Process Palooza 2024 FAQ
General
What is Process Palooza?
Process Palooza is a high-energy collaborative experience showcasing and celebrating the power of continuous improvement through competitions, hands-on learning, and interactive exhibits in our community pavilion. Learn more about Process Palooza.
Where and when is Process Palooza held?
The annual Process Palooza experience is held on the campus of the University of California San Diego, which is nestled along the Pacific Ocean on 1,200 acres of coastal woodland, just a short trolley-ride away from downtown San Diego.
This year, Process Palooza will take place on August 21-22, 2024 at the Price Center.
Who is the audience for Process Palooza?
Attendees are an engaged audience of change-makers, leaders, and decision makers from industries including higher education, manufacturing, information technology, healthcare, professional organizations from San Diego, the U.S., and across the globe. Our community unites around a shared passion for business excellence, operational efficiency and continuous improvement.
Do you need to be associated with UC San Diego to participate in the event, or can the public join?
You do not need to be associated with UC San Diego to participate. All those interested in starting or advancing their continuous improvement journey are welcome to join us!
Registration
How much does it cost to register?
Registration for Process Palooza 2024 will open the week of April 15. Pricing can be found below. You will also find pricing and links to more information about our add-on training opportunities, taking place on August 21, 2024. These training opportunities come with an additional cost (beyond the registration cost) and are limited in attendance capacity. So, don't miss your chance to add extra value to your Process Palooza experience, choose an add-on training session when purchasing your registration!
Pricing:
- UC San Diego affiliates: Waitlist
- University of California (UC) and Cal State (CSU) affiliates: $150 (Waitlist)
- General Admission: $325 (Waitlist)
- Add-on Training Opportunities (limited seats):
- Kaizen Workshop: $425
- Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt: $225
- Root Cause Analysis Workshop: $395
What do I get with my registration?
Registration for Process Palooza includes:
- Access to all keynote and speaking events, breakout sessions, viewing The Great Innovate competition, campus tours, meet-ups and communities, team building activities and games, the sponsor raffle and the Process Palooza Networking & Happy Hour
- A $20 Triton Card to purchase the cuisine of your choice from a variety of restaraunts around campus
Registration for Process Palooza does not include:
- Access to the Add-On Trainings & Certifications (Kaizen Workshop, LSS Yellow Belt Certification & Root Cause Analysis Workshop). These workshops can be purchased at an additional cost and will include a light breakfast and lunch.
- Lodging
- Free transportation and/or parking
When does registration close?
Registration for Process Palooza will officially close on July 31, 2024 (or whenever maximum capacity is met, whichever comes first). A waitlist is available. If registered attendees choose to cancel their registration, individuals on the waitlist will be notified of an opportunity to register for the event. If you join the waitlist, keep a close eye on your email for any messages from the Process Palooza team leading up to and on the day of Thursday, August 22, 2024.
Agenda
What's happening on Wednesday, August 21?
The first day (Wednesday, August 21) is aimed to get you prepped and revved up for the Process Palooza experience with foundational and advanced training, The Great Innovate Competition, tours, and meet-ups.
Schedule at a glance:
| Start Time | End Time | Happening | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. | 4:00 p.m. | Pre-Palooza Trainings & Certifications | Price Center & TPCS Rooms |
| 8:00 a.m. | 1:00 p.m. | The Great Innovate Competition | Price Center East Ballroom |
| 11:00 a.m. | 4:00 p.m. | Registration & Reception | Price Center West Ballroom Foyer |
| 11:30 a.m. | 1:30 p.m. | Fallen Star Tour | Campus |
| 12:00 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. | Pre-Palooza Meet-ups & Communities | Price Center Rooms |
| 2:00 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. | Design and Innovation Building & EnVision Arts and Engineering Maker Studio Tours | Campus |
What's happening on Thursday, August 22?
The second day (Thursday, August 22) is when the extravaganza launches in full force with a high-energy kick-off, a wide variety of sessions, team building activities and brain teasers, sponsor booths, The Great Innovate Competition team pitches and awards show, the sponsor raffle and plenty of hands-on learning activities! The event concludes with the Process Palooza & Lean Six Sigma Alumni Networking & Happy Hour event taking place from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Dirty Birds restaraunt. This is a great opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, reflect on the day's events and celebrate!
Schedule at a glance:
| Start Time | End Time | Happening | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00 a.m. | 2:00 p.m. | Registration & Reception | Price Center West Ballroom Foyer |
| 7:30 a.m. | 11:45 a.m. | Light Breakfast & Beverages | Price Center West Ballroom |
| 7:30 a.m. | 4:00 p.m. | Visit Sponsor Booths | Price Center West Ballroom |
| 7:30 a.m. | 4:30 p.m. | Team Building Activities & Brain Teasers | Price Center West Ballroom |
| 8:30 a.m. | 9:45 a.m. | Welcome & Keynote | Price Center West Ballroom |
| 10:00 a.m. | 11:45 a.m. | Breakout Sessions | Price Center Rooms |
| 11:45 a.m. | 1:45 p.m. | Lunch | Price Center & Campus |
| 12:15 p.m. | 1:45 p.m. | Birds of a Feather | Price Center East Ballroom |
| 1:45 p.m. | 2:45 p.m. | Competition Awards | Price Center West Ballroom |
| 3:00 p.m. | 3:45 p.m. | Poster Palooza: Live Q&A | Price Center West Ballroom |
| 3:00 p.m. | 4:45 p.m. | Breakout Sessions | Price Center Rooms |
| 5:00 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. |
*Must be present to claim prize |
Price Center West Ballroom |
| 5:30 p.m. | 7:30 p.m. | Process Palooza Networking & Happy Hour | Dirty Birds |
When should I arrive to take advantage of everything being offered?
In order to best take advantage of all that Process Palooza has to offer, make sure to attend the events taking place on Wednesday, August 21:
- The Great Innovate Competition kicks off and attendees are encouraged to come watch the competitors flex their LSS skills
- Get to know the UC San Diego campus better by taking one of the tours being offered
- Stuart Collection self-guided walking tour
- Fallen Star tour
- Design and Innovation Building tour
- EnVision Arts and Engineering Maker Studio tour
- Breakout sessions
- The Lean Leap: A Fresh Perspective from a First-time Conference Explorer
- Crafting Strong Problem Statements - Home Alone as a Case Study
- Intuitive Project Management For Everyone
- What Could Possibly Go Wrong? Incorporating Risk Management Into Process Improvement Efforts
- A3 Problem Solving: Stop Waiting for the Room
What are the Birds of a Feather sessions?
Birds of a Feather sessions are informal discussion groups based on a shared interest and without any fixed agenda.
We've scheduled the Birds of a Feather sessions during the lunch break on Thursday, August 22, from 12:15 - 1:45 p.m. Participants can grab some food, find a table with a topic they're interested in and join into a discussion with new people. It's a chance to network and learn while you're enjoying your lunch!
Birds of a Feather session topics will include:
- Project Management
- This gathering will focus on how project management practices can be refined for continuous improvement. Topics might include streamlining executive reporting, integrating continuous improvement tools like PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) within project cycles, and the role of project managers in fostering a culture of improvement.
- Organizational Change Management
- This gathering will discuss the structured approach to transitioning organizations to a desired future state. Topics might include key change management models, the role of leadership in change initiatives, and how to sustain a culture of continuous improvement through change management practices.
- Process Architecture
- This gathering will delve into the design and optimization of business processes for continuous improvement. Topics might include discussions on how structurally analyzing and redesigning processes can lead to more efficient operations and better alignment with organizational goals.
- Culture & Leadership
- This gathering will explore how leaders can create and maintain a culture that embraces continuous improvement. Topics might include strategies for integrating continuous improvement into succession planning, instilling lean behaviors in management, and creating success stories that inspire organizational change.
- Workplace Automation
- This gathering will examine how automation tools and technologies can be leveraged for continuous improvement. Topics might include the benefits of workflow automation, task management for process optimization, and the development of an intuitive ops-to-tech cycle for performance improvement.
When does Process Palooza finish so I know when to leave?
Process Palooza 2024 concludes with the Process Palooza Networking & Happy Hour event taking place at Dirty Birds restaraunt (located at the Price Center) on Thursday, August 22 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. The Networking & Happy Hour event is included in your registration cost and is a great opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, reflect on the day's events and celebrate! Appetizers and drinks will be provided, along with fun activities.
Logistics
Where should I stay while attending Process Palooza?
We have some incredible, centrally-located recommendations for lodging that will ensure you rest easy while you're here. Visit our Lodging page to find a list of recommended hotels.
Of particular note: the Sheraton La Jolla is offering Process Palooza attendees special event rates. There are a limited number of rooms available at this special rate, so be sure to book your room as soon as possible! As the discount inventory gets lower, the special event rate will increase in price. Once the discount inventory is sold out, other rooms may still be available at the regular rates.
Enter promo code "UC0" (that's a zero) in the “Corp/Promo Code” area under the “Special Rates” dropdown.
Rate: $259/night (plus taxes and fees)
Parking: $27/day
How do I get to Process Palooza from where I'm staying?
Visit our Directions & Transportation page for information on the various ways to travel to and from the UC San Diego campus for Process Palooza.
What is the recommendation for parking at Process Palooza?
All Process Palooza attendees are encouraged to carpool, use rideshare services, or explore alternative transportation methods. For those interested in parking, take note of the various options:
- Daily or hourly visitor parking (V spots) via pay stations or the ParkMobile app
- Reciprocal parking for visiting UC faculty and staff
Process Palooza won't be reserving or managing parking, but we'll do our best to provide directional signage from the two recommended lots listed below. In addition to the parking options listed above, more information can be found on the Visit Campus and Get Around Campus pages of the UC San Diego Transportation Services web site.
Gilman Parking Structure*
The Gilman lot is closest to our event at Price Center. Be advised that Gilman fills up quickly and early.
*The Gilman Parking structure Visitor spots have recently changed to 2 hour parking only. If you'd like to find all day parking please visit the South Parking Structure or the Hopkins Parking Structure.
South Parking Structure & Hopkins Parking Stucture
The South Parking Structure and Hopkins Parking Structure should have more availability than Gilman; for better or worse, each parking structure requires a bit of an walk to Price Center.
Where is the Registration Check-In area for Process Palooza?
Whether you arrive on Wednesday, August 21 or Thursday, August 22, the registration check-in area will be located in the Price Center West Ballroom Foyer. Signs will be placed both outside and inside the Price Center to direct you to key locations. Check-in is located at the far west end of the south side of Price Center - right next to the bookstore. Review the map below for registration check-in and other key locations for Process Palooza 2024:
Are meals included in registration for Process Palooza?
All Process Palooza participants will receive a $20 Triton Card upon checking in at the registration desk. The Triton Card will enable you to purchase the cuisine of your choice from a variety of restaurants around campus. We have compiled a list of dining options below. Each of these dining options offer selections within the $20 Triton card balance. Once you have used the balance available on the Triton Card, any meals or refreshments must be purchased personally. Use the UC San Diego interactive campus map to find directions to the lunch option of your choice!
Complimentary light breakfast, water, coffee and tea will be offered on Thursday, August 22.
The UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies is hosting the Process Palooza Networking & Happy Hour at Dirty Birds (located in the Price Center) on Thursday, August 22 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, reflect on the day's events and celebrate! Appetizers and drinks will be provided, along with fun activities.
If you are attending one of the three Add-On training sessions (Kaizen Workshop, LSS Yellow Belt or Root Cause Analysis Workshop) taking place on August 21 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., a light breakfast and lunch will be provided for you (options will be available for various dietary restrictions).
Visit our Meals, Refreshments & Dining page for more information.
Will there be a chance to network and have fun, or is this "just another conference"?
Process Palooza is certainly not "just another conference"! There are plenty of opportunities for networking and fun:
- Wednesday, August 21
- Tours: Stuart Collection Walking Tour, Fallen Star Tour, Design and Innovation Building Tour & EnVision Arts and Engineering Maker Studio Tour
- Pre-Palooza meet-ups and communities
- Thursday, August 22
- Team building activities & brain teasers located in the Price Center West Ballroom
- Lunch & Birds of a Feather networking groups
- Sponsor raffle
- Process Palooza Networking & Happy Hour at Dirty Birds restaurant
- Appetizers and drinks provided, along with networking and fun activities
Is there a map of the Price Center to help me find the session locations?
Yes! Refer to the maps below for Levels 1-4 of the Price Center. There will also be wayfinding signs placed throughout the Price Center to point you in the right direction for session locations.
Level One
- Price Center Theater
- Dirty Birds
Click to view enlarged mapLevel Two
- Red Shoe Room
- Bear Room
- Sun God Lounge
- Green Table Room
- Roosevelt College Room
- Marshall College Room
- Revelle College Room
- Dance Studio
- Price Center Ballroom West A/B
- Price Center Ballroom East
Click to view enlarged mapLevel Three
- Earl Warren College Room
Click to view enlarged mapLevel Four
- The Forum
- Governance Chambers
Click to view enlarged mapCompetition
What is The Great Innovate Competition?
The Great Innovate Competition offers competitors a chance to flex their Lean Six Sigma (LSS) skills and compete for prizes while improving real UC San Diego business processes using LSS.
About the Competition
To register as a competitor you must:
- Be an LSS practitioner (yellow belt or higher)
- Commit to attend The Great Innovate Competition from 7:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on August 21, 2024, as well as the competitor presentations on August 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m.
- Come prepared to help name your team!
What to Expect
- A total of 36 competitors will be selected from the competitor pool and placed on teams. You won't know who is on your team until the evening before the competition. And, you won't know what process you'll be challenged to improve until the morning of the event. Note: you may be placed in the backup pool depending on the number of competitors.
- Check-in is at 7:45 a.m. on August 21, 2024 at the Price Center East Ballroom
- Competition teams form and receive their challenge at 8:15 a.m.
- Your team is relying on you to show, by not attending or arriving late you can potentially disqualify your team
- Competitor presentations will take place on August 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
- The Great Innovate Awards Ceremony will take place on August 22, 2024 from 1:30 - 2:45 p.m.
- There will be prizes and University-wide recognition for the best process improvement outcomes
How do I compete in The Great Innovate Competition?
Fill out the Competition Interest Form (coming soon!) for a chance to participate in The Great Innovate Competition.
To qualify as a competitor you must:
- Be registered to attend Process Palooza
- Be an LSS practitioner (yellow belt or higher)
- Commit to attend The Great Innovate Competition from 7:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on August 21, 2024, as well as the competitor presentations on August 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m.
- Come prepared to help name your team!
If I don't want to compete, can I watch The Great Innovate Competition?
YES! The Great Innovate Competition isn't only for competitors, spectators are not only welcome but encouraged! Stop by and watch process improvement masters at work as they improve real UC San Diego business processes using LSS.
Sponsorship
What does "sponsor" mean in relation to Process Palooza?
100% of Process Palooza is funded by the generosity of of "sponsors" - organizations wishing to support our continuous improvement movement and eager to connect with a diverse audience of change-makers from all industries.
We offer a number of different sponsorship opportunities, with numerous monetary commitment levels. Each sponsorship opportunity comes with its own set of benefits. We are committed to maximizing sponsor engagement before, during and after the event. Process Palooza 2024 will be in-person only, ensuring the optimal interactive experience for both sponsors and attendees.
Visit our Sponsorship page to learn more about sponsoring Process Palooza 2024, explore the various sponsorship opportunities and get in touch with us if you're interested in becoming a sponsor.
Can my company sponsor Process Palooza?
YES! We appreciate our sponsors who help make Process Palooza an affordable experience. Our community unites around a shared passion for business excellence, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement. Visit the Sponsorship page to find information on the 2024 Process Palooza sponsorship opportunities.
Misc.
I lost/found something in the Price Center, is there a Lost & Found?
Yes!
Lost and found items in Price Center or Student Center can be turned in and claimed at either the Event Services & Reservations Desk or Open Desk, both located in Price Center.
The Event Services & Reservations Desk is located on Level 3 of Price Center. Open Desk is located just off Library Walk on Level 2 of the Price Center. A Price Center map is available here.
All lost and found items turned into University Centers are logged into the campus-wide system. Through the system, if your item has been found, the University Centers staff will be able to help you locate where the item is held currently.
Submitting a claim is the fastest and easiest way to find out if your item has been found, or create a ticket in case the item is found at a later date. Claims submitted through the online portal will search both University Centers and Gilman Service Center Lost & Found databases.
All found items held by University Centers are turned over to UC San Diego’s primary Lost & Found location, Gilman Service Center, every Thursday.