Hackathon Event
Sponsored by MERL Tech
Wednesday, October 23 | 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday, October 24 | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday, October 25 | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Pre Function A
The American Evaluation Association and The MERL Tech Initiative present—The Evaluators' No-Code AI Hackathon: Innovate, Create, Evaluate! This beginner-friendly hybrid hackathon challenges participants to create ethical AI-powered solutions for real-world evaluation problems. Participants will generate prototype solutions from a range of free, easy-to-use, no-code platforms like Claude, GPTs, and Hugging Face Assistants, among others. Seriously, no coding experience is required! Tackle challenges and compete in various categories like evaluation planning and management, evaluation lifecycle support, evaluation capacity development, and more. You'll have everything you need to participate and innovate with in-person, on-site tech support, and virtual expert guidance via the Natural Language Processing Community of Practice Sandbox Working Group. Join us to experiment, learn new skills, and compete for prizes and bragging rights.
Poster Exhibit & Meet the Authors Reception - Learn More
Sponsored by EnCompass and GEMS Associates
Wednesday, October 23 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Exhibit Hall A1/B
Join us at the Poster Exhibit & Meet the Authors Reception to explore posters that are on display, network with top authors, and meet with exhibitors from across the country.
Wednesday, October 23 | 7:30 p.m. | C124
This 90-minute storytelling extravaganza will take you on a journey of lessons learned through the first-person narratives of our talented storytellers. Everyone is welcome to attend the Story Slam; storytellers will be randomly selected from those who throw their name in the hat. This year’s theme is Credible Evidence. Participants will be given 5-minutes to:
- Share a story about a time new evidence changed their mind or changed their life.
- Let the audience eavesdrop on how they assess credibility and when it's been important personally or professionally.
- Talk about context and positionality - how have they affected their work?
We’re excited to invite Anne-Louise Sterry to guide us through this storytelling experience.
Win prizes at the Story Slam!
- Waived full conference admission for Eval 2025 (Up to $700 value)
- One year of AEA membership (Up to $184 value)
- One E-study of choice (Up to $400 value)
Street Books Charitable Event
Thursday, October 24 | 10:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Pre-Function Area A
AEA is pleased to partner with Street Books in support of communities in need in Portland. Street Books is a street library committed to providing connection, community, resources, and advocacy for people living outside or at the margins in Portland, Oregon. They cultivate mutual relationships rooted in dignity and autonomy by showing up every week, year after year, in all kinds of weather, all around the city, to meet people where they are.
We invite you to stop by Pre-Function Area A (right in front of the Exhibit Hall) on Thursday, October 24 from 10:00 am – 7:30 pm to pack bags with hygiene items and adult coloring books to be donated to the community following Evaluation 2024. Representatives from Street Books will be onsite with their Bike Library and a staff member to talk about their organization and mission.
Check out this video to learn more about Street Books, their services, and their mission or visit streetbooks.org. You can also help by:
- Engaging with them on social media and sharing Street Books with your friends & family (@street.books)
- Making a financial contribution or better yet, becoming a monthly supporter!
- While AEA will be providing the materials for packing, you may also donate directly to the organization coloring books, graphic novels, and/or art supplies - colored pencils and gel pens are especially needed!
- Donating gently used paperbacks, reading glasses or other life-saving supplies from the wish list on their website.
- Hosting a book group with our book, Loaners: The Making of a Street Library, and inviting Street Books!
Poster Exhibit, Topical Interest Group (TIG) Fair
and Reception
Thursday, October 24 | 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Exhibit Hall A1/B
Meet AEA’s Topical Interest Group (TIG) members at the Topical Interest Group Reception! Each of our 60 TIGs will be participating in the TIG Receptions, giving you an opportunity to learn more about their year-long initiatives and how to get involved. Learn more about TIGs.
Silent Auction to Benefit International Presenters - Learn More
Friday, October 25 | 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Exhibit Hall A
One of the highlights of our annual conference is the Silent Auction, coordinated in collaboration with AEA’s International and Cross-Cultural Evaluation Topical Interest Group. The auction features a variety of items ranging from books, to clothing, to evaluation courses.
The proceeds benefit AEA’s International Travel Awards and are used to offset travel expenses for presenters who reside in developing countries or countries in transition, and to encourage their participation internationally.
If you would like to donate something to be bid on at the Silent Auction, please bring it along and drop it at the AEA conference registration desk. If you have any queries, please email hubertpaulmer@gmail.com.
Interested in making an early donation to the Silent Auction? Click here and click ‘Make a Gift’.
Please note cash is not accepted for the Silent Auction.
AEA President's Closing Party
Sponsored by Abt Global
Friday, October 25 | 8:00 p.m. | Pre-Function A, Level 1
Thank you for joining us in Portland for Evaluation 2024! AEA and President Felicia Bohanon invite all attendees to celebrate together as we cap off this year’s conference with music and community.