All attendees are welcome to volunteer to assist SYTA staff and leadership at the 2024 SYTA Annual Conference.

Volunteering at the conference is a great way to get involved and meet new people while we are all together onsite! You don’t need to be a seasoned attendee; in fact volunteering as a first-timer will help you meet people faster! Please read below for the various volunteer opportunities and their descriptions then sign up below.

Sign Up for a Volunteer slot HERE
Review the Volunteer Orientation webinar (August 5, 12 pm ET) HERE

2024 SYTA ANNUAL CONFERNCE VOLUNTEER JOB DESCRIPTIONS 

CONFERENCE SET UP
Wednesday, August 7, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm (badge stuffing)
Friday, August 9, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm (appointment floor set up)

  • Duties: assist staff with conference setup which may include assisting with materials preparation, appointment floor/tour operator booth set up, etc.
  • Requirements: Ability to follow instructions and work with others. Lifting, standing and unpacking materials and placement of materials.
  • Be prepared to: Work in assembly line style with others, work with individuals outside of the SYTA conference, lift boxes or materials, work while standing, unpack materials, walk the conference space, pay attention to detail, note any missing materials and report to staff.
  • Attire: Casual and appropriate for working with boxes, standing and lifting. Comfortable, closed-toed shoes are recommended as you will be on your feet.
  • Considerations: Volunteer will likely be on their feet for the duration of the shift and may be executing repetitive motions for the duration of the assignment. Lifting of boxes and unpacking materials may be required.

 

REGISTRATION
Thursday, August 8, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday, August 9, 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Saturday, August 10, 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM

  • Duty: Greet all SYTA attendees welcome them to the conference; provide their welcome/registration materials, train incoming shift of volunteers.
  • Requirements: Registers attendees & distributes registration packets and materials based on registration category.
  • Be prepared to: Answer general and conference-specific questions. Provide general instructions. Direct attendees to the conference floor and other key locations. Know and understand all of the materials in the registration packets. Be friendly, engaging and courteous. Maintain the registration area neat and restock registration materials periodically. Periodic counts of outstanding badges may be requested. Maintain a professional attitude.
  • Attire: Business casual and comfortable shoes recommended as you will be on your feet.
  • Considerations: Volunteer will likely be on their feet for the duration of the shift and engage in a lot of talking. Volunteer should work well under pressure and not be easily flustered.  Friendly and professional customer service skills required.

 

CONNECTION CORNER ATTENDANT
Saturday, August 10 – Monday, August 12, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM

  • Duty: Greet SYTA attendees, answer any questions, help direct them; ensure supplies are stocked or replenished as needed.
  • Requirements: Knowledge of the Conference schedule and floorplan.
  • Be prepared to: Answer questions; direct people as needed. Be friendly and courteous. Maintain the area remains neat and restock materials as needed. Maintain a professional attitude.
  • Attire: Business casual and comfortable shoes recommended.
  • Considerations: Friendly and professional customer service skills required.

  

SYTA CENTRAL/INFORMATION KIOSKS
Saturday, August 10, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday, August 11, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Monday, August 12, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

  • Duty: SYTA Central is the conference hub and will be the place for New Attendees to ask questions, volunteers to check in, members to vote in the election and more. Assist SYTA staff by responding to general inquiries in this area: conference, appointment, election, education, comments and concerns.
  • Requirements: Must enjoy talking to people, answering questions and following through on requests. Must review conference website and materials prior to shift. Must be computer savvy.
  • Be prepared to: Answer general and conference-specific questions, provide general instructions, direct attendees to the conference floor and other key locations, help conference attendees connect with other individuals as requested, help other volunteers check-in for their shifts, “walk the floor” with new attendees, be knowledgeable of the schedule, direct attendees to the SYTA app, and be friendly, engaging and courteous. Assist with member connections, as per the SYTA Guarantee.
  • Attire: Business casual and comfortable shoes recommended as you will be on your feet.
  • Considerations: Volunteer will likely be on their feet for the duration of the shift and engage in a lot of talking. Volunteer should work well under pressure and not be easily flustered.  Friendly and professional customer service skills required.

 

EDUCATION: THOUGHT LEADER SESSIONS
Saturday, August 10 – Monday, August 12, Various Times

  • Duty: Help direct attendees to their session, assist with room setup, ensure speaker has what they need, greet attendees, introduce the speaker (provided to you)
  • Requirements: Standing and greeting, speaking
  • Be prepared to: Answer questions, greet each attendee at the door, distribute any meeting materials & serve as mic runner (if-applicable), and be knowledgeable about the session.
  • Attire: Business casual
  • Considerations: Volunteer may be asked for stand for a short duration of time. Considerations can be made for someone to sit, if necessary. Volunteer is expected to stay for the duration of the session.

*If you are working toward your CSTP, you can knock out a volunteer requirement and an education requirement by volunteering in this capacity.

 

HUMAN DIRECTIONAL/FLOATERS
Various times and locations

  • Duty: Assist SYTA and host city staff with directing all registered attendees from point A to point B, both during the day at the hotel and in the evenings to/from events. Assist loading buses (where applicable) and controlling flow of attendees. Communicate expectations and generate excitement for the event/activity.
  • Requirements: Be knowledgeable of where to direct people, start/end times of activities and events and the floorplan.
  • Be prepared to: Answer general questions and provide general instructions. Direct traffic flow. Assist with loading buses as needed or directing to public transportation. Smile and be enthusiastic!
  • Attire: Business casual and comfortable shoes recommended as you will be on your feet and/or attire that you will wear to the event following.
  • Considerations: Volunteer will likely be on their feet for the duration of the shift and must maintain and exude a positive attitude. Volunteer will board the last bus to the event/back to the hotel. Position is best for enthusiastic and engaging people!

 

BREAKFAST ATTENDANT or GENERAL SESSION ATTENDANT
Saturday, August 10, 7:00 AM – 8:15 AM and 8:15 AM – 9:45 AM
Sunday, August 11, 7:45 AM – 9:00 AM and 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Monday, August 12, 7:00 AM – 8:15 AM and 8:15 AM – 9:45 AM

  • Duty: Assist SYTA Staff by helping room setup and seating. Direct attendees to food/seating. Greet people as they enter the room.
  • Requirements: Walking, standing, being familiar with the room layout
  • Be prepared to: Welcome and direct attendees to appropriate seats, including any sponsor/reserved seating assignments. Encourage seating closer to front of room. Assist where needed.
  • Attire: Business casual and comfortable shoes recommended.
  • Considerations: Volunteer may be one of the last to sit. May need to walk the room to seek open seats at tables.

 

TOUR OPERATOR LUNCHEON ATTENDANT
Saturday, August 10, 1:05 – 2:15 PM
Monday, August 12, 1:05 – 2:15 PM

  • Duty: Assist SYTA Staff by helping room setup and seating. Direct attendees to food/seating. Greet people as they enter the room.
  • Requirements Walking, standing, being familiar with the room layout
  • Be prepared to: Welcome and direct attendees to appropriate tables, including sponsor/reserved table assignments (seating chart available). Encourage seating closer to front of room. Assist where needed.
  • Attire: Business casual and comfortable shoes recommended.
  • Considerations: Volunteer may be one of the last to sit at the meal. May need to walk the room to seek open seats at tables and help people find a seat in time for the program to begin.

 

SYTA YOUTH FOUNDATION LOUNGE: SILENT AUCTION/CHANCE DRAWING
Friday, August 9, – Monday, August 12, Various Times

  • Duty: Generate excitement about the auction and drawing, promote attendee participation. Assist with bidding and account creation through auction platform. Help organize winners and assist with prize pick up. Sell chance drawing tickets by walking the attendee areas.
  • Requirements: Friendly and professional customer service skills required. Familiarize yourself with the auction platform. Be comfortable with technology and answering questions.
  • Be prepared to: Answer questions about how to bid and how to check account status, become familiar with the auction platform/receive a tutorial from the SYTA Staff, Smile and engage with people walking by!
  • Attire: Business casual and comfortable shoes recommended.
  • Considerations: Must be computer savvy. Friendly and professional customer service skills required. This is a great volunteer position for engaging people!