MOBTS 2024 Pre-Arrival Handbook (PAH)
Email #2: Virtual Programming, Conference Norms, and Residence Halls
What's in This PAH?
  • Virtual Programming Info
  • Conference norms and expectations
  • Residence Halls & Conference Check-in
  • The History of Jim's Place

Prior Conference Pre-Arrival Mailings to Date (PDF)
MOBTS Conference Attendees,

This second segment of our 'Pre-Arrival Handbook' (PAH) is going to share our virtual programming offerings and then also go over some of our conference norms and what to expect on campus in terms of the general program, socials, and on-site accommodations.

MOBTS playfully refers to itself as "summer camp for management educators." While MOBTS isn't all fun and games, given our experiential nature it mostly is! But with the benefit of learning, collaborating, and networking through those experiences.

In order to fully embrace not only what MOBTS offers but how it offers its experience, it is important to recognize the Society's culture and conference norms. MOBTS is an incredibly laid back, informal event. The entire purpose of coming together is to support one another, to provide one another with new and/or enhanced tools to bring back to the classroom, to touch upon difficult topics in safe and supportive spaces, and to keep the flame burning in our effort as a community to enhance the quality of teaching and learning across the management disciplines.
Virtual & Hybrid Programming

Providing virtual offerings alongside our in-person conference is part of our DEI efforts. As not all those that desire to come to MOBTS actually can get to MOBTS - for any number of reasons - we believe that offering virtual and hybrid programming is critical to our mission of enhancing the quality of teaching and learning across the management disciplines.

The preliminary virtual and hybrid programming is now live on our conference program. If you are a virtual presenter or attendee, in order to gain access to the Zoom link you will need to pre-register on Zoom here.

Virtual and hybrid sessions are clearly marked on the conference program, as shown below. Please note that virtual sessions are sessions where all presenters are presenting off-site into the classroom and onto Zoom. In-person attendees can join within the classroom listed on the program or can join from their laptops/mobile devices. Hybrid sessions are sessions that are being presented in-person but are designed for increased engagement for virtual participants.

Session presenters should be aware that all presenters must be registered for the conference, regardless of whether they are in-person or virtual. It is against conference policy to Zoom a presenter in who has not registered as such.
Clothing - What to Wear to MOBTS

MOBTS is not your normal academic conference in many respects, but clothing may be where we stand out the most. We advise our attendees to not wear traditional business wear. Leave the jackets, blazers, ties, and dress shoes at home. The vast majority of our attendees will be wearing t-shirts, shorts, and sneakers, sandals, etc. Come relaxed!

If being at a conference and wearing a t-shirt isn't your thing, that is perfectly okay! However, we do ask that at most you 'dress up' to the extent of a polo and slacks, button-down with no jacket, Hawaiian, etc. Mind you, Salem, Mass. can still be quite chilly this time of year with highs in the low 70s and lows in the low 50s. So, be certain to pack whatever will make you comfortable which may include a jacket if we pull a cold day or two.
On-Campus Housing & Conference Check-in

While we'll provide more explicit details for on-campus housing, the check-in process, and so forth in a future email, there are some key details to touch upon as you start to consider your trip to Salem State University.

The address of the residence hall and conference check-in is:
71 Loring Avenue
Salem, MA 01970

  1. Conference Check-in: This will take place in the lobby of our residence hall, as seen in the image with the billiard tables below.
  2. Linens, Blanket, Towels, etc.: MOBTS will provide you with linens (fitted sheet and flat sheet for a Twin XL bed), a pillow and pillowcase, a blanket, a bath towel, and a washcloth. However, please be aware that these are residence halls and MOBTS does not run a Four Seasons luxury hotel...or even a Super 8 for that matter. If you require comfort beyond the basics that we are providing you as listed above, we strongly encourage you to pack such comfort for your trip. Please note that there will not be a towel exchange.
  3. Residence Hall Rooms: Room accommodations are assigned for suites to operate in a 2:1 ratio. This means that for every one full bathroom in a suite there will be two bedrooms assigned. Most all rooms have split showers and toilets, so both won't be occupied at the same time. All bedrooms are private which you will have your own key for. Unless otherwise requested (typically by spouses/partners), no rooms will be shared. Finally, do not lose your room key! Any room key that is not turned in at the end of the conference and is deemed lost will be billed to the attendee. These charges are often quite significant as rooms/suites may need to be re-keyed.
  4. Laundry: There is a laundromat on the first floor of the residence hall. You may use these at any time, so if you desire to pack light and wash your clothes for reuse, you will have the opportunity to do so.
  5. Residence Hall Amenities: Our residence hall has multiple amenities including an adjacent Starbucks, billiard tables, laundry facilities, private lounges, and exercise equipment. All of this will be available for use throughout the conference.

Here is a peak at our residence hall:
Jim's Place

"Jim's Place" is a critical part of the MOBTS culture. I strongly encourage you to read the plaque below. This plaque accompanies us to the conference every year in commemoration and remembrance of the magic that Jim Waters brought to the Society and the magic that our members continue to bestow upon it year after year, now 51 years strong.

Jim's Place is the MOBTS* after hours pub. This 'pub' is often makeshift and can take place in a classroom, a lobby, a dorm, or just about anywhere! Jim's Place is the people, not the location! It is a place to relax, enjoy some cold beverages and snacks, to chat, sing some songs, or even play a board game or some cards. Our host location will shift a bit during the nights of the conference. Please refer to the conference program for each night's location of Jim's Place.

Jim's Place runs until around 11pm each night of the conference starting on Tuesday, June 11th through Thursday, June 13th when it runs alongside our annual talent show.

Interested in participating in the talent show? Sign up here! It's an incredible event and first-time attendees should feel welcomed, supported, and confident to share what they have to offer!

*For those of you that are newer to the organization, as you'll notice on the plaque, there are mentions of OBTS and OBTC. Prior to 2017, MOBTS was known as OBTS (Organizational Behavior Teaching Society), while the conference was known as OBTC (Organizational Behavior Teaching Conference). In recognition of our expanding membership and our mission to enhance the quality of teaching and learning across the management disciplines, we renamed the Society MOBTS for greater inclusivity.
Thank you to our Institutional Affiliate sponsors!
Please consider having your own institutions become affiliate members of MOBTS. There is significant value in doing so for institutions with faculty that attend our annual, International, and Oceania conferences!

As always, should you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me via email or call/text/WhatsApp me at (843) 855-0301 and I will respond as soon as possible.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Brandon Charpied
MOBTS Executive Director
Brandon Taylor Charpied
Executive Director, MOBTS
brandon@mobts.org
+1 (843) 855-0301
Management & Organizational Behavior Teaching Society | mobts.org