Also, please connect with us on Twitter and share with us on our Flickr group, YouTube channel, and Facebook page.

Links to Blog Posts

Please include your name and a link to blog posts about evo’11 so we can see your fun pics, read about your takeaways, and see any videos you captured.

Sessions

Workshops

Thanks to Jenny Eckton, Amy Harmon, Camille Langston, Kelly Loubet, Jamie Moesser, Jen Price, and Jen Tilley and Microsoft for making evo’11 live blogging possible.

1. The big question, of course, is cost, so it helps to remember: “Good work ain’t cheap, and cheap work ain’t good.”
2. Find the right person for the right job (what are you looking for? Production work? Graphic design? Database development? Programming?).
3. Questions they should ask (Goals of your project, timeline, parameters & delivery methods, similar projects that you admire).
4. Questions you should ask (Project management, proofing mechanisms, delivery methods, copyright, payment terms)
5. Take ownership of your ideas: create a mockup, show it to people, find a visual designer.
6. Always be recruiting designers and programmers.
7. Developers program, designers design, and copywriters write. Hire an agency that does it all. Bringing the project manager and the designer into the same room with the client helps.
8. Finalize your design and copy before programming begins.
9. Designers & programmers speak a different language; we really should learn some of this lingo (take a basic html class to see how it’s written).
10. It’s okay to say, “I might have to leave you if you can’t deliver.”

Remember: it’s your project. Don’t let anyone else make your decisions, and don’t leave any gaps in decisions to be made. One way to reduce risk in working with programmers is to start with a very small aspect of the project and see how it goes. The right designers and programmers help bring your ideas to life, so work with them to make that happen!
Thanks to Microsoft for providing computers for the evo’11 Blogging team.

Here’s a snapshot of the National Weather Service’s outlook for this week (click to enlarge).  The current temperature shown on this snapshot is 59 degrees, at 5:30am.

So what does this mean for your packing?  Maintain your summer wardrobe for the daytime, with a light sweatshirt or cardigan thrown in for good measure.  For the Friday and Saturday parties, you’ll definitely want pants and a jacket or fleece.

The mountains are waiting for you.  See you soon!

Agenda
Grab the mobile link for the evo’11 agenda. You can see who is planning on attending the same sessions as you and avoid the dreaded can’t-find-my-conference-program dig through your bag.

Transportation
Take advantage of the “evo Conference group rate” ($34 one way) and grab a shuttle to the Canyons. Call (800) 457-9457, dial extension 1, and reference group code 7679. Full details here .

Wireless
The Canyons has beefed up their wireless network. To get the best wireless performance during evo’11, use “Canyons Conference” while in the conference space and select “TheCanyons” throughout the rest of the Grand Summit Hotel.

Passport Suites
Don’t forget to pre-register for an Aveda immersion experience at evo. You’ll enjoy a hair consultation, neck/shoulder massage and peace of the mind.

If you’ve got the gaming bug, plan to visit the Kinect for Xbox 360 suite for a little entertainment and a lot of fun. See our Passport Suite Guide for updates and activities.

Y’all, evo’10 was 368 days ago, and I STILL think about the hot stone massage at The Golden Door Spa on a weekly basis.  At least.

Luckily for you, The Golden Door Spa at the Waldorf Astoria is offering evo’11 attendees a discount that’s as wondrous as their gleaming white below-ground spa.  Make an appointment before the conference to slough off stress and begin your experience with a relaxed glow, or end the conference with a treatment so you can go home with a head full of evo energy and a body full of relaxation.

For $30, guests will receive access to all fitness classes, fitness center, and the Ladies onsen with steam room and repose room.  Or you can book a specific service at a special rate, and will receive access to the same features but without the day rate fee.  See below for details and be sure to book early.  This is an experience you won’t want to miss.

Golden Door Prices – Part 1

Golden Door Prices 2

Our friends at New Balance have put together two great fitness events and….wait for it…they’ll hook you up with a FREE pair of New Balance shoes for attending. Plus, celebrity fitness trainer and New Balance Fitness Ambassador, Holly Perkins will be leading both events.

New Balance Walk – Thursday Morning Walk on the “Farm Trail” alongside the McPolin Barn. Attendees will receive a pair of the New Balance truebalance toning shoes, featuring breakthrough balance board technology offering superior comfort, enhanced toning and calorie burn. Space is limited, register here.

New Balance Fitness Class – Friday Morning Experience one of 2011’s hottest workout trends—boot camp! You will be outfitted in a pair of New Balance’s new NB Minimus training shoes and Holly will take you through a fun and challenging workout that is guaranteed to start your day off right! *Space is limited, register here.

Saturday Morning Yoga Sponsored by Apartment Guide Joining us for yoga with instructor Kia Ruiz from @bodhi_bear. All attendees will be entered to win one of two fabulous giveaways: six 2-day passes to Universal Orlando Resort or a spa giveaway at the Canyons Resort. *Space is limited, register here.

Suites: Many of our sponsored suites will feature activities that the whole family will enjoy. See our full list of Suites and plan on bringing your family to any of the suites marked “Family Friendly.” You can even send your spouse and the kiddos to enjoy the suite perks while you’re attending evo’11.

Camp & Child Care: Enjoy evo’11 while your kids have the time of their lives at the Canyons Resort’s state licensed day care or day camp. Hurry, space is limited. Call Canyons Resort directly to book your spot at (435) 615-8036.

Friday Party: Join us Friday, July 8 for the Bush’s Beans Family Dinner. This internationally inspired party will include dinner, dancing, photo booth fun along with the outdoor attractions like the Alpine Slide, Zip Rider and Alpine Coaster at Park City Mountain Resort. Bush’s Beans is making it possible for all attendees and their immediate families to attend at no charge. Tickets are limited and are available on a first come, first serve basis. Please visit evo11.eventbrite.com to register.

Saturday Party: Wrap up evo’11 on Saturday, July 9 with a BBQ where you will enjoy a buffet dinner, delicious dessert, and fun outdoor games for the whole family sponsored by Together Counts. You’ll even get to hitch a ride on the Canyons Resort’s gondola to reach the party at Red Pine Lodge. This party is free to conference attendees and their immediate family members, but do us a favor and let us know how many to plan for by RSVPing. Click here to RSVP.

Entry Requirements

Beginning on June 24 @12:01 a.m., let us know which of our products you crave and why you need them by Tweeting @PepperidgeFarm (using the hashtag #evoconf) for a chance to win a case of the Pepperidge Farm product of your choice AND a Canyons Custom Massage at the Grand Summit Spa & Health Club at the Canyons Resort in Park City!

Terms and Conditions

The winner will be randomly selected from all tweets received by noon on July 4, and announced at the Opening Night Ignite & Dinner on July 7. We’ll see you there!

No purchase necessary.  Message & data rates may apply. Limit of one tweet per day. Chances of winning depend on the number of tweets received.

Official Rules

PROMOTIONS OPEN TO REGISTERED ATTENDEES OF THE EV0’11 CONFERENCE.  U.S. LAWS GOVERN THIS PROMOTION.  VOID OUTSIDE OF U.S., PUERTO RICO, AND WHERE PROHIBITED.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  A purchase will not increase your chances of winning.

Promotion Timing:  The Pepperidge Farm Evo’11 Spa and Snacks Sweepstakes (the “Promotion”) begins on June 22, 2011, at 12:01 AM MDT and ends on July 4 at 12:00 PM MDT. Winner will be randomly selected from all the eligible entries on or about July 7, 2011 and announced at the Opening Night Ignite & Dinner held on the evening of July 7, 2011.

Eligibility:  Promotion is open only to registered Evo’11 Conference attendees. Winner must be present to win. Employees of the Sponsor, its parent and affiliated companies, its agencies, and any other company associated with this Promotion and are not eligible to enter or win.

Promotion Description:  Through Twitter, entrants will tell Pepperidge Farm (“Sponsor”) which Pepperidge Farm product is their favorite and why they need them by tweeting @Pepperidgefarm using hashtag #EVO11.  Limit one entry tweet per day.   All entries must be received by 12:00 PM (noon) MDT on July 4, 2011.

Prizes: A case of Pepperidge Farm products of the winner’s choice (approximate retail value – $40.00) and a gift certificate for a spa treatment at the Grand Summit Spa & Health Club at the Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah (approximate retail value – $145.00).  Total ARV $185.00. No prize substitution or cash equivalent permitted. Odds of winning are dependent upon the number of eligible entries received. Sponsor, in its sole discretion, may substitute a prize or prize component of equal or greater value due to unavailability of prize or prize component for any reason. Gift certificate for spa treatment will be awarded on July 7, 2011. Delivery of the case of Pepperidge Farm products prize requires a street address. Allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery.

General: By entering entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and by the decision of the Sponsor, which shall be final and binding. Entrants agree that if selected as winner, they grant Sponsor and its designees the right to use the Winner’s name and image, except where prohibited. By accepting prize, the winner grants to Sponsor the right to use his/her name, likeness, image, and biographical information in advertising, trade and promotion, including the Internet or via wireless application protocol, without further compensation or permission, except where prohibited by law.  Winner will be required to sign an affidavit of Eligibility and Liability Release after notification of winning or prize may be forfeited and awarded to alternate winner. By participating, entrants release and hold harmless Sponsor, its parent company, affiliates, agencies, and their employees, officers, directors and shareholders from any claims, actions, injury, loss or damage of any kind, including but not limited to, personal injury or death, resulting from participating in this Promotion or from the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of any prize awarded or participation in any prize-related activity.  Any personal information supplied by any entrants will be subject to Sponsor’s privacy policy and terms of service posted at www.pepperidgefarm.com.

Additional Terms and Restrictions: Winner will be determined and Prize awarded provided there is sufficient number of eligible entries received.  Any attempt by an entrant or other individual to deliberately damage technological services or otherwise undermine the legitimate operation of the promotion is a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages and/or other remedies from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law.  Failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.  If for any reason the Promotion is not capable of being executed as planned, or infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, action of entrants, technical failures or any other causes beyond the control of Sponsor, corrupts or affects the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this promotion, Sponsor reserves the right at their sole discretion to disqualify any suspect entrants/entry and to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Promotion and/or award the prize from among all eligible non-suspect entries received as of the date of the termination, as Sponsor determines in its sole discretion.  Entries not complying with all rules are subject to disqualification.

Winners List: For the name of winner, available after 7/7/11, send a SASE to Evo’11 Spa and Snacks Sweepstakes, Public Relations Dept., Pepperidge Farm, Incorporated, 595 Westport Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851

Sponsor:  Pepperidge Farm, Incorporated, 595 Westport Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851

Many of our sponsored suites feature activities that the whole family will enjoy. Feel free to bring your family to any of the suites marked “Family Friendly” below. You can even send your spouse and the kiddos to enjoy the suite perks while you’re attending evo’11.

Aveda Spa Suite 528  

Step away from invigorating evo’11 sessions and immerse yourself in the art and science of pure plant & flower essences—Aveda™. The Aveda suite is a gift to yourself: to connect your inner and outer beauty, and realize a sense of well-being. During your 15-minute personalized experience you’ll benefit from a thorough hair consultation, neck and shoulder massage and peace of the mind. Namaste.

Huggies Suite 414  (Family Friendly)

Join Huggies® Every Little Bottom to learn about a critical issue in North America—diaper need—and learn how you can help and make a wish for a baby in need.

Johnson & Johnson Suite 704 (Family Friendly)

Swing by the Johnson & Johnson suite to learn about maternal health causes, record a video about social good and enter the text4baby design contest.

Kodak Suite 430  

Kotton Kandy martinis, KakePops and FREE prints from Kodak for you & your family! Connect and print your FACEBOOK photos right from the KODAK Picture Kiosk. FREE your FACEBOOK Photos with Kodak.

Kudos Suite 224 (Family Friendly)

Kudos® Granola Bars feature M&M’S®, DOVE® Chocolate and SNICKERS® Brand Peanuts. Stop by our sponsor suite all weekend for some free Kudos and to refresh your digital profile photo with a professional photographer.

McDonald’s Relaxation Suite 620 (Family Friendly)

Come spend quality time with McDonald’s®! Learn more about how we keep family at the heart of everything we do, while you enjoy a manicure, sample our new Mango Pineapple Real Fruit Smoothies, and have the chance to meet Ronald McDonald!

*Closed on Thursday

New Balance Suite 217  

Come by the New Balance suite to get a personalized fitness consultation from New Balance Fitness Ambassador Holly Perkins.

PBS Kids Suite 529 (Family Friendly)

Check out the mobile lab in the PBS Kids™ Digital Suite and discuss digital media and kids–how to use technology with kids when traveling and how to bridge the summer learning gap. Bring your mobile device or borrow one of theirs. Feel free to bring the kids for some digital educational fun!

Sesame Street Suite 700 (Family Friendly)

At Sesame Street’s Suite, you’ll meet our characters, learn about our Outreach initiatives, technology Apps, books and games, and how we use social media. “Sesame Street Gaming Hours” scheduled for each day for those not in workshops (and kids).   Great giveaway items for those at our presentations during the suite breaks!

Southwest Airlines Recharge Lounge  

Location: White Pine Parlor I

Be sure to visit the Southwest Lounge sponsored by Southwest Airlines, where you can relax and recharge. On this flight, you’ll have a chance to take off and enjoy freshly brewed coffee, friendly Employees, travel tips, and contests!

Xbox Suite 629 (Family Friendly)  

WordPress Happiness Bar  

*Suite Hours

Passport Suites will be open during the Progressive Dessert Party on Thursday night as well as during all of the “Suite Breaks” notes on the agenda. Additional hours may vary by suite.