Welcome to the SC Community
The SC Conference extends a warm welcome to our first-time attendees! SC started in 1988, and since then we’ve grown to host over 13,000 individuals at our events.
We would like to thank you for joining our community and want you to have an incredible conference experience.
Why Attend SC?
SC is one of the largest HPC conferences in the world. We host thousands of students, exhibitors, and presenters representing institutions of every shape and size. Our volunteers are committed to bring you a broad range of experiences to help you get the most out of the event. In fact, here below is what a few of our leaders have to say about their own first time at SC.
Attending my first SC was a real chance for me to connect to the global network of HPC researchers and partnerships. From the moment I arrived I felt welcomed and was instantly taken in as part of the community. I wanted to carry that feeling on to other first-time attendees – no matter who they are – so that’s why I joined the SC21 Inclusivity Committee.
— Cristin Merritt
SCinet embodies the efforts of 200 volunteers representing academia, government, and industry, as they collaborate to design the most high performance network in the world. This diverse pool of dedicated volunteers embodies the spirit of SC by fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment that welcomes back individuals year after year.
— Jason Zurawski
I attended SC for the first time as an undergraduate student in 2010 and was completely awestruck by the number of events, the technology on the exhibit floor, and all the people in the community. I was also impressed by the quality of the job fair! After SC10, I was able to attend as a student volunteer twice, and I’ve been moved to volunteer in some capacity every year since.
— Christine Harvey
Resources to Help Guide You
Attending SC for the first time can be an overwhelming experience. But fear not, this page is designed to help you navigate the conference with ease.
There is a session designed to help you learn about SC and how to optimize your time. Whether you choose to attend in St. Louis or remotely, join this helpful session, meet other first-time attendees, and get familiar with our events and activities. The session is followed by a Q&A and are open to all registered attendees.
SC First-Timer Orientation
Remember, our team of volunteers is here to make sure you have a great conference experience. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Navigating SC
SC content, experiences, and events are organized under four main umbrellas:
- Program: Called the ‘heart of the conference’, the Technical Program is where you’ll find papers, panels, talks, workshops, and so much more.
- Exhibits: Visit hundreds of vendors and institutions from around the world showcasing the latest advancements, innovations, and services in HPC.
- SCinet: The product of thousands of person-hours, this cutting-edge network is the backbone of SC and is made available for experimental and commodity use throughout the conference.
- Students@SC: Designed for both undergraduates and graduates, programs within Students@SC helps in professional development and builds strong support networks.
First-Timer Tips:
- Review the information at Navigating SC for a full download of SC conference details.
- If you’re attending in-person, familiarize yourself with the convention center.
- Attending one or more of the receptions is a great way to unwind and network in a fun environment.
- Grab a keepsake from your first SC experience at the conference store!
- Visit the information booths on-site as they’re staffed with friendly faces willing to help.
Registration
Plan to attend SC in St. Louis, or decide if remote participation is right for you.
If you’re attending on-site, we’ve made picking up your badge as easy as possible. Just take your government-issued ID to the clearly marked registration desk upon arrival. Picking up your badge the day before you start attending sessions will help you avoid missing out. If you choose remote participation, you’ll receive login credentials for sessions available in the SC21 HUBB in your registration confirmation email.
First-Timer Tips:
- Registration is broken down into four easy steps on the registration page.
- If you’re attending from outside the United States, review the information for international attendees.
- Check the housing page for a list of hotels near the convention center and book your stay.
Scheduling Your Time
Ready to start planning your SC experience? The SC Schedule is your definitive guide to what’s happening where and when. More content will be added in the coming weeks, so stay tuned! We’ll also have a mobile app available for download in mid-October. And remember to check out the exhibitor list and floor plan.
First-Timer Tips:
- Flag sessions in the schedule to create your own personalized agenda.
- Wear comfortable shoes to SC – there’s a lot of ground to cover!
- Whether you’re on-site or remote, catch sessions you might have missed on-demand in the SC21 HUBB (depending on the type of registration you choose).
- On-demand sessions will be available in the SC21 HUBB until January 31, 2022.
Health, Safety, & Inclusivity
We take the well-being of our attendees very seriously. In order to ensure an optimal conference experience for all, we’ve established the following policies and commitments:
First-Timer Tips:
- Use common sense as you would in any large city, and heed the safety notes on the Navigating SC page.
- If you are involved in or witness harassment of any kind, please contact us immediately.
- Children 6 months and under may be brought into all conference sessions, or choose to register for on-site child care (available soon).
- SC welcomes everyone regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, race, or religion.
Stay Up to Date
SC deploys information through several channels to help attendees stay up to date with the latest conference information before, during, and after the big event. These include news and stories in the blog, monthly newsletters, and postings in our social media channels.
First-Timer Tips:
- Register to receive the monthly SC Newsletter, or review the newsletter archive.
- Stay connected though social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube
- In early November, all registered attendees receive a “Know Before You Go” email containing lots of useful information.
We look forward to seeing you on-site or online this fall.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.