By participating in a SIGGRAPH conference, you join a continuum of vast and vibrant proportions.
 
Essentials
Theory-to-practice - SIGGRAPH conferences are forums for research, debate, learning, art, business, and experience. Through presentations, workshops, galleries, festivals, exhibitions, and receptions, conference attendees have an opportunity to exchange ideas and opinions, and admire excellence on a yearly basis.

Presentations - traditional forums for the latest research and practice in the fields of computer graphics and interactive techniques. Programs such as Papers, Panels, and Sketches & Applications all contribute to archival references ("proceedings") that capture the state of the art for that year. A Keynote Address is also always a critical highlight of the week.

Workshops - programs such as Courses, Educators Program, Community Outreach, and Fundamentals Seminar engage and enlighten participants in many diverse areas of computer graphics.

Galleries, festivals, and laboratories - grand halls of experience, programs such the Art Gallery, Computer Animation Festival, Creative Applications Lab, and Emerging Technologies all offer opportunities to sample, experience, and reflect upon some of the most creative computer work of the year.

Exhibition - started in 1976, the SIGGRAPH exhibition aisre one of the most prestigious commercial events in the world. Vendors of products and services compete each year for highly prized space for the next conference year.

Receptions - numerous conference receptions (and even more independently sponsored parties) are the pulse of the SIGGRAPH community for meeting, networking, and reviewing results of the week.

Services - great services such as a Career Center, Job Fair, Internet Access Centers, busing, merchandise store, and information kiosks all enhance the experience of the conference attendee.

International Resources - volunteers dedicated to improving the participation of international guests at the conference.

Volunteers- legions of volunteers such as program committee members, student volunteers, and contributors all give their time to implement the conference experience. Opportunities to volunteer for the conference and organization are explored at the Get Involved! meeting in the middle of the week.

Special interest - Birds of a Feather (people sharing similar ideals and practices) meet informally throughout the week in smaller, more intimate settings.
 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where do I start at a SIGGRAPH conference?
If you are joining us for the first time, a SIGGRAPH conference can be intimidating. Meeting people in registration lines can often be some of your best, initial sources of experience. The Pathfinders project offers a limited amount of one-on-few mentoring for starter ideas. Stopping by the next year's conference booth is also a good place to meet people to ask questions. If you are an international guest, the International Center may be the first place to seek guidance.

Where can I get more information?
Most information about the conference and organization can be found on the Internet at www.siggraph.org. Additional information comes in the form of the Call for Participation (August), the Advance Announcement (March), and the Advance Program (May). If you attend the conference, the Program and Buyer's Guide is a resource full of contact information about many contributors to the conference.
 
Feedback
This information was brought to you by SIGGRAPH 2002 Pathfinders, a volunteer group dedicated to mentoring of first-time conference visitors.

Please take a moment to help us help you. Share with us how this improved (or could have improved) your conference experience. You can reach us at the Pathfinder booth at the annual conference or through the SIGGRAPH 2002 email contact form. Thank you.