19 July 2022

VALA2022 Wrap-Up

VALA2022 Bring IT On! has now concluded. Thanks to everyone who attended, presented and/or volunteered. You made VALA’s first Onsite and Online conference a tremendous success. We had almost 700 contributors, participants and attendees; we presented over 50 sessions including 6 keynotes, 42 concurrent sessions (of which 16 were online and 26 were onsite), 4 critical conversations, a panel discussion and we announced the recipient of the VALA2022 Williamson Award.

Thank you to the VALA2022 speakers who put their blood, sweat and tears into writing papers and preparing their presentations, and for your faith that despite the uncertainty of Covid-19, VALA2022 would attract an audience that made your efforts worthwhile and meaningful. We trust that you found it a thought provoking, challenging and rewarding experience.

VALA2022 was supported by a large number of sponsors and the exhibition hall was full to capacity with eager vendors ready to showcase their wares. An ongoing vote of thanks to our Sponsors and Exhibitors for their unwavering support, dedication and encouragement throughout these past months of Covid-19 instability.

Thank you also to:

• MCEC for the wonderful online platform and for hosting us onsite with the amazing venue
• the professionalism of GigTV for outstanding AV support onsite
• the very hard-working and dedicated team of WaldronSmith Management
• the creativeness and efficiency of designer, BCreative
• the VALA2022 Inclusivity Partner, SAGE Publishing for their ongoing support of VALA to provide equal access and inclusion to opportunities and resources.

Most of all, it was wonderful to welcome back so many of our friends and colleagues and to see their happy, excited and eager faces as they reunited after many months. VALA2022 was the first opportunity for the majority of attendees to reunite with their peers and engage in professional development activities of any type for the last 2 years. This was evidenced by the high level of enthusiasm and overwhelming sense of joy amongst attendees.

After 2 years of lockdowns and restrictions, border closures and stay at home orders, VALA2022 reminded us that it is humanity at the heart of technology. Humans are the true connectors and technology is a way of augmenting but not replacing the human qualities and connections that we all seek.

On behalf of the Organising Committee, thank you for coming and we look forward to welcoming you back to VALA2024.

Content:

If you attended VALA2022, we encourage you to continue the learning journey from VALA2022. Or if you weren’t able to attend, we invite you to see what you missed.

Onsite Program Content – free to access

Concurrent papers, webcast recordings and presentation slides from the Onsite Program can be accessed individually for each session from VALA2022 Proceedings.

Or access the papers via a single link to Google Drive.

All Session recordings from the Onsite Program are now available on the VALA Showcase channel.

Online Program Content – available to delegates only for 6 months

All VALA2022 delegates, both Onsite and Online, have exclusive access to the VALA2022 Online Platform for 6 months following the Conference. This includes all content from the live broadcast, plus the On Demand content including E-Posters, Lightning Talks and Vendor Presentations. Login details to the Online Platform have already been shared with delegates, however if you have trouble accessing the platform, please contact engagement@vala.org.au.

3 May 2022

VALA2022 Registrations ARE OPEN

We can’t wait to welcome you back to Melbourne in June!  With the easing of restrictions, VALA2022 Onsite is rearing to go and we’re excited to announce in person attendance by keynote and other international speakers – more details to follow as travel arrangements are confirmed.

If you haven’t booked your ticket yet, here’s everything you need to make your case to attend, in one neat Registration Brochure.  Delegates are reminded that Onsite Registration gives you 2 programs for the price of 1, with full access to the Online and On Demand content as part of your registration fee.

Our most exciting and innovative conference yet is also more affordable, with registration rates substantially reduced to encourage attendance and reduce barriers to participation.

We’ve also arranged generous Terms and Conditions to give you confidence to register.

Download the Registration Brochure and purchase your ticket today.

Can’t get to Melbourne?  The VALA2022 Online program is rich, affordable and accessible from wherever you are.

Bring IT On!

2 February 2022

VALA2022 Preview Events

We are disappointed that due to unavoidable circumstances, the VALA2022 Conference has been postponed until June 2022. However, we have been buoyed by the support and encouragement received, and we continue to be excited to deliver the VALA Conference to our loyal and dedicated community.

To help us start the journey towards our rescheduled 2022 VALA Conference, and to give you a taste of things to come, VALA will conduct a series of ‘Preview Events’ over the next few months, starting with a ‘Leaning In’ during what would have been conference week. These events will be free to both VALA members and non-members.

• February 9 2022 – Leaning In – VALA
• March 22 2022 – Critical Conversation – The death of cooperative cataloguing as we know it (Melissa Parent and Ebe Kartus)
• April 28 2022 – Implementation of Robotics and STEM Education within the Library sector

Stay tuned for further events leading up to VALA2022.

For information and to register for these events, click HERE.

12 January 2022

VALA2022 Postponement Announced

In an unprecedented decision, VALA2022 has been postponed.

The current and escalating public health situation across the country has significant implications for the VALA2022 Onsite Conference, and it is the view of the VALA leadership that it is not in the best interests of our community or our event to proceed in Melbourne next month.

As a result, VALA has taken the difficult decision to reschedule VALA2022 Onsite and Online Conference to June 14-16 2022. The key contributing factors behind this decision are:

• Public Health – the exponential increase in positive cases across Australia, particularly in Melbourne, raises questions about the appropriateness of calling a gathering of the VALA tribe at this time. The health and well being of our community is our first priority.
• Event Quality – it appears inevitable that participation will be impacted, and we expect withdrawal of presenters, delegates and exhibitors from the Onsite program. This will diminish the quality and diversity of the program. We also expect the Onsite experience will be hampered by changing restrictions, masks and social distancing, which are projected to remain in a state of flux throughout January and February.
• Financial Management – VALA has an obligation to its members to act in the best interests of the organisation and its long-term sustainability. The decision minimises the immediate financial cost and retains the capacity for the rescheduled event to operate more profitably under more favourable conditions.

The Organising Committee of VALA2022 thanks our Delegates, Speakers, Sponsors, Exhibitors, supporting Organizations and friends for the immense support for this conference so far. We apologise for the inconvenience caused under these unforeseen circumstances. Important details of new arrangements will be shared directly with all current participants.

Tickets to the Onsite and Online conference are still on sale, and will now remain on sale until 13 June 2022. To view registration types and secure your spot, click HERE.

Ebe Kartus, VALA2022 Co-Chair, adds, “We have delegates registered to attend from Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, South Australia and New Zealand, which is excellent to see, and I look forward to welcoming everyone to VALA2022 in June!”

We thank you for your understanding and support and we look forward to you joining us in June for a dynamic and vibrant conference experience.

Please contact the following with any questions:

VALA2022 Conference Office
119 Buckhurst Street
South Melbourne VIC 3205 Australia
Phone: +61 3 9645 6311
Email: vala@wsm.com.au
www.waldronsmith.com.au

VALA Secretariat
Phone: (03) 9844 2933
Email: vala@vala.org.au

1 October 2021

VALA2022 Registrations ARE OPEN

REGISTER TODAY for VALA2022 and join us in February either Onsite in Melbourne or Online from wherever you are.

The mashup of Onsite and Online programs offers more accessibility, more flexibility and more opportunities for delegates than ever before. Our most exciting and innovative conference yet is also more affordable, with registration rates substantially reduced to encourage attendance and reduce barriers to participation.

In further recognition of the challenges and uncertainties of the pandemic, VALA2022 has removed any financial impact of making your commitment early, in the event that either you or we are unable to proceed with conference as planned. Please read the Registration Terms and Conditions before registering.

Interim Programs for both the Onsite and Online formats are now available, and whilst subject to change and the inclusion of new content as it becomes available, much of the rich content is confirmed. Click to view the Onsite Conference Program or the Online Conference Program.

So whether you will be joining us in Melbourne, or from your home somewhere across the globe, secure your attendance – REGISTER NOW and Bring IT On!

24 August 2021

VALA2022 – Registration Fees Waived for Accepted Presenters

VALA2022 is pleased to announce that the requirement for presenters to pay to attend conference has been removed, and instead VALA will underwrite the costs of attendance of presenters who have their content accepted into either the Onsite or Online programs.

VALA recognises that complimentary registration will:

• Remove a significant barrier to participation
• Recognise the investment of time and effort in the development and delivery of a successful submission
• Enable quality, diverse content to be presented at VALA2022
• Offer much-needed support to the VALA community in a difficult time
• Represent a reinvestment in the professional development of the network and the sector

The introduction of the Online platform for VALA2022 provides increased opportunities for content and all presenters who are accepted on to the program will receive a complimentary registration to the relevant conference type – Onsite or Online.

The Call for Content submissions portal remains open, and VALA encourages both experienced and first time presenters to put forward their proposals for consideration.  First time presenters please note the offer of a VALA mentor to provide advice, support and guidance.

All information and links for preparation and lodgement of submissions are in the drop down menu to the right of the screen.

For the Key Dates for submissions in all formats, see below.

The VALA2022 Organising Committee recognises and thanks VALA Committees past and present for having the foresight to put funds aside for that proverbial “rainy day”, enabling us to support our industry and our members at this most challenging of times.

2 August 2021

VALA2022 – Bring IT On – Submission Portal Re-opened.

We had a very positive response to our first call for submissions with some outstanding and dynamic presentations accepted for both the Onsite and the Online programs and we will continue to build on this program curation over the coming months.

VALA recognises some of our community are experiencing challenging times and have not been in the position to consider making a submission for VALA2022. Acknowledging this and indeed, the changing world we are all in, VALA has extended the submission opportunity and has re-opened the portal for content.

Dates for New Submissions

Click HERE for more information or click the button below to lodge a submission.

19 May 2021

VALA2022 – Bring IT On – Call for Submissions is OPEN.

Submissions are invited for the Onsite Conference and the Online Channel at VALA2022, from now until 28 June 2021. VALA2022 offers opportunities for both traditional and innovative approaches to the development and delivery of conference content. Original research, case studies, emerging projects and “what went wrong” presentations are equally welcome.

VALA2022 – Bring IT On – Onsite and Online in February 2022

• Dates – 8-10 February 2022
• Onsite – The Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
• Online – VALA2022 OnAir

The 21st Biennial Conference VALA2022 – Bring IT On! will be delivered for the first time as a mashup event with Onsite and Online programs and opportunities in February 2022.

VALA2022 Bring IT On – Onsite! will welcome speakers, vendors and delegates back to a much-anticipated face to face Conference experience from 8 – 10 February 2022 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.

VALA2022 Bring IT On – Online! will offer speakers, vendors and delegates unable to travel an interactive platform to contribute to and participate in quality Conference content in real or pre-recorded timescapes.

Save these Dates.

• The Call for Submissions (for presentation Onsite or Online) OPENS 17 May
• The Exhibition Pre-Sale on LIMITED RELEASE from 17 May
• The Sponsorship and Exhibition Prospectus OPENS 7 June
• VALA2022 Bring IT On! live in Melbourne and online to the world 8-10 February 2022
  

Wherever you are, join us for a unique learning and sharing experience.

VALA2022 Bring IT On!  Imagined by humans, enabled by technology.

 Ebe Kartus and Sae Ra Germaine

Co-Chairs

VALA2022 Bring IT On!