UX2024!
We are so excited about our upcoming user conference February 26, 27, 28, hosted by the fabulous SeaWorld Orlando! We have added an extra day to UX to allow more time for attendees to discuss specific topics, best practices, mentoring, to get additional help, etc. in a workshop format.
Everyone is welcome - our User Conference is unbeatable for new users, for getting up to speed on new features, and for learning from the community.
Do note that we are not planning a virtual component this year.
Keep reading for the agenda, maps and visitor information.
AGENDA
Breakfasts are on your own!
Meet at the Ports of Call Entrance each morning at 9.m. There will be signs and staff to direct us to our venue, Ports of Call Dock 23.
MONDAY, February 26
9:00 arrival at Ports of Call Entrance/check-in
9:00 -9:30 Discovery Cove Animal Ambassador visit!
9:30 Welcome from Dr. Dold
Morning topics include:
New Research Studies features!
Tracks for IACUC Requests
New Events
Transactions
Species planning
12:00 -1:00 Lunch: Lunch provided on-site
Afternoon
1:00 - 2:00 Presentations
2:00 - 4:30 Breakout groups and workshops: Suggested topics include: Collection Planning. Species Planning, Research Studies, Updating data from AZA. Taxonomy config. Events configuration
Evening: Dinner on your own. Tracks crew will head for the Orena Sports Bar - it's close, spacious, and gets a thumbs up from the locals.
TUESDAY, February 27
9:00 arrival at Ports of Call Entrance
9:30 Presentations start - Morning topics include:
Power BI demo
Pocket Tracks: user demonstrations, roadmap
Ambassador Animals and Biofacts
Action Plans/Tasks
Enrichment: Design for upgrades
11 a.m. Discovery Cove Animal Ambassadors visit!
12:00 p.m. Lunch: Lunch vouchers provided, so we can roam around the park.
1:30/1:45 p.m. Behind the Scenes Shark Encounter
2:15 p.m. Feeding at Pacific Point
2:30 p.m. SLO presentation
3:15 p.m. Coral Rescue and Manatee Rescue Tours
4:15 p.m. Dolphin Encounter
4:30 p.m. Free time in the park
6:15 p.m. Everybody meets up at the polar bear statue
6:30 p.m. Walrus presentation
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Dinner/drinks underwater at Wild Arctic
WEDNESDAY, February 28
9:00 arrival at Ports of Call Entrance
9:30 Presentations start - morning topics include:
Rescues
Coral record keeping
Permits
Pharmacy/Medical Supply Inventory
Commissary Kiosks
Nutrition/Diet Approval planning
12:00 -1:00 p.m. Lunch provided on-site
1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Workshops
2:30 p.m. Discovery Cove Animal Ambassador visit!
Afternoon Workshops/Discussion. Suggested topics include: Rescue reporting, Nutrition Advisory, Pocket Planning/Implementation, Import Tools assistance, Mentor programs.
Good to Know:
Anyone with some extra time in Orlando, you can visit SeaWorld for free on Thursday after the conference!
Attendees can park for free at SeaWorld.
SeaWorld doesn't accept cash.
Bring a reusable water bottle! We will have a water station set up for the conference. Let's reduce our use of plastic when we can.
MAPS!
There are Walgreens and CVS right next to both hotels. Next to the Springhill Suites there is also a Starbucks, Panera, Mellow Mushroom, Buffalo Wild Wings, and TGI Fridays. There is also a Publix (grocery store) just down the street from the Springhill Suites. Next to the Hampton Inn there is a Bonefish Grill and a 7-11.
Here's a general map of the area, with the two conference hotels and our attendee entrance, the Ports of Call entrance. Orena Sports Bar, a good place to meet up Monday night, is also marked on the map:
Walking from the SpringHill Suites to Ports of Call Entrance
This is the longer walk, about 1.63 miles. The map below specifically outlines where the sidewalks are and where to cross the streets. When walking into the parking lot, make a right at the SECOND parking exit. You will see a giant mural as soon as you walk into the parking lot that says Pipeline. The Ports of Call entrance is directly to the right of that mural:
Walking from the Hampton Inn
This walk is about half a mile. When walking from the Hampton Inn down Sea Harbor Drive you can either cross at Central Florida Parkway or continue down Sea Harbor and cross at the Renaissance Hotel crosswalk into the parking lot. It will be the SECOND parking exit. Walk across the lot towards the giant mural that says Pipeline. The Ports of Call entrance is directly to the right of that mural:
Drop-off, Entrance, and Parking
FYI- if your hotel offers a shuttle and you take it, keep in mind they will take you to the bus and taxi drop off. You will need to walk a quarter mile South on the sidewalk to get to the Ports of Call Entrance.
If you are driving in, go in through the main park entrance off Central Florida Parkway and tell the staff at tolls that you are there for a special event at Ports of Call. They will not charge you (if they try to, call Kaylin at 727-599-9744). Do not drive all the way down to the entrance to park. Look for the Ports of Call entrance (next to the giant Pipeline mural) and park closer to that space. It will be a long walk if you park by the entrance of the park:
Recommended Restaurants
Optional Monday night meet up at Orena Sports Bar: 6159 Westwood Blvd, Orlando, FL 32821. It’s a divey sports bar. Food is decent bar food (wings, sandwiches, etc) and they have cornhole, darts, pool, and ping pong. Super casual, fun hang. 1 mile walk from Hampton Inn, 0.88 mile walk from Springhill Suites.
For folks looking for a good meal on Sunday night and/or Wednesday night, below are our favorite restaurants near SeaWorld.
Sushi Kichi
5368 Central Florida Parkway
Closed Mondays
Japanese food. Great sushi bowls! Smaller, cozy spot
Selam Ethiopian Cuisine
5494 Central Florida Parkway
SO GOOD. Great for groups because you can order a giant platter of food to share.
Oishi Sushi
11025 International Drive
Good sushi, very accommodating for groups, great customer service
Thai Thani
11025 International Drive, next to Oishi
Fun décor, great thai food
Mellow Mushroom
10725 International Drive
Ginther’s Swirls Ice Cream
11036 International Drive
Great ice cream
All the touristy fun stuff is about 3 miles/15 minutes down International Drive. There is a Top Golf, Indoor Karting, Wonderworks, Café Tu Tu Tango, Pirates Cove Adventure Golf, Gordon Ramsay Fish and Chips, Madame Tussauds, Ice Bar, and escape rooms all down the road. Icon Park is full of restaurants and has the Orlando Eye (giant Ferris Wheel).
LODGING
Both SpringHill and the Hampton offer free breakfast and there is not a catered UX breakfast.
SpringHill Suites Orlando at SeaWorld®
10801 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32821-6007, (407) 354-1176
Included: Complimentary Basic Wi-Fi in the sleeping rooms. Complimentary Breakfast Daily.
We have complimentary parking at SpringHill. Guests with cars should mention this at check-in and confirm their bill does not include parking.
Hampton Inn & Suites at SeaWorld®
7003 Sea Harbor Dr. Orlando FL 32821
Included: Complimentary Wi-Fi. Complimentary Breakfast Daily