2023 Conference

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[ Sponsorship Information | Sponsors and Exhibitors | Lodging Information | Program | Evening Events | FAQs | Photos ]

Helena, MT April 5-7, 2023
Northwest Managers of Educational Technology is eager to welcome you to Helena, MT for our annual conference. We  have put together 3 days of engaging sessions, social events, a large vendor floor and networking. The conference will be held at the Best Western Premier Helena Great Northern Hotel situated in the heart of downtown Helena and right across from the Carroll College campus.

Registration to the conference includes the opening event at a local taproom on Tuesday evening, April 4th, followed by lunch, and major evening events with food and drinks on Wednesday and Thursday, April 5th and 6th. It also includes free happy hours on Wednesday and Thursday, and lunch on Friday, and a few special events as well. On Friday all attendees and vendors are invited to walk over to the Carroll College campus and visit our active learning classrooms, Nursing Sim lab, Light-board Studio and innovative Library Spaces with questions and answers along the way. Lunch will then be free in the Dining Hall and then the afternoon events start with a local hike hosted by Wild Montana and (of course!) another stop at a brewery overlooking downtown Helena. Everything is covered under just one very reasonable registration cost. Plus we have some Amazing Swag that folks will get. This is NOT your ordinary conference. You will be engaged, filled with food and drinks, given fake money to buy real prizes and become part of a community. Join us!

Program Filled with Sessions, Events and Free Food and Drinks
This year, we are offering 30+ sessions which will be 15, or 45 minutes in duration. (We are in the final stages of getting everything set). In addition we have 4 evening events, 2 on floor happy hours, 34 vendors and even a Friday afternoon hike and brewery event. In case you were wondering, we cover almost all of your food and drinks at these events as well.

MET Money
Met Money returns again in 2023! MET Money is our fake, special money reserved only for the conference. You can get MET money in a number of ways. Ask a great question, help a fellow attendee, be a good person or win games. In addition, each sponsor gives out MET Money carrying their own logo throughout the conference. Then, you can use all of this fake money to buy real prizes (over 50 real prizes) that are worth thousands of dollars. Your chances of walking away with way more than you paid for registration is actually very good.

The Best Western Premier Helena Great Northern Hotel
The hosting site of the conference, the Best Western Premier Great Northern Hotel is inspired by the Great Northern Railroad era. The hotel offers amenities such as indoor pool, hot tub, and fitness room. Enjoy complementary breakfast and free wifi during your stay, and the convenience of being at the site of the conference. Additionally, there is a free shuttle service provided. NW/MET has secured a complementary discounted price for 80 rooms reserved up to one month prior to the event. Selections include one king bed for $180 per night, or two queen beds for $165 per night. Online group reservations have ended but you can still get a discounted rate by calling the hotel directly and asking to book with the “NWMET” group code block.  Phone is (406) 457-5500.

DoubleTree by Hilton, Downtown Helena
Located just down the way from the Great Northern Hotel, the DoubleTree offers a chance to have your own space away from the conference. Amenities include free parking, indoor pool, fitness center, and on-site restaurant. DoubleTree also offers shuttle services from the airport. Please note, guests at this hotel will be responsible for their own breakfast each day. NW/MET has also secured discount pricing at the DoubleTree Hotel. There is a block of 20 rooms available at $150 per night. The majority of rooms have two queens, and there will be a couple king bed options. Reserve your room with the group rate now.

Lamplighter Cabins & Suites, Helena’s Mansion District
For those who would like to make Helena feel more like home, we are recommending the Lamplighter Cabins & Suites a couple blocks away from the Great Northern. This is an Airbnb-type of stay, and if you are interested in coming early or staying after the conference, this would be a charming choice! There are 15 total spaces made up of themed cabins, renovated suites, and even a portions of a Victorian house. Whether you’re looking to experience Helena culture or keep it modern, we think it would be a great option. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer a discounted price, but currently the prices range from $100-170 depending on what you prefer. You can check out the Lamplighter Cabins & Suites.

Registration (Filling up fast)
Attendees of the 2023 conference can register for the conference and get all of the sessions, evening events, happy hours and some really great swag for the low price of only $160. Note that this price includes almost all of your food and drinks.

Proposals
Please fill out the proposal form. Proposals are due Tuesday, January 31st at 5pm MST. You will be contacted by February 10th with a notification of the approval status for your proposal.

BNC Award Opportunity-New this Year!
We are thrilled to announce that 3 BNC Awards will be offered to those who may not have the resources to attend the 2023 NWMET Conference. The awards for this year have already been allocated. However, if you really want to attend this conference and the registration fee becomes an issue, please reach out to Kylie and we can see what we can do. We really want everyone to have an opportunity to engage with the community and learn.

Vendors – SOLD OUT!
The Vendor response for this year was amazing! We have 34 vendors coming to showcase at the conference! We are now all SOLD OUT for sponsorships and vendor spots. However, please make sure you contact us early next year if you want a spot.  Check out the vendor packet for more information.

Added Perks This Year…

  • You asked, we listened! We have scheduled more time for vendors to network with attendees. Additionally, all attendees will have QR vCard information on badges at this next conference.
  • Grueling conference days no more- we have implemented a number of breaks and transition times between sessions.
  • You know those pesky processing fees? Yeah, they’re going to a great cause. We have transitioned to a new ticketing platform which donates ALL fees to charity, specifically helping disadvantaged children gain the resources they need.
  • Thinking you might like Helena? We sure do! One of our goals is for you to be able to get the most out of visiting our stunning city. We will be offering a memory-creating scavenger hunt and local activity option on Friday after lunch.
  • Have a free spirit? Welcome to the wild west. There will be no plated dinners and we will be out on the town enjoying local food and drinks.
  • You’ll really want to clear your schedule for this- Free Happy Hour on Wednesday and Thursday from 4:00-5:30pm. We thought you might want to know!
  • Huge vendor floor – We have 34 vendors all showing off the latest Tech and Furniture options to help you make those decisions in the coming weeks. You actually get to talk with the vendors and create relationships that will help you in the future.