What are the Media Management Center's executive education programs like?

I come from a small newspaper. Will the Center's seminars be relevant to me?

What's the phone number and address where I can be reached?

What do I need to bring?

What's the dress code during the seminars?

Where do I stay while I'm at the Media Management Center? Do I have to make my own hotel reservation?

Are the classes far from the hotel? Is transportation available?

How much free time do we have during the seminars?

Will I be able to check my e-mail in my hotel room?

How can I get the most out of my experience?

Do I have to "live in" during the sessions?

May I bring my car?

Can guests visit me during the course?

What if I arrive early?

Do they have vegetarian meals?

Are exercise facilities available?

What are the Media Management Center's executive education programs like?
The Center's executive education programs are among the most intensive, rigorous and rewarding programs available. Curricula emphasize management topics most relevant to media executives with a contemporary business school teaching approach. On a typical day, classes start at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 6 p.m. with two breaks and an hour for lunch. Participants have cocktails at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Most nights participants have group meetings, study sessions or additional classes after dinner. Homework and readings during the evenings are the norm. Classes are generally a mix of lectures, group exercises and discussions.
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I come from a small newspaper. Will the Center's seminars be relevant to me?
The Center's program participants come from a variety of different sized markets. The tools participants acquire are useful in any market size because they emphasize strategic management of the company as a whole.
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What's the phone number and address where I can be reached?
Messages, packages or faxes may be sent during the class day to the James L. Allen Center, 2169 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL, 60208. Phone number: (847) 864-9270. Fax number: (847) 491-4323. Overnight accommodations are at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1818 Maple Ave., Evanston, IL. The phone number is (847) 475-6400. The fax number for the hotel is (847) 475-6460.
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What do I need to bring?
Participants should bring samples of their company's work (newspapers, magazines, programming clips, as appropriate). Other materials including paper for notes, binders, bags, pencils and almost anything else seminar participants might need, will be provided by the Center. Participants can bring laptops to class to take notes, (electrical outlets are readily available), although they are not required for coursework.
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What's the dress code during the seminars?
The Center's programs encourage a relaxed, informal atmosphere and participants are encouraged to dress accordingly. Ties are prohibited and most participants stick to business casual or simply casual attire.
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Where do I stay while I'm at the Center? Do I have to make my own hotel reservation?
The Center's program participants generally stay at either the Hilton Garden Inn or the Hotel Orrington, both located in downtown Evanston, within walking distance of the Northwestern campus, shops, restaurants, and Lake Michigan. The Center handles all reservations and billing for the hotel. The seminar fee includes all lodging costs.
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Are the classes far from the hotel? Is transportation available?
Classes are held at the Kellogg School of Management's executive education center, the Allen Center, located on the Northwestern University campus within walking distance of either hotel. For participants who prefer not to walk, special shuttle busses run regularly to and from the Allen Center.
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How much free time do we have during the seminars?
Recreation time is provided as the schedule permits. AEP classes will take a recess on Saturday afternoon and resume Sunday evening. Additionally, there may be weekly planned activities such as attending the theatre, baseball games, etc.
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Will I be able to check e-mail in my hotel room?
Hotel rooms at both the Hilton Garden Inn and the Hotel Orrington are equipped with data ports for laptop computers and voice mail. Faxes may be received at the front desk.
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How can I get the most out of my experience?
Executives get the most out of the program when they disengage from the day-to-day activities at their home offices and focus on the seminar. Seminars are very intense and leave little energy for managing long-distance. Past participants also recommend reading the advance materials because additional reading will be given during the seminar.
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Do I have to "live in" during the sessions?
Seminar participants, even those who live in the Chicago area, must stay with their classmates. The intensity of the program makes commuting almost impossible. Commuting also limits time spent with fellow classmates — a major benefit of a Center program. The friendships and professional ties forged often prove to be among the greatest benefits of attending.
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May I bring my car?
Although participants can bring their cars, the Center discourages it. The hotels are within walking distance of classes; a shuttle also runs regularly for participants who prefer not to walk. Downtown Evanston's restaurants and shops surround the hotels, offering all amenities within a few blocks. Trains into Chicago stop three blocks from the hotels and cabs are also readily available.
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Can guests visit me during the course?
Guests are welcome to visit during the course. Please contact the Center's staff if you need any assistance making arrangements for your visitors.
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What if I arrive early?
If you would like to arrive a day or so in advance of one of our programs, please contact Mary Badgley on the Center's staff (847-491-5616) to adjust your hotel reservation. Mary can help schedule your hotel stay, although you will be responsible for paying for any additional days.
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Do they have vegetarian meals?
All lunches and dinners served at the Allen Center offer vegetarian alternatives.
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Are exercise facilities available?
Program participants may use the Olympic-sized pool, 1/8-mile track, tennis, squash and basketball courts located inside Northwestern University's Henry Crown Sports Pavilion and Norris Aquatics Center, which is just a short walk from the Allen Center. Close to both the Hilton Garden Inn and the Hotel Orrington is the Evanston Athletic Club, to which participants have complimentary access.

For more information, please email Yetu Robinson or call him at 847-467-7689.