Imagine the Possibilities

Save the Date for PLA 2020

Get ready! The PLA Conference is heading to Nashville, February 25–29, 2020, to bring together the best minds in public libraries. An exceptional fusion of people and knowledge, the PLA Conference is where public library leaders are made. Join us in Nashville to do more than develop new skills and talk about how far our libraries have come—be a part of inventing what comes next.

Registration for the PLA 2020 Conference will open in fall 2019. Sign up to receive an e-mail notification when registration opens.

Imagine the Possibilities!

Thank you for attending the PLA 2018 Conference

Relive the memories of the PLA 2018 Conference by viewing the photo on our Facebook page. The albums below include shots from Wednesday through Saturday of the conference. Enjoy! You can also relive PLA 2018 with video highlights from the conference.


We hope you’ll join us in Nashville in 2020

Daily Schedule

Tuesday 20 Wednesday 21 Thursday 22 Friday 23 Saturday 24

7:30 AM–5:00 PM Registration Open

9:00 AM–5:00 PM Full Day Preconferences

2:00 PM–5:00 PM Half Day Preconferences

Preconferences

Get a head start on learning; attend an in-depth preconference on Tuesday before the full conference opens. Separate registration is required. More »

Explore Philadelphia

Philadelphia has something for everyone. It’s fun, wild, quirky, historic, contemplative, and inspirational all at once. It’s the metropolis that brought the world everything from the Declaration of Independence to The Roots and beyond. More »

7:30 AM–6:30 PM Registration Open

9:00 AM–12:00 PM Half Day Preconferences

9:30 AM–10:30 AM Book Buzz: Presented by Booklist

10:45 AM–11:45 AM Imagine the Possibilities with Kari Chapin

2:00 PM–3:30 PM Opening Session with Sally Yates

3:30 PM–6:30 PM Exhibits Opening Reception

3:30 PM–6:30 PM PLA Pavilion Open

Preconferences

Get a head start on learning; attend an in-depth preconference on Wednesday before the full conference opens. Separate registration is required. More »

Book Buzz: Presented by Booklist

Get the inside scoop on the best upcoming books from a panel of premier publisher representatives. More »

Imagine the Possibilities with Kari Chapin

Best-selling author, speaker, teacher, and professional pep talk administrator Kari Chapin returns to help us imagine the possibilities! Learn how to make the most of your time at conference, adapt the ideas you learn, and unleash your creativity and imagination. More »

Opening Session with Sally Yates

PLA 2018 officially kicks off with Sally Yates—former U.S. Deputy Attorney General and Acting Attorney General—at the Opening Session. More »

Exhibits Opening Reception

Get a first look at the products and services offered by more than 300 exhibiting companies… and enjoy some food and drink while you’re at it. More »

7:00 AM–8:00 AM Association of American Publishers Children’s Author Breakfast

7:30 AM–5:30 PM Registration Open

8:15 AM–9:15 AM Big Ideas with Elizabeth Gilbert

9:30 AM–5:00 PM Exhibits & PLA Pavilion Open

9:30 AM–10:45 AM Exhibits Coffee Break

10:00 AM–11:30 AM AAP Children’s Publishers Book Buzz I

10:45 AM–11:45 AM Programs

12:00 PM–1:30 PM Author Lunch with Daniel H. Pink

1:00 PM–3:00 PM Career Fair & Crash Courses

2:00 PM–3:00 PM Programs

3:00 PM–4:30 PM AAP Adult Publishers Book Buzz I

3:00 PM–4:00 PM Exhibits Coffee Break

4:00 PM–5:00 PM Programs

5:15 PM–6:15 PM Spark Talks I

6:30 PM–8:30 PM Audio Publishers Association Dinner

Big Ideas with Elizabeth Gilbert

Kick off PLA’s Big Ideas Series with bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert, best known for her 2006 memoir Eat, Pray, Love. More »

Programs

The array of professional development programs are the highlight of PLA Conference. Over 100 programs will challenge attendees to imagine new possibilities in their libraries and communities. More »

Author Lunch with Daniel H. Pink

Join us for Thursday’s Author Lunch with Daniel H. Pink, author of six provocative books—including his newest, the instant bestseller When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing. More »

Audio Publishers Association Dinner

A PLA Conference favorite, be sure to register for this special evening of engaging authors, audio voices, and delicious food. More »

7:30 AM–4:00 PM Registration Open

8:15 AM–9:15 AM Big Ideas with Steve Pemberton

9:30 AM–2:00 PM Exhibits & PLA Pavilion Open

9:30 AM–10:45 AM Exhibits Coffee Break

10:00 AM–11:30 AM AAP Children’s Publishers Book Buzz II

10:45 AM–3:15 PM Resume Review & Interview Coaching

10:45 AM–11:45 AM Programs

12:00 PM–1:30 PM Author Lunch with Jacqueline Woodson

12:30 PM–2:00 PM AAP Adult Publishers Book Buzz II

1:30 PM–2:00 PM Exhibits Closing Reception

2:00 PM–3:00 PM Programs

4:00 PM–5:00 PM Speed Mentoring Event

4:00 PM–5:00 PM Programs

5:15 PM–6:15 PM Spark Talks II

5:30 PM–7:00 PM All Conference Reception

Big Ideas with Steve Pemberton

Big Ideas continues with Steve Pemberton and his highly motivational messages: Believe in your dreams, rise above obstacles, create opportunities for others, and most of all, persevere. More »

Author Lunch with Jacqueline Woodson

PLA is pleased to welcome award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson as Friday’s Author Lunch speaker. More »

Programs

The array of professional development programs are the highlight of PLA Conference. Over 100 programs will challenge attendees to imagine new possibilities in their libraries and communities. More »

Exhibits Closing Reception

Take one last look around the exhibits and network with vendors and colleagues during this social reception. More »

All Conference Reception

Meet, mingle, and dance with your fellow attendees at this fun conference celebration.

8:00 AM–10:00 AM Registration Open

8:15 AM–9:15 AM Big Ideas with Tim Wu

9:30 AM–10:30 AM Programs

10:45 AM–11:45 AM Programs

12:00 PM–1:00 PM Closing Session with Hasan Minhaj*

Big Ideas with Tim Wu

Tim Wu—best known for the development of Net Neutrality theory—joins us for one last big idea to send you home from conference bursting with new knowledge! More »

Programs

The array of professional development programs are the highlight of PLA Conference. Over 100 programs will challenge attendees to imagine new possibilities in their libraries and communities. More »

Closing Session with Hasan Minhaj*

What a way to wrap up the PLA 2018 Conference! More »

* Many factors can cause an event to be delayed or run longer than expected, so you should plan accordingly and allow additional travel time if you’re booking flights immediately following the Closing Session. We appreciate your patience and understanding and will work hard to ensure the Closing Session runs as closely to the schedule as possible.

Special Events

General Sessions

Admission to all general sessions is included with Full Conference registrations and Exhibits-Plus badges.
Single-Day registrants can attend all general sessions on the day for which they’ve registered.

Variety of books

BOOK BUZZ: PRESENTED BY BOOKLIST

Wednesday, March 21, 9:30 AM–10:30 AM

Get the inside scoop on the best upcoming books from a panel of premier publisher representatives. More »

Imagine the Possibilities with Kari Chapin

IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES WITH KARI CHAPIN

Wednesday, March 21, 10:45 AM–11:45 AM

Best-selling author, speaker, teacher, and professional pep talk administrator Kari Chapin returns to PLA 2018 to help us imagine the possibilities! Join us Wednesday morning to learn how to make the most of your time at conference, adapt the ideas you learn, and unleash your creativity and imagination. More »

Sally Q. Yates

OPENING SESSION WITH SALLY YATES

Wednesday, March 21, 2:00 PM–3:30 PM

PLA 2018 officially kicks off with Sally Yates—former U.S. Deputy Attorney General and Acting Attorney General—at the Opening Session. More »

Exhibits Opening Reception

EXHIBITS OPENING RECEPTION

Wednesday, March 21, 3:30 PM–6:30 PM

Get a first look at the products and services offered by our exhibiting companies… and enjoy some food and drink while you’re at it. More »

Big Ideas with Elizabeth Gilbert

BIG IDEAS WITH ELIZABETH GILBERT

Thursday, March 22, 8:15 AM–9:15 AM

Kick off PLA’s Big Ideas Series with bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert, best known for her 2006 memoir Eat, Pray, Love. More »

PLA 2018 Skyline

SPARK TALKS I

Thursday, March 22, 5:15 PM–6:15 PM

Join us for our first evening of up-to-the minute, fast moving talks on the latest and greatest ideas from your public library colleagues. More  »

Big Ideas with Steve Pemberton

BIG IDEAS WITH STEVE PEMBERTON

Friday, March 23, 8:15 AM–9:15 AM

On Friday morning, our Big Ideas Series continues with Steve Pemberton and his highly motivational messages: Believe in your dreams, rise above obstacles, create opportunities for others, and most of all, persevere. More »

Exhibits Closing Reception

EXHIBITS CLOSING RECEPTION

Friday, March 23, 1:30 PM–2:00 PM

Take one last look around the exhibits and network with vendors and colleagues during this social reception. More »

PLA 2018 Skyline

SPARK TALKS

Friday, March 23, 5:15 PM–6:15 PM

Join us for a second evening of up-to-the minute, fast moving talks on the latest and greatest ideas from your public library colleagues. More »

All Conference Reception

ALL CONFERENCE RECEPTION

Friday, March 23, 5:30 PM–7:00 PM

Meet and mingle (and dance!) with your fellow attendees at this fun conference celebration. More »

Big Ideas with Tim Wu

BIG IDEAS WITH TIM WU

Saturday, March 24, 8:15 AM–9:15 AM

Tim Wu—best known for the development of Net Neutrality theory—joins us for one last big idea to send you home from conference bursting with new knowledge! More »

Closing Session with Hasan Minhaj

CLOSING SESSION WITH HASAN MINHAJ

Saturday, March 24, 12:00 PM–1:00 PM

Wrap up the PLA 2018 Conference in a big way with Hasan Minhaj! More »

Author Events

Author Events

Take a break and enjoy a literary meal with renowned and award-winning authors.
Each author event requires a separately priced admission.

PLA 2018 Skyline

ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN PUBLISHERS CHILDREN’S AUTHOR BREAKFAST
— SOLD OUT

Thursday, March 22, 7:00 AM–8:00 AM

New at PLA 2018… a free Children’s Author breakfast! This event requires a separate registration but is sold out.

Author Lunch with Daniel H. Pink

AUTHOR LUNCH WITH DANIEL H. PINK

Thursday, March 22, 12:00 PM–1:30 PM

Join us for Thursday’s Author Lunch with Daniel H. Pink, author of six provocative books—including his newest, the instant bestseller When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing. More »

Audio Publishers Association Dinner with Marley Dias, Kate DiCamillo, Joshilyn Jackson & Atz Kilcher

AUDIO PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION DINNER

Thursday, March 22, 6:30 PM–8:30 PM

A PLA Conference favorite, be sure to register for this special evening of engaging authors, audio voices, and delicious food. More »

Author Lunch with Jacqueline Woodson

AUTHOR LUNCH WITH JACQUELINE WOODSON

Friday, March 23, 12:00 PM–1:30 PM

PLA is pleased to welcome award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson as Friday’s Author Lunch speaker. More »

Conference Exhibits

Find products, ideas, and solutions for your library in the PLA Exhibits Hall, located in Exhibit Hall AB of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
Browse hundreds of booths and see the latest in publications, media, technology, equipment, services, and supplies.
See a list of who’s coming so far.

Wednesday 21 Thursday 22 Friday 23

3:30–6:30 PM Exhibits Opening Reception

9:30 AM Exhibits Open

9:30 AM–10:45 AM Exhibits Hall Coffee Break

3:00 PM–4:00 PM Exhibits Hall Coffee Break

5:00 PM Exhibits Close for the Day

9:30 AM Exhibits Open

9:30 AM–10:45 AM Exhibits Hall Coffee Break

1:30 PM–2:00 PM Exhibits Closing Reception

2:00 PM Exhibits Close

Exhibits-Plus and Exhibits-Only Badges

If you just want a taste of PLA 2018, purchase a special exhibits badge onsite.

Exhibits-Only Badge ($50): Entitles you to visit the exhibits any time they are open.

Exhibits-Plus Badge ($95): Entitles you to visit the exhibits any time they are open as well as to attend the Opening Session, the Big Idea Series, the All Conference Reception, and the Closing Session.

Interested in Exhibiting or Sponsoring?

PLA 2018 is a targeted opportunity to connect with decision makers throughout the public library world. Learn more about exhibiting! To become a conference sponsor contact Corcoran Expositions, Matt McLaughlin at 312-265-9655, matt@corcexpo.com.

Conference Sponsors

Please join PLA in thanking our PLA 2018 Conference Sponsors!

For questions about…

Cancellation Policy

The PLA 2018 Conference is offered on a cost-recovery basis. PLA reserves the right to cancel all or any part of this event if there is insufficient registration or for other reasons. Neither ALA nor PLA is responsible for cancellation charges assessed by the airlines or travel agencies, or other losses incurred due to the cancellation of the workshops. All information listed on this website is subject to change.

Attendee Cancellation Policy

Written cancellations, requests for refunds, and/or changes will be accepted until February 23, 2018, and are subject to a $30 handling fee. Refunds will be processed after April 23, 2018. According to PLA policy, all meal events require preregistration. The above cancellation/change information also applies to all preconferences, meal events, and tours. No meal tickets will be sold onsite.

Exhibitor Cancellation Policy

All booth space cancellation requests must be received in writing by Show Management (Corcoran Expositions). If space is reduced, the net reduction of space will be treated as a cancellation of that space. If Show Management receives a written request for cancellation of space on or before October 31, 2017, the exhibitor will be eligible for a refund less the nonrefundable deposit of $950 per 100 square feet of exhibit space. For cancellations received after October 31, 2017, exhibitors are liable for 100% of the cost of space.

Advertising

Print and electronic advertising opportunities are available to reach PLA members and attendees both before and during the conference.

Exhibits

Interested in exhibiting at PLA 2018? Contact Carly DiVito, Corcoran Expositions, at 312-541-0567 or carly@corcexpo.com.

Media

Contact Macey Morales, Deputy Director, ALA Public Awareness Office, 312-280-4393 or mmorales@ala.org. Please review our conference media policy.

Membership

ALA and PLA membership is managed by the ALA Membership & Customer Service (MACS) unit. You can join or renew/rejoin/add to your membership using ALA’s secure online form; or you can print and fill out a membership form and fax or mail it in; or call 800-545-2433 and press 5. Direct your membership questions to MACS at customerservice@ala.org or 800-545-2433 and press 5. MACS representatives are available Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM Central.

Registration & Housing

Problems or questions regarding registration or housing? Contact Experient at pla@experient-inc.com or 800-424-5249 (U.S. and Canada)/847-996-5829 (all other countries). Experient representatives are available Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM Eastern.

Sponsorships

To discuss PLA 2018 sponsorship opportunities, contact Corcoran Expositions, Mary Michalik at 312-265-9650, mary@corcexpo.com; or Matt McLaughlin at 312-265-9655, matt@corcexpo.com.

Thank You PLA 2018 Conference Sponsors!

Other Questions

Many commonly asked questions are answered in our FAQ. If you don’t find the information you’re looking for, please contact PLA at 800-545-2433 x5PLA (x5752) or pla@ala.org. Or the PLA Staff directory may help you find just the right person to ask.

PLA 2016 Archive

Looking for handouts and other information from the PLA 2016 Conference, which took place April 5–9, 2016 in Denver, CO? The PLA 2016 Conference website has been archived at http://2016.placonference.org.

View the list of past PLA Conferences from 1983 to present.