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When
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WHERE
Mechanics Hall | 321 Main St., Worcester, MA | View directions
The Idea Swap is an annual event for New England-based nonprofit cultural organizations and touring artists to network and share tour project ideas, including those that may qualify for funding from NEFA’s Expeditions grant program.
Please note that the event is now SOLD OUT.
#NEFAIdeaSwap
Watch a highlight reel from a past Idea Swap!
View the 2017 Idea Swap Participant List (as of 11/02/17)
Review the Mini Swap Projects.
Get Involved: Discover, Share, & Present Project Ideas
In addition to networking, Idea Swap participants are encouraged to share ideas in all stages with their colleagues from around the region. Project ideas are selected in advance to make five-minute presentations at the Idea Swap. Please see below for more details about how to present.
- Discover project ideas
Visit the Idea Swap Project Ideas page to find out what other New England presenting organizations and performing artists are working on.
- Share your project idea online
Submit your project idea on the Project Ideas page. Project ideas will be listed on this page before and after the Idea Swap, and will be distributed in hard copy to all event participants.
- Present your project idea at the Idea Swap
In advance of the Idea Swap, NEFA selects 15-20 projects from the Project Ideas page to make 5-minute presentations at the Idea Swap.
Schedule
| 9:00-9:30 | New to NEFA or Idea Swap? Meet and mingle with NEFA staff and colleagues, including representatives of New England Presenters (NEP) and Arts Presenters of Northern New England (APNNE). |
| 9:30-10:00 | Light Breakfast & Networking |
| 10:00-10:45 | NEFA Welcome & Overview of the Expeditions Highlights from NEFA’s new strategic plan. An overview of the Expeditions program and application process. |
| 10:45-12:00 | Project Presentations A selected group of presenters and artists share 5-minute formal presentations of touring projects. View the Idea Swap Project Ideas page for all projects. |
| 12:00-1:15 | Lunch & Networking Optional lunch table topics will be available for participants to discuss and learn about:
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| 1:15-2:15 | Mini Swaps Participants break out into small groups to informally share project ideas in quick, two to three-minute succession. Project ideas will be shared for approximately 45 minutes followed by networking. Groups are divided by the disciplines of music, dance, and theater. Sign up at the registration table to present at a mini swap. |
| 2:15-3:00 | Project Presentations 12. RADICALS IN MINIATURE |
| 3:00-4:00 | Dessert & Networking Reception |
Parking & carpool
There is limited on-street parking available. The nearest parking lots are on Waldo Street, Exchange Street, East Central Street, Main Street, and the Elm Street Garage.
View parking lots in the surrounding area.
Need a ride/have a ride? Sign up to carpool.
Hotels
NEFA is delighted to offer a discounted rate with the Holiday Inn Express Worcester Downtown.
Rooms are $140/night excluding taxes, including free parking, Express Start Breakfast, and WiFi. Reserve by 10.1.17.
Holiday Inn Express Worcester Downtown
110 Summer Street, Worcester
508.757.0400
There are 2 ways to make a reservation:
- Call 855-914-9635 and mention “NEFA Idea Swap”
- Click this link below:
NEFA Idea Swap. You need to select the dates of the stay but the group code will populate. If it does not, the group code is "NIS"
There are several other hotels within a 3-15 minute drive to Mechanics Hall. Please see the list below for more hotel options.
In order of proximity to downtown Worcester:
Hilton Garden Inn
35 Major Taylor Boulevard, Worcester
508.753.5780
Courtyard by Marriott Worcester
72 Grove Street, Worcester
508.363.0300
Beechwood Hotel
363 Plantation Street, Worcester
508.754.5789
Residence Inn by Marriott
503 Plantation Street, Worcester
508.753.6300
Quality Inn & Suites
50 Oriol Drive, Worcester
508.852.2800
The Suburban Extended Stay Worcester
50 Oriol Drive, Worcester
508.852.2800
Fairfield Inn & Suites Worcester Auburn
718 Southbridge Street, Auburn
508.832.9500
Holiday Inn Express Auburn
10-12 Johnson Street, Auburn
508.832.2500