Top Speech Conferences in 2018: A Detailed Overview
In 2018, several significant speech conferences took place, bringing together scientists, researchers, and vendors from around the globe. Here's a detailed look at some of the key events.
Interspeech 2018, Hyderabad, India
Interspeech 2018 was held from September 2-6, 2018, in Hyderabad, the capital city of Telangana state in India. Hyderabad, with a population of approximately 8 million, provided a vibrant backdrop for this international conference.
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Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC)
Venue and Accommodation
The venue for Interspeech 2018 was the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), a state-of-the-art facility capable of hosting over 5000 delegates. The HICC is equipped with advanced technological, communication, and audio-visual tools, making it comparable to the best convention centers worldwide. Adjoining the HICC is the Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre, a modern 4-star hotel featuring 287 guest rooms. The High Tech City area surrounding the HICC offers numerous options for transport, accommodation, food, shopping, and entertainment within a 7-kilometer radius.
About Hyderabad
Hyderabad is rich in history, offering many places to visit. For shoppers, the city provides a wide array of options, including antiques, handicrafts, jewellery, dresses, and leather goods. The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), approximately a 40-minute drive from the HICC, is highly rated for its Airport Service Quality.
Charminar in Hyderabad
India: A Unique Linguistic Landscape
India, with a population of over 1.25 billion people, is characterized by its linguistic, cultural, and culinary diversity, yet remains unified as a single nation. This diversity makes communication, particularly in spoken form, a unique and challenging area for scientific exploration. The speech research community in India is actively addressing these challenges with support from federal and state governments, as well as industry.
Organizers hoped that participants from around the world would gain firsthand insight into the unique challenges of providing IT-enabled services to a multilingual society like India.
Please mark your calendars and save 2-6 September 2018 for Interspeech 2018 in Hyderabad, India.
NSDA National Conference Expo, Phoenix, Arizona
The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) held its Conference Expo at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix, Arizona. This event provided a platform for vendors to showcase their products and services to conference attendees. The Conference Expo was held during specific times at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix, Arizona.
Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix, Arizona
Exhibition Guidelines
The NSDA established guidelines to govern vending at the 2018 National Conference. Key points included:
- Only exhibitors who reserved space through the NSDA were allowed to vend.
- A reservation was considered complete once a Conference Expo Registration Form was submitted and payment was received by July 6, 2018.
- All fees had to be paid prior to the start of the Expo.
- Exhibitors who also participated in the National Tournament Expo (June 17-22, 2018) received a 20% discount on their Conference Expo purchase.
Exhibition Space
Reserved exhibition space included one six-foot or eight-foot table, depending on location and availability. Exhibitors were responsible for bringing their own power strips and extension cords if electricity was needed, as the NSDA did not guarantee access to electricity or provide electronic equipment. Public Wi-Fi with limited bandwidth was available at each venue.
Important Notes for Exhibitors
Exhibitors were required to adhere to specific guidelines to ensure a smooth and respectful environment for all participants:
- Noise and visual elements from booths must not affect the presentations of other exhibitors.
- Exhibitors were responsible for removing all materials, including trash, at the conclusion of their vending period.
- Submitting a Conference Expo Registration Form indicated acknowledgment, understanding, and acceptance of the Conference Expo Guidelines.
Table: Summary of Conference Details
| Conference | Location | Dates | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interspeech 2018 | Hyderabad, India | September 2-6, 2018 | State-of-the-art convention center, focus on multilingual communication challenges in India |
| NSDA National Conference Expo | Phoenix, Arizona | - | Platform for vendors, specific guidelines for exhibitors |
While the National Speech & Debate Association attempted to accommodate requests, final table placement was at the discretion of the national office staff.