Each year we survey attendees of the ISTE Conference & Expo to find out what they liked and didn't like and challenge them to think about what new sessions, formats, technologies, speakers or special events they'd like to see at future conferences.

Many of those suggestions turn into great new additions to the conference. Read on for a list of new ideas, sparked by attendee feedback. 

Reading Terminal Market Culinary Tour

Sign up for this Sunday evening culinary tour and get tapas from over 40 local food vendors, including Philly cheesesteaks, delectable confections, exotic dishes and comfort foods that will delight foodies and non-foodies alike — all for just $10 if you register in advance. If you've visited Philadelphia before, you've likely already been to America's largest and oldest public market, which dates back to 1893. If you haven't visited before, this is a must-attend event that starts after the Mainstage Session.

Learning Journey Design Desk

The number of learning opportunities offered at ISTE19 is simply staggering! Attendees can choose from hundreds of sessions, 20 mainstage speakers, 18 playgrounds, dozens of expo hall demonstrations and many other experiences, both inside the convention center and at locations around Philadelphia.

The breadth and depth is one of the ISTE Conference & Expo’s great appeals. To help attendees make the most of it, the new Learning Journey Design Desk will be staffed with “program designers” who can create personalized learning itineraries.

For example, an elementary school teacher who is interested in diving into topics of interest to K-2 educators can get help creating a personalized itinerary.

The designers are all former ISTE program committee members, who have years of conference experience under their belts. They’ll also offer tips and tricks to make the most of the conference or simply help attendees decide on their first steps. Look for the Learning Journey Design Desk each day in the Grand Hall.

More experiences outside the conference center

This year attendees will have more opportunities to experience the host city. On Sunday, they can enjoy walking tours focused on local foods, arts, cultural sites and photography.

It’s a chance for educators to get out and take advantage of all the local environment has to offer, including field trips to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Franklin Institute science museum and the Barnes Foundation art collection.

Mind Meetups

Year after year, attendees declare that the one of the best things about the conference is the connections they make with other inspiring educators. Mind Meetups is an event that lets attendees tap into the knowledge of their peers. Mind Meetups match up people with similar interests and jobs who want to teach and learn from each other.

People’s choice sessions on Sunday

We've expanded offerings on Sunday by crowdsourcing what attendees want to learn about. The result is a full day of educational activities on the hottest topics in edtech. 

A look at e-sports

Get a firsthand introduction to e-sports with a field trip to Localhost Arena in Philadelphia. The field trip, E-sports and Education in Action!, offers a chance to play and watch e-sports games. Students and faculty from local schools will be there to discuss their experiences with e-sports in the classroom and to coach you.

Those who can’t make the field trip, can attend two panel discussions on e-sports: Esports in K12: What, Why, and How! (Sunday at 1 p.m.), and Not Distraction — Education! Esports as a Powerful Learning Tool for Students (Monday at 4 pm.).

TED masterclass Showcase

Don’t miss these inspiring high-energy talks by educators who’ve completed the TED Masterclass, a special course to help educators share their stories and amplify their voices. Then attend the interactive lecture TED Masterclass: TED’s Idea Accelerator for Educators to find out how you can tell your best story.