We’re excited to have you as a volunteer at The Lean Startup Conference, happening December 8-12 in San Francisco. Below you’ll find all the information to prepare for the day. There’s a lot of information, but please take 10 minutes to review that now.
Staff Contact:
Ragen, Volunteer Captain –
Moua, Registration Captain – 925.567.3619
Melissa, Executive Producer – 650.766.0302
Pass Levels and Benefits:
Silver Volunteer Pass
Must work one 7-hour shift on Wed or Thurs
Access to Ignite (Tues night), Wed & Thurs
Gold Volunteer Pass (upgrade)
In addition to the above, must work an additional 4.5 hours
Access: in addition to the above, it includes Tuesday workshop and attendee dinners (note: these are out-of-pocket pre-paid dinners)
No access to Keynote Grand Ballroom, boxed lunch, or Office Hours
Platinum Volunteer Pass (upgrade)
In addition to the above, must work a second 4.5 hour shift
Access: in addition to the above, it includes Friday workshop (note: these are out-of-pocket pre-paid dinners, $25-50)
No access to Keynote room, boxed lunch, Office Hours, Site Visits
Expectations
We only want to work with team members who will be great representatives of The Lean Startup Conference. We ask that you treat the role as a serious commitment, and take ownership of your assignment. Some of the things that we expect from our volunteers:
Professionalism
Pro-activeness
Friendliness to all our guests.
Most importantly, be flexible and arrive ON-TIME, as your assignments may change at any given moment.
Attire
Business casual. Nice jeans or slacks are recommended. Wear comfortable shoes as you will be walking a lot. You will be wearing a Lean Startup T-shirt identifying yourself as a volunteer, and you will have STAFF written on your badge.
Food
As a volunteer, you’ll receive an equivalent of a Silver Pass. You’ll have access to some of San Francisco’s best Food Trucks at Huntington Park, and you will receive a complimentary voucher for lunch on the days that you’re volunteering. Please do not grab a boxed lunch that Platinum & Gold attendees are provided. Snacks and beverages will be catered at the venue during breaks, and you’re welcome to help yourself to that.
Transportation/Parking
Parking is limited and expensive @ $60/day, so we recommend taking BART then the cable car up to Nob Hill and get off Powell & California St. Otherwise, research your closest bus option.
Volunteer Scheduling/Roles
You will receive your scheduled shift day(s) and time(s) prior to the conference, you must e-mail Ragen at [email protected] to confirm your shift. When you arrive for your shift, you will be assigned a role:
REGISTRATION
As a Registration volunteer, you are the first face many attendees will see when they arrive and are their first impression of The Lean Startup Conference. Please be assertive, proactive and helpful to all guests.
1) Badges are organized ALPHABETICALLY by LAST NAME. As the line grows, make sure people are in the right lines by periodically announcing LOUDLY “Last Name A – H with me please.” Speakers and Badge Reprint are a separate line, and should be similarly announced periodically.
2) If you do not have a badge for an attendee, send them to the Badge Reprint line, where they can take the time to more thoroughly search our database. Apologize for the trouble.
3) If managing the Badge Reprint line and someone swears they purchased a ticket, they must show an Eventbrite email confirmation with their own name. If they cannot produce a receipt, they must purchase a new ticket. If they leave, that’s fine. If they are still aggressive, request for Moua to handle.
4) The next volunteer should come 15 mins before the end of your shift. You are responsible to make sure they understand exactly how things are being done, any problems you have had, etc.
Review the agenda in the printed program, and please arrive early and walk the venue so you can give knowledgeable instructions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
A) WHERE ARE THE KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS?
For Platinum & Gold Pass holders, the talks will be held in Grand Ballroom. The Keynote Overflow Rooms for Silver and Scholarship Pass Holders are held in the Gold, Fountain & Crystal Rooms.
B) WHAT IS GOING ON NOW?
Review the agenda and let them know, but also point out the agenda in the program. Let them know we have a Networking Lounge in the Venetian Room, just down the hall, where they can mingle with attendees and grab coffee.
C) WHERE IS THE BATHROOM?
At the hallway beside the Hotel Check-in desk.
D) WHEN & WHERE IS BREAKFAST/SNACKS?
Breakfast and snacks will be in the Venetian Room throughout the day for all passes.
E) IS LUNCH / FOOD PROVIDED? AND WHERE IS IT LOCATED?
For Platinum & Gold Pass Holders: Lunch is provided during by the Fairmont – in the Pavilion, Terrace & Tonga Rooms.
For Silver & Scholarship: Tickets are available for purchase at the Food Truck line at the Registration Desk for $15 each. Food Trucks are located at Taylor St., (btwn. California & Sacramento) at Huntington Park.
F) IS THERE WIRELESS INTERNET?
Complimentary WiFi will be available throughout the meeting space. WiFi in guest rooms is available for purchase or you can sign up for The Fairmont President’s Club to receive complimentary access.
G) I AM PRESS, CAN I GET IN FREE?
Ask for their ID and Business Card and text me with their name and the name of their outlet.
H) CAN I BUY A TICKET AND GET A DISCOUNT ON THESE PRICES?
Yes, they can buy a ticket, but there are no discounts.
I) WHERE ARE THE OFFICE HOURS LOCATED AND HOW CAN I SIGN UP?
They are held in the Crown Room. Office hours are open to Platinum and Gold Pass holders only, which required advance sign-ups.
J) WHERE ARE THE DINNERS AND DO WE HAVE TO SIGN-UP IN ADVANCE?
Yes, we’ve arranged for dedicated Lean Startup tables at restaurants around town on December 10 and 11 that was not part of the conference ticket. There were advanced sign-ups. Send them to the Info Desk to purchase new tickets if it’s available.
ROOM MONITORS
Room Monitors are stationed in the Grand Ballroom throughout the day, and in our Overflow Rooms during the morning Keynote sessions.
You are responsible for:
(1) ushering and directing people to seats;
(2) ensuring everyone in the room has a badge and anyone without one is escorted out of the room;
(3) ensuring doors are closed when the panel starts and propped open when it ends.
You will help with directing foot traffic when we break.
GREETERS / BADGE CHECKERS / LUNCH MONITORS / ASSIST AS NEEDED / COAT CHECK:
You will be placed around the venue to answer questions, greet guests, direct the crowd so the flow of traffic keeps moving, and also check for badges. If someone does not have a badge, you must stop them and ask them to leave conference areas. You should be friendly but firm in this task. You will support the event staff in all areas where it’s needed. We may also ask you to run emergency errands
On Wed & Thurs, the Main Conference days, Lunch Monitors will be stationed throughout The Fairmont and out to Huntington Park and Grace Cathedral. You will direct Platinum and Gold attendees to the lunch rooms (Pavilion, Tonga, and Terrace) and direct Silver attendees to Huntington Park and Grace Cathedral where we will have indoor eating.
