This week in Seattle will be my first time attending an ACRL conference. It’s getting pretty hot in my email inbox, with all the publishers and database providers and software companies competing for my attention. They’re offering me iPods, Kindle 2s, free 1 (one) year subscriptions, free reference books (two volumes on Abe Lincoln!), and my personal favorite: food. But in the end, they just want me to buy their products. Of course, my library doesn’t have much in the way of money right now, but they don’t ask me that when I send in my RSVP for the free lunches. They’re marketing with an eye to the future, right?

I usually have a sort of fatalistic attitude toward conferences. I may glance at the program ahead of time, and maybe my library director will mention a session or two I should attend, but I generally take the approach that providence will lead me where I should be.

This time around I’m changing my tune. I may stick to my old routine for the actual conference sessions, but there are just so many goodies to be had and raffles to be won on the exhibits floor that I am Getting Organized. I started a Google calendar specific the conference so I can track what booths are offering which swag and when my free meals are. Oh, and when I’m supposed to show up to present (Friday afternoon at the Cyber Zed Shed, I keep reminding myself).

It’s not just the library businesses vying for my attention. It’s also the keynote speakers. Apparently, they’re just as hard up as the rest of us for the conference market share. And Ira Glass is taking it to the people: he recorded a specific plea to the attendees of ACRL ‘09 to come listen to his keynote. He also outlines the arguments in favor of <em>his</em> keynote over his keynote competitors, Naomi Klein and Sherman Alexie. Have a listen!