ATP Continues to Move Towards In-person and Hybrid Conferences

"With one successful in-person/hybrid conference to our credit, ATP continues to move forward in providing education and networking experiences both in-person and in hybrid formats. Our Innovations conference in March exceeded our expectations with nearly 800 in-person attendees and 400+ virtual attendees. We will use a similar format for E-ATP in October," remarked ATP CEO Dr. William G. Harris.

Also notable for going forward in-person is the MEA-ATP Conference scheduled for May 12 - 14 in Amman, Jordan. This year's conference theme is Finding New Pathways for Education and Workplace Success and is scheduled to be held at the Rotana Hotel, an iconic hotel located in the city center.

"What is extremely important to note about this conference this year is that the event has been officially recognized with a patronage from the Ministry of Education which will raise the profile of the event and insure quality speakers and presenters as well as attention from local media," Harris noted. 

Additionally, he added, conference organizers from ConnecME (ATP's partner in the Middle East) will be inviting delegates from other important Ministries such as the Jordan Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Labor, as well as NGOs. He noted that a Platinum Sponsor, Riverside Insights, has stepped forward to provide branded bags, and the Call for Presentations will remain open until the end of this week.

Also being planned for this fall is a hybrid Europe-ATP Conference which will return in-person to London, October 11- 13th at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Heathrow and also have a virtual component.  This year's conference theme, E-ATP: The European Home of Assessment, is reflective of an industry desire to reset and return "home" to tackle the myriad of challenges that have grown exponentially during the long days of lock-downs and home schooling and pivoting business strategies.  

"We are looking forward to being back in person as much as we are able. There are so many changes that have happened during the pandemic, and so many challenges ahead. We see this as a time to re-set and re-evaluate where we are now, and where we are going as an industry," remarked E-ATP Chair Tim Burnett.

Burnett noted that E-ATP has always been a place where professionals from across all areas of assessment come together including K-12,  higher education, professional and vocational. "And now, post pandemic, our technology and e-learning partners play a much larger role as we move forward into a new era where it has become commonplace to work, learn and test remotely. And issues such as equity and accessibility have risen to the forefront of today's assessment industry focus," Burnett added.

And for those choosing to attend the virtual programme, there will be networking opportunities, coffee conversations, and other virtual features that bring the feel of an in-person conference to the virtual space.

"We know there is no substitute for that in-person experience, but we also know that many of our colleagues around Europe and beyond are still unable to travel safely - so for them we will provide an experience worthy of their dedication to staying involved and up-to-date with our transforming industry," Burnett concluded.