Five Ways to Prepare for Convention

We are excited to announce the app for Sigma Tau Delta 2024 Centennial Convention, powered by Guidebook, is now available. With this resource, you have access to the most up-to-date information as well as networking tools. You can get started by visiting the web version of the app and tapping “Download the app” to access the guide on your iOS or Android device. Or, you can scan the QR code and navigate directly to the app.

Please use this passphrase: englishconvention2024

Our app has the most up-to-the minute convention information and allows you to create your own personal schedule, connect with other convention attendees, and post photos and status updates to share your thoughts and experiences with others.

The Second Way: What to Pack

Be sure to pack “business attire” for your own presentation. For the Convention Awards Luncheon, members are encouraged to wear Society colors. And while you’re packing, plan to show your school spirit with school apparel for Wednesday evening’s events.

The Third Way: Prepare for the Concurrent Sessions

The 2024 Convention Program is now available! The digital program includes important information about the convention and highlights some of the events you’ll want to make sure you don’t miss. Also make sure to double-check the Concurrent Sessions schedule. The schedule is posted on the Schedule page of the website and in the Program, but for the most up-to-date version of the concurrent sessions, you’ll want to refer to either the mobile or web versions of the Convention App. The registration desk at convention, as well as the app and website, will post an errata sheet with any last-minute changes to the program. If you are a presenter, moderator, or chair, check the website for helpful tips and best practices. Presenters, before you pack that printed copy of your work in your carry-on luggage, practice reading in front of people you trust to tell you whether you are speaking clearly—and to be sure your presentation comes in under your 15-minute time limit!

The Fourth Way: Learn about Special Convention Events

The 2024 Convention begins on Wednesday with our Opening Ceremony with St. Louis Literary History & Special Guest. Convention Co-Chairs Glen Brewster, AmiJo Comeford, and Carie King, and Board of Directors President Shannin Schroeder welcome attendees to the Sigma Tau Delta 2024 Convention and kick off our Centennial Celebration! Following their welcome, a representative from Left Bank Books (the official bookseller for the 2024 Convention), will offer a brief introduction to “Literary St. Louis” before special guest Donika Kelly shares poetry from her books The Renunciations and Bestiary. The night concludes with the Rectangle Reading and Open Mic Night. Come meet your fellow convention-goers and interact in a dynamic setting that perfectly opens our 2024 Convention. Thursday morning opens with the Student Leadership Event. Have you ever wanted to learn how to write an effective cover letter? Start to build your own character or story world? Write collage poetry? These and many more activities will be featured at the Student Leadership workshop! Join student leaders from each of the six regions as they guide you through the process of writing poetry, crafting a cover letter, effectively editing stories, and much more. Choose topics that are of interest to you and rotate stations to leave the workshop with tangible, creative, inspired work in hand! Keynote Speakers Maryfrances Wagner and Carl Phillips will be speaking and signing books on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Thursday and Friday evenings also feature special late-night events. Thursday evening features the Bad Poetry Contest; knock the dust off some of your old poetry or write something new making fun of poetry conventions to earn as many “boos” as possible. The best and worst poems will win some great prizes. Back by popular demand this year, Student Leadership is again hosting their Literary Trivia Pub Night! Leave the stress of presentations and travel at the door and come show off your literary prowess. Compete alongside (or against!) friends and chapter members for Sigma Tau Delta swag and other great prizes. Questions will cover a wide array of genres and time periods—and might even test your Sigma Tau Delta knowledge! And don’t miss the capstone event of this year’s convention, the Convention Awards Luncheon on Saturday, a catered banquet celebrating your and your peers’ success.

The Fifth Way: What to Do When You Arrive

When you arrive next week at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, make your way to convention Registration. The registration desk will be located in the Broadway Foyer on the first floor (turn left after the elevators). Registering gives you important materials for navigating through convention, including your name badge and a ticket to pick up the convention T-shirt you may have ordered and any other events you pre-registered for. Convention registration is open

Wednesday     3:00-9:00
Thursday         7:30-4:30
Friday              7:30-2:30
Saturday         7:30-10:30

The first event, the Opening Ceremony, will be in Salon A-D on level 2 on Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. and is an excellent introduction to convention.