APEC 2020 First Time Attendee Guide

As a first time attendee to APEC, below is a helpful guide to assist in preparing you prior to the

conference March 15-19, 2020 in New Orleans, LA. Please carefully review all information provided

below. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out at apec@apec-conf.org.

What is APEC?

The Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC) focuses on the practical and applied aspects of the power electronics business. This is not just a designer’s conference; APEC has something of interest for anyone involved in power electronics:

Equipment OEMs that use power supplies and dc-dc converters in their equipment Designers of power supplies, dc-dc converters, motor drives, uninterruptable power supplies, inverters

and any other power electronic circuits, equipment and systems Manufacturers and suppliers of components and assemblies used in power electronics Manufacturing, quality and test engineers involved with power electronics equipment Marketing, sales and anyone involved in the business of power electronics Compliance engineers testing and qualifying power electronics equipment or equipment that uses

power electronics

Learn more about the types of education APEC has to offer?

Traveling to New Orleans, LA /Housing & Travel Information

If you have already finalized your APEC Registration, please note that you should have received an email with the reservation links to book your housing at one of the eight hotels APEC has negotiated rates at. If you have not received your confirmation, please email registration@apec-conf.org.

You can also find a list of hotels where APEC has room blocks. Please note that the housing cut-off deadline has now passed. However, reservations can still be made at all properties based on availability.

International Attendees If you have registered and live outside of the United States, you may need additional documentation to attend APEC. Please note that when you register for APEC, if you have entered a non-U.S. address, you will automatically receive an email confirmation which will include a visa invitation letter, which may be required in order for you to confirm your travel visa. More information for international attendees can be found on the APEC website . Otherwise if you have a specific request, please reach out registration@apec-conf.org.

Airport Information

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

1 Terminal Drive, Kenner, LA 70062

Transportation costs vary depending on your hotel’s proximity to the airport. APEC Staff recommends

using Lyft/Uber Mobile App Services to easily and cost-effectively manage your transportation to your

hotel or the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

Ground Transportation to Ernest N. Morial Convention Center from Airport

o Lyft (4 people) - $25

o UberX (4 people) - $35

o Taxi - $36

o Super Shuttle (Shared Ride) - $24 per person

What to Pack for APEC

o Business Cards (for networking of course!) o Credit Cards or U.S. Cash (Visa or Mastercard are the two most widely used credit cards o Comfortable Shoes-APEC has A LOT to offer! We recommend wearing comfortable shoes every

day! o Dress Code: Don’t forget to wear your badge onsite! Otherwise, some attendees dress casually

in jeans, others are in suits. The best recommendation is to dress according to your conference goals. If you plan business meetings, you'll need business attire. Please note the rooms in the convention center tend to be air conditioned. It's a good idea to bring a sweater or something similar you can throw on if you get cold.

Where do I go if I have questions at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA?

During APEC, if you have any questions, please feel free to stop by the registration desk (outside Hall B).

ADA Accessibility

ADA Accessible entrances can be accessed via the following locations at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center:

• Julia Street Entrance

• Lobby C in the Atrium

• Lobby G

• Lobby H/I

Please note: all crosswalks and entrances are wheelchair accessible and all elevators are marked onsite. The convention center also has mobility scooters available for rental in the UPS Store in Lobby F.

Onsite WiFi Information

Network Name: APEC2020

Password: 35yearsAPEC (case sensitive)

Arrive & Thrive: How to Make the Most Out of Your Time at APEC

Networking is one of the most important parts of APEC. Whether walking between hotels, waiting in between sessions, sharing a table for coffee, sitting before a presentation startsalways be willing to meet new people. If you see someone who was at the same session as you during the week, you have an easy lead-in to conversation when you find yourself in the same session again with “What , did you think about….?” or “Do you also do research related to…?” You might find it helpful to read through the program ahead of time, find speakers whose interests overlap with yours, and email them in advance to see if they can meet for a coffee. This can help you to form valuable contacts and give you some time to prepare to make the most out of your meeting. Practice an “elevator speech” of your interests (among your friends is fine!), whether a synopsis of your dissertation argument if you’re close to finishing, or an overview of the questions and sources that interest you if you’re not. This should ideally be thirty seconds or less.

A great place for networking onsite will be the Welcome Reception in the Expo Hall on Monday, March 16, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. Celebrating the opening of APEC 2020’s Expo Hall, attendees and exhibitors alike will be able to enjoy hors d'oeuvres and drinks while offering a more relaxed setting to mingle with newcomers.

There are so many sessions at APEC 2020! What should I attend?

As you probably already know, the power electronics business is vast and there’s so much to cover! We know it can be tough deciding which sessions to attend each day, so we recommend first taking the time to review the current program to give yourself an idea of anything you’re immediately interested in.

Please keep in mind we have different types of sessions/seminars onsite:

Professional Education Seminars In-depth discussion of important and complex power electronics topics are perfect for working professional in power electronics or related fields. Seminars are 3.5-hours in length (including breaks), range in the scope of topic, and can vary from introductory to advanced in technical level.

Plenary Sessions APEC Plenary Sessions are a long-standing tradition of addressing issues of immediate and long-term interest to the practicing power electronic engineer. Presentations typically feature invited distinguished professionals.

Technical Sessions The technical program includes peer-reviewed papers that cover all areas of technical interest for the practicing power electronics professional. The rigorous review process highlights the most innovative technical solutions, and provides the highest quality possible.

Industry Sessions

Industry Sessions present information on current topics in power electronics from industry sources. In

addition to the practicing power electronics professional, these sessions are of interest to system

engineers/architects and business-oriented people such as purchasing agents, regulatory agencies,

along with other people who support the power electronics industry.

Exhibitor Seminars

Exhibitor Seminars highlight new products or initiatives that companies in the power electronics

industry are developing, along with opportunities for attendees to interact with other companies in the

industry.

RAP Sessions

RAP Sessions allow for exciting dialogue amongst attendees and presenters. Admission to all Rap

Sessions is free with an Exhibits Only Registration.

What’s there to eat at APEC 2020?

Please Note: Coffee/Tea will be provided in between all sessions/seminars starting Sunday through Thursday of the conference.

Monday, March 16: Snack provided during Plenary (1:00pm-5:00pm), appetizers/beverages provided at Monday Welcome Reception in Expo Hall (5:00pm-8:00pm)

Tuesday, March 17: Lunch for all attendees in the Expo Hall (12:00pm-1:00pm), Snack Provided in Expo Hall

Wednesday, March 18: Lunch for all attendees in the Expo Hall (11:45am-1:00pm), Snack Provided in Expo Hall, Wednesday Social Event at Mardi Gras World (heavy appetizers/beverages provided from 6:00pm-9:00pm)

Thursday, March 19: Lunch during Poster Session (11:15am-1:45pm)

There will also be concessions in the convention center open each day to purchase any meals/snacks during your time onsite. See full schedule below:

Saturday, March 14th

Starbucks (Lobby C) 8:00am-7:00pm

Sunday, March 15th

Starbucks (Lobby C) 8:00am-5:00pm

Twain’s Deli (Lobby C) 8:00am-3:00pm

Atrium (Lobby C) 11:00am-3:00pm

Grab n Go (Lobby B) 8:00am-3:00pm

Monday, March 16th

Starbucks (Lobby C) 7:00am-5:00pm

Twain’s Deli (Lobby C) 7:00am-3:00pm

Atrium (Lobby C) 11:00am-3:00pm

Grab n Go (Lobby B) 7:00am-3:00pm

Tuesday, March 17th

Starbucks (Lobby C) 7:00am-5:00pm

Twain’s Deli (Lobby C) 7:00am-3:00pm

Atrium (Lobby C) 11:00am-3:00pm

Grab n Go (Lobby B) 7:00am-3:00pm

Wednesday, March 18th

Starbucks (Lobby C) 7:00am-6:00pm

Twain’s Deli (Lobby C) 7:00am-3:00pm

Atrium (Lobby C) 11:00am-3:00pm

Grab n Go (Lobby B) 7:00am-3:00pm

Thursday, March 19th

Starbucks (Lobby C) 7:00am-6:00pm

Twain’s Deli (Lobby C) 7:00am-3:00pm

Atrium (Lobby C) 11:00am-3:00pm

Grab n Go (Lobby B) 7:00am-3:00pm

Done at the convention center for the day? Check out these great New Orleans restaurants .

What’s Included as a First Time Attendee

First Time Attendee Seating at Plenary on Monday, March 16 (1:15pm-5:00pm on Monday, March 16th in Great Hall A)

o Meet outside Great Hall A with your fellow First Time Attendee’s and sit together for the 2020 Plenary!

o Please meet outside Great Hall A no later than 1:00PM on Monday, March 16th to ensure you can sit near all of your fellow first time attendee colleagues!

Recognition: Receive a “First Time Attendee” ribbon to stick on your badge when you check in at registration.

APEC First Time Attendee Tour: Experience APEC 2020 with our brand new tour around the show floor!

First Time Attendee Webinar: Wednesday, March 4th from 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Central Standard Time.

o Keep an eye out for a meeting invite via email to add to your calendar to listen in to all the ways to get involved as a first time APEC attendee!

First time attendees that purchase a full conference pass are provided the same privileges as all regular full conference attendees.

APEC Mobile App and Schedule-Builder

Use the APEC Mobile app to connect with attendees and exhibitors; view exhibitor, speaker and event information; download session handouts and presentations; locate sessions and exhibitors on maps; rate sessions you attended; and more!

When it becomes available, you can find the conference mobile app in the App Store or Google Play, and we will also make a QR code available that you can scan.

Besides Education, What Else is there going on at APEC?

Micromouse: Monday, March 16 from 8:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m. in Expo Hall

The goal of the Micromouse contest is to design and build a robot that can navigate from the corner of a 10-foot square maze to the center in the shortest time. For most entrants the contest is divided into two phases, the search phase and the run phas e. During the search phase the mouse determines at least one path from the start to the center and may seek additional paths in hopes of finding a faster one.

During the run phase the mouse goes as quickly as possible from the start square in the corner of the maze to the center of the maze along the previously determined optimal path. Scoring is based on 1/30th of the time used to search the maze prior to the start of each run (maze time), and the time of that run (run time). If the mouse has crashed or been manually restarted (touched) prior to the start of a run, a penalty of 2 seconds is added to the score.

Wednesday Night Social: Wednesday, March 18 from 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.

Mardi Gras World allows you to see firsthand what it takes to bring Mardi Gras to life year after year. Walk through the hard work and extensive planning that goes into this grand event when you tour Blaine Kern Studios, an operating workshop that has created breathtaking floats for Mardi Gras and other parades around the world since 1947. There will be tour guides available to lead you through the massive studio, where artists and architects build Mardi Gras floats from the ground up. The event will also feature Mardi Gras themed entertainment, a jazz band, a Mini Mardi Gras Parade, and more!

Please Note: Transportation will be provided from the convention center to Mardi Gras World.

APEC 2020 Expo Hall

The APEC Conference hosts a three-day exposition featuring hundreds of companies serving the power electronics industry in a variety of capacities. Top manufacturers and service providers are on hand to help you explore the latest in technology and solutions. View the current floorplan here.

The Expo Hall will be open during the following dates/times:

Monday, March 16: 5:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. (Welcome Reception)

Tuesday, March 17: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 18: 10:00 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.

We know a tradeshow floor as big as APEC’s can be daunting to some, but don’t worry! Just remember this is a great opportunity to meet with people in the power electronics industry from all over the world!

Nowhere else can you:

See products & technology from more than 300 exhibitors

Connect with industry experts from major manufacturers

Learn from experts by attending the variety of technical and industry sessions onsite

APEC First Time Attendee Expo Tour

New this year! Take our exclusive First-Time Attendee Expo Tour (Designed for first-time attendees)!

Sign up here.

APEC 2020 is proud to mark our 35th anniversary and our position as the leading conference for power

electronic professionals with our First-Time Attendee Expo Tour which includes:

A 30-minute show floor tour and briefing curated and led by industry professionals.

An opportunity to meet APEC Sponsors (IAS and PSMA) connect with other important

companies on the show floor, and make the most of every moment of your APEC experience.

After APEC: What’s Next?

After APEC concludes, don’t forget to do the following:

Take the Post-Show Attendee Survey sent out via email after the show

Follow up with any new contacts you made onsite via email or over the phone!

Questions?

If you have any questions about APEC 2020 at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via email apec@apec-conf.org. We look forward to seeing you in New Orleans!