list!
Sierra Bein, social coordinator
sierra@cup.ca
Contact for: General inquiries. Scheduling, speaker, events, social media.
Farnia Fekri, logistics coordinator
farnia@cup.ca
Contact for: Hotel questions, budgeting, sponsorship.
Sid Drmay, logistics coordinator
sidney@cup.ca
Contact for: Registration, volunteers, billing and invoicing.
Sean Wetselaar, JHM coordinator
jhm@cup.ca
Contact for: JHM awards, nominations and judging questions
Cam Raynor, Canadian University Press president.
president@cup.ca
Contact for: CUP inquiries, travel pool, memberships, contacting CUP board.
