Re: conference costs

[Guest guest]

amen. i feel bad for people who cant go. i know i cant i got college to pay

for....

Conference costs

> Hello all,

> I have read the answers and I am still lost. I downloaded the

> registration packet and these tours were 30 to 60 bucks a person.

> The dine arounds are 30 to 40 bucks. I like going on tours to get

> out of the hotel and see the city I am in, I am not one of the lucky

> people to have a rental car so I am at the mercy of the tours. I'll

> be leaving the hotel to see SF ONCE. I am not even going to get

> into the hotel costs or how AGAIN we are not in downtown SF but in

> Burlingame. My thinking is that I am lucky I can go right now but I

> think of all the families who can not afford those prices. To me

> those are the families that should go! LPA conferences discriminate

> big time when it comes to economical differences. I believe that

> everyone should be able to go to at least one conference in their

> life. The prices I could understand if we were in DOWNTOWN SF but

> we are not. This year will be a huge price jump and I hope that you

> Matt and Rob know that these prices are scaring away people and

> preventing them from going. I HOPE that Orlando will not be as

> costly. I'd rather see a district NOT make a profit but benefit

> more people than make a profit but benefit less. Lastly couldn't

> the hike in membership help to sway the costs of some of the

> conference activities??

> -

>

>

>

>

> ===

>

[Guest guest]

I find I have to weigh in on this discussion.

I have chaired/co-chaired three national LPA conferences and will be

chairing the Orlando Conference in 2005. I am very well aware of the

concerns of making conferences as inexpensive as possible. And know that

we keep that as a concern for each and every event. But I don't

guarantee Orlando will be much different than anywhere else. The hotel

rate is just under $100. For those of you who question why our rates are

more than others, let me remind you that the hotel rates also include ALL

THE MEETING AND BANQUET space that the hotel gives us. Nobody pays an

additional penny for the rooms that all the workshops, kids room,

dances, and gatherings are in. Nobody pays an additional penny for the

hotel staffing that sets up and tears down the workshop room set up,

Fashion Show, Talent show, and dance floors. Some groups may get cheaper

rates, but they don't use any meeting space. That's a big difference.

And , they don't need the steps, platforms, ramps etc. that we do .

Reception costs.... if all you want is cold water... sure they can be for

free... don't ask for a microphone either...Matt has already addressed

some differences in " reception costs. "

Food. Yes, when you go out to dinner at a non-fast food or family place

it can be a little costly. Add in the tax and tip and it is expensive.

Sure all of us go expensive at home once in a while. The problem is how

to do it for week at conference. I know MANY, MANY families bring

coolers, find the local grocery store and have PB & J in their room for

lunch and cold cereal for breakfast. I didn't find the San Francisco

prices for their " dine arounds " considering they include transportation

and a meal.

Transportation. Yes we provide transportation to events. By the way,

did you ever pay for a bus ticket to go to the East/West softball

game..??. that's another conference expense you never see. Yes, buses

are a major expense at conference. Conference committees look high and

low for " Lift " buses our use for the week. It is very hard to find

enough for our use for the week. If you go to any big city and take the

" city tour " you will have tourist prices to pay. Yes, we are a large

group and our money talks.... but if we want to see the sites of the

city, we still have to pay. I know in Orlando we're going to have many

major events at the hotel so there won't be a transportation cost.... but

yes you're going to pay $20-40 for event because there will be plenty of

decor, entertainment and food that make the experience worth it. Sitting

around in bar or at pool side everyday for 7 days gets real boring too.

Entertainment. Well, should we get high school bands and DJ's for the

week? Our experience tells us the better the music the more likely party

goers are to stay at the hotel and not hang in " the streets " . Yes, we

also need entertainment for the kids in the kids room.... sometimes those

activities cost a little money too. You don't see a cost related to

each night of dancing do you??? Yes, San Francisco is experiments with

some " speciality " rooms. I'm buying my Barty Pass.

Profit: Well let's break this down like Tim Deatherage did for me

once... First off conferences are always a financial gamble. What

happens if we rise to a security ORANGE alert just before San Francisco?

Will some of you stay home and not fly? What if we had another 9-11 type

attack just prior to Conference. I know in Toronto we were concerned

whether members would travel outside the country. There was also the SARS

epidemic. Also in Toronto we offered the High ticket item of the Theater

production of Lion King. $80 per ticket. Would our membership pay such

a high price for a single event. The committee had to block the tickets 6

months prior to conference. We held our breathe and said 100 tickets.

Well we could have easily sold 300. How did we know? and we certainly

would not have gambled like that 6 months ahead of time. So is a 10%

margin of error allowable ? 20% ??? If we have 1000 people at

conference and make a $10000 profit, then that's only a 10% margin ...

That's only a $10 per person margin... .. do you really think that's a

lot ???

And let me see.... Those that can't afford conference??? I believe last

year LPA supported in part 10 families to come to conference.. So we do

what we can . Many times some of the " complimentary rooms " the

committee as part of the contract, goes to Kitchen's recipients for their

" free room " . They don't all go to the hard working conference committee.

I agree we should try to work it so everybody all over the country can

get to a LPA conference every so often.... Why do you think we move the

conference around the country??? And as for the argument that " nobody "

will come.... well, the numbers coming to conference every year continues

to grow.... so we're doing something right.

In the words of the late Carol Mc, Harry's wife...

" one thing LPA does consistently right year after year, is throw a damn

good conference "

Marge Carlisle

2005 Conf. Chair-Orlando

[Guest guest]

Maybe Tricia Mason can answer this:

Isn't there state agencies that kick in also? Or is that for people

employed in certain agencies?

I thought remembered her posting about this a while ago.

> I find I have to weigh in on this discussion.

>

> I have chaired/co-chaired three national LPA conferences and will be

> chairing the Orlando Conference in 2005. I am very well aware of the

> concerns of making conferences as inexpensive as possible. And

know that

> we keep that as a concern for each and every event. But I don't

> guarantee Orlando will be much different than anywhere else. The

hotel

> rate is just under $100. For those of you who question why our

rates are

> more than others, let me remind you that the hotel rates also

include ALL

> THE MEETING AND BANQUET space that the hotel gives us. Nobody pays

an

> additional penny for the rooms that all the workshops, kids room,

> dances, and gatherings are in. Nobody pays an additional penny

for the

> hotel staffing that sets up and tears down the workshop room set up,

> Fashion Show, Talent show, and dance floors. Some groups may get

cheaper

> rates, but they don't use any meeting space. That's a big

difference.

> And , they don't need the steps, platforms, ramps etc. that we do .

> Reception costs.... if all you want is cold water... sure they can

be for

> free... don't ask for a microphone either...Matt has already

addressed

> some differences in " reception costs. "

>

> Food. Yes, when you go out to dinner at a non-fast food or family

place

> it can be a little costly. Add in the tax and tip and it is

expensive.

> Sure all of us go expensive at home once in a while. The problem

is how

> to do it for week at conference. I know MANY, MANY families bring

> coolers, find the local grocery store and have PB & J in their room

for

> lunch and cold cereal for breakfast. I didn't find the San Francisco

> prices for their " dine arounds " considering they include

transportation

> and a meal.

>

> Transportation. Yes we provide transportation to events. By the

way,

> did you ever pay for a bus ticket to go to the East/West softball

> game..??. that's another conference expense you never see. Yes,

buses

> are a major expense at conference. Conference committees look high

and

> low for " Lift " buses our use for the week. It is very hard to find

> enough for our use for the week. If you go to any big city and take

the

> " city tour " you will have tourist prices to pay. Yes, we are a

large

> group and our money talks.... but if we want to see the sites of the

> city, we still have to pay. I know in Orlando we're going to have

many

> major events at the hotel so there won't be a transportation

cost.... but

> yes you're going to pay $20-40 for event because there will be

plenty of

> decor, entertainment and food that make the experience worth it.

Sitting

> around in bar or at pool side everyday for 7 days gets real boring

too.

>

> Entertainment. Well, should we get high school bands and DJ's for

the

> week? Our experience tells us the better the music the more likely

party

> goers are to stay at the hotel and not hang in " the streets " .

Yes, we

> also need entertainment for the kids in the kids room.... sometimes

those

> activities cost a little money too. You don't see a cost related

to

> each night of dancing do you??? Yes, San Francisco is experiments

with

> some " speciality " rooms. I'm buying my Barty Pass.

>

> Profit: Well let's break this down like Tim Deatherage did for me

> once... First off conferences are always a financial gamble. What

> happens if we rise to a security ORANGE alert just before San

Francisco?

> Will some of you stay home and not fly? What if we had another 9-

11 type

> attack just prior to Conference. I know in Toronto we were

concerned

> whether members would travel outside the country. There was also

the SARS

> epidemic. Also in Toronto we offered the High ticket item of the

Theater

> production of Lion King. $80 per ticket. Would our membership pay

such

> a high price for a single event. The committee had to block the

tickets 6

> months prior to conference. We held our breathe and said 100

tickets.

> Well we could have easily sold 300. How did we know? and we

certainly

> would not have gambled like that 6 months ahead of time. So is a 10%

> margin of error allowable ? 20% ??? If we have 1000 people at

> conference and make a $10000 profit, then that's only a 10%

margin ...

> That's only a $10 per person margin... .. do you really think

that's a

> lot ???

>

> And let me see.... Those that can't afford conference??? I believe

last

> year LPA supported in part 10 families to come to conference.. So

we do

> what we can . Many times some of the " complimentary rooms " the

> committee as part of the contract, goes to Kitchen's recipients for

their

> " free room " . They don't all go to the hard working conference

committee.

> I agree we should try to work it so everybody all over the country

can

> get to a LPA conference every so often.... Why do you think we move

the

> conference around the country??? And as for the argument

that " nobody "

> will come.... well, the numbers coming to conference every year

continues

> to grow.... so we're doing something right.

>

> In the words of the late Carol Mc, Harry's wife...

> " one thing LPA does consistently right year after year, is throw a

damn

> good conference "

>

> Marge Carlisle

> 2005 Conf. Chair-Orlando

[Guest guest]

Hi thanks for the replies from Matt, Rob, and Marge on this matter.

I am on the conference planning committee for Milwaukee so I do

understand how costs can build up. I do think though that I have

every right to question something as important as this.

-

[Guest guest]

;

Your state Developmental Disability Council might offer scholarships to self-

advocates and parent/family members to attend conferences related to their

disability. Go to: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/add/states/ddcs.htm to

find the contact information for the Council in your state. I know Wyoming

offers these scholarships and many other states do, some do not. In Wyoming we

cover 100% of the conference cost to self-advocates and 50% to parents/family

members. The only way to know is to contact them!

-Tricia

From: " M " <petite_isla@y...>

Date: Mon Apr 5, 2004 6:51 pm

Subject: Re: Conference costs

Maybe Tricia Mason can answer this:

Isn't there state agencies that kick in also? Or is that for people

employed in certain agencies?

I thought remembered her posting about this a while ago.

[Guest guest]

It's interesting how many times the SLC Conference Committee was asked about the

profit from the Conference of 2002. Our goal was to break even (which we did)

and to make the conference affordable for families. Because of our goal of

affordability for families, we did extensive fundraising. Contrary to what Matt

Roloff stated about cost of receptions being added to registration cost - this

was not the case in SLC.

I believe SLC had 8 or more receptions - including 1 sit down dinner reception

all free to anyone who attended. Parents meetings were furnished with a

continental breakfast each morning.

I do feel the prices for the San Francisco Conference receptions are minimal and

we should not complain. I remember in Toronto paying $10.00 for a parent

reception, only to arrive on time and all the food was gone.

Beverly Wood

> Hello all,

> I have read the answers and I am still lost. I downloaded the

> registration packet and these tours were 30 to 60 bucks a person.

> The dine arounds are 30 to 40 bucks. I like going on tours to get

> out of the hotel and see the city I am in, I am not one of the lucky

> people to have a rental car so I am at the mercy of the tours. I'll

> be leaving the hotel to see SF ONCE. I am not even going to get

> into the hotel costs or how AGAIN we are not in downtown SF but in

> Burlingame. My thinking is that I am lucky I can go right now but I

> think of all the families who can not afford those prices. To me

> those are the families that should go! LPA conferences discriminate

> big time when it comes to economical differences. I believe that

> everyone should be able to go to at least one conference in their

> life. The prices I could understand if we were in DOWNTOWN SF but

> we are not. This year will be a huge price jump and I hope that you

> Matt and Rob know that these prices are scaring away people and

> preventing them from going. I HOPE that Orlando will not be as

> costly. I'd rather see a district NOT make a profit but benefit

> more people than make a profit but benefit less. Lastly couldn't

> the hike in membership help to sway the costs of some of the

> conference activities??

> -

>

>

>

>

> ===

>

[Guest guest]

Beverly, Can you send me the closing financial statement for SLC?

It's a major source of debate and discussion among the board for the

past 2 years and I'd like to have the actual facts. It appears that

National was never paid back it's $5,000 advance?? -- which indicates on

our financial report a loss as a result of SLC. As you know, ALL members

are effected by a financial loss at a national conference not just the

attendees. If this is NOT true I'd really like to know, so I can stop

any false accusations. Please forward me the final accounting report at

your earliest convenience so we can all have the facts and put to bed

any fiction regarding the SLC conference.

Thanks.

Matt

Re: Conference costs

It's interesting how many times the SLC Conference Committee was asked

about the profit from the Conference of 2002. Our goal was to break

even (which we did) and to make the conference affordable for families.

Because of our goal of affordability for families, we did extensive

fundraising. Contrary to what Matt Roloff stated about cost of

receptions being added to registration cost - this was not the case in

SLC.

I believe SLC had 8 or more receptions - including 1 sit down dinner

reception all free to anyone who attended. Parents meetings were

furnished with a continental breakfast each morning.

I do feel the prices for the San Francisco Conference receptions are

minimal and we should not complain. I remember in Toronto paying $10.00

for a parent reception, only to arrive on time and all the food was

gone.

Beverly Wood

> Hello all,

> I have read the answers and I am still lost. I downloaded the

> registration packet and these tours were 30 to 60 bucks a person.

> The dine arounds are 30 to 40 bucks. I like going on tours to get

> out of the hotel and see the city I am in, I am not one of the lucky

> people to have a rental car so I am at the mercy of the tours. I'll

> be leaving the hotel to see SF ONCE. I am not even going to get

> into the hotel costs or how AGAIN we are not in downtown SF but in

> Burlingame. My thinking is that I am lucky I can go right now but I

> think of all the families who can not afford those prices. To me

> those are the families that should go! LPA conferences discriminate

> big time when it comes to economical differences. I believe that

> everyone should be able to go to at least one conference in their

> life. The prices I could understand if we were in DOWNTOWN SF but

> we are not. This year will be a huge price jump and I hope that you

> Matt and Rob know that these prices are scaring away people and

> preventing them from going. I HOPE that Orlando will not be as

> costly. I'd rather see a district NOT make a profit but benefit

> more people than make a profit but benefit less. Lastly couldn't

> the hike in membership help to sway the costs of some of the

> conference activities??

> -

>

>

>

>

> ===

>

[Guest guest]

Matt,

Geez... I'm glad you wrote to the list serve or the SLC 2002 National Conference

Committee would have never known we were the topic of debate (for 2 years )about

the $5000 advance. No National LPA board member to my knowledge has ever

mentioned anything about this to our committee.

We have repeatedly sent our final report to national (early Fall 2002 and again

the Fall of 2003). We spent many hours working on the report with each

committee head offering helpful information to be passed along to other

conference committees. Were these reports not passed along to Boston, San

Francisco, Orlando or Milwaukee?

As members of the SLC conference committee, we are shocked by these false

accusation. Thank you for offering to clear up this misunderstanding. When all

the facts are in - we expect all present and former board members to be informed

(who had knowledge of this debated topic) and apology on the list serve.

If you are unable to find our Conference Committee report (including the

financial report) we would be more than happy to send it to you once again.

Our records show we were very timely in sending the " debated " $5000 check to

national. Check #1196 was sent on September 12, 2002.

Now I understand why we never received any acknowledgment or thanks from the

National LPA Board for the many months of hard work, expense and sacrifice our

chapter members spent to make the SLC National LPA Conference a success.

Best Regards,

Beverly Wood

> Beverly, Can you send me the closing financial statement for SLC?

> It's a major source of debate and discussion among the board for the

> past 2 years and I'd like to have the actual facts. It appears that

> National was never paid back it's $5,000 advance?? -- which indicates on

> our financial report a loss as a result of SLC. As you know, ALL members

> are effected by a financial loss at a national conference not just the

> attendees. If this is NOT true I'd really like to know, so I can stop

> any false accusations. Please forward me the final accounting report at

> your earliest convenience so we can all have the facts and put to bed

> any fiction regarding the SLC conference.

>

> Thanks.

> Matt

>

> Re: Conference costs

>

>

> It's interesting how many times the SLC Conference Committee was asked

> about the profit from the Conference of 2002. Our goal was to break

> even (which we did) and to make the conference affordable for families.

> Because of our goal of affordability for families, we did extensive

> fundraising. Contrary to what Matt Roloff stated about cost of

> receptions being added to registration cost - this was not the case in

> SLC.

>

> I believe SLC had 8 or more receptions - including 1 sit down dinner

> reception all free to anyone who attended. Parents meetings were

> furnished with a continental breakfast each morning.

>

> I do feel the prices for the San Francisco Conference receptions are

> minimal and we should not complain. I remember in Toronto paying $10.00

> for a parent reception, only to arrive on time and all the food was

> gone.

>

> Beverly Wood

>

> > Hello all,

> > I have read the answers and I am still lost. I downloaded the

> > registration packet and these tours were 30 to 60 bucks a person.

> > The dine arounds are 30 to 40 bucks. I like going on tours to get

> > out of the hotel and see the city I am in, I am not one of the lucky

> > people to have a rental car so I am at the mercy of the tours. I'll

> > be leaving the hotel to see SF ONCE. I am not even going to get

> > into the hotel costs or how AGAIN we are not in downtown SF but in

> > Burlingame. My thinking is that I am lucky I can go right now but I

> > think of all the families who can not afford those prices. To me

> > those are the families that should go! LPA conferences discriminate

> > big time when it comes to economical differences. I believe that

> > everyone should be able to go to at least one conference in their

> > life. The prices I could understand if we were in DOWNTOWN SF but

> > we are not. This year will be a huge price jump and I hope that you

> > Matt and Rob know that these prices are scaring away people and

> > preventing them from going. I HOPE that Orlando will not be as

> > costly. I'd rather see a district NOT make a profit but benefit

> > more people than make a profit but benefit less. Lastly couldn't

> > the hike in membership help to sway the costs of some of the

> > conference activities??

> > -

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ===

> >

[Guest guest]

Interesting...puts it in perspective. I'm gettting so excited since this is our first time there --- finally starting to pack! -Hadleyliz smith <liz_smith@...> wrote: Given the recent discussions regarding conference costs and the feelings of some that, as a non profit, the AF was charging too much, I decided to share the National Alopecia Areata Foundation’s conference costs with all

of you. For the NAAF conference, you pay by the person. Early Bird registration for the FIRST person was $155~~ IF that person has donated to NAAF in the previous 12 months. For a non-donor the Early Bird registration for the 1st person was $195. Regular registration for that same person was $235 for donors, $280 for non-donors. The cost for EACH additional person, age 5 and up, was $135 (That is per person!) So a family of 4, registering early, would pay $420 IF one of the children is under 5 and IF they have donated to the NAAF that year. Oh, and if you decide at the last minute to attend and want to register on site, the fees are unbelievable~~~ $500 for the first person and $200 for each additional person. The JA conference registration fee this year for a family of 4 was $175 for early bird, $200 for regular. Regular registration includes onsite registration. Not a bad deal at all when you start looking at other organizations! I’ll jump down off my soapbox now, Liz

[Guest guest]

I understand that the AF may not have the same clout as the.National Federation of the Blind does in obtaining these kind of rates for their mambers to attend a conference.As a memver of the NFB myself as well as onther members, greatly appreaciate the Undaunting efforts of the organizers who put it all togethuer, so that even thos with limited income have a greater chance of being able to afford to attend,

Indeed it does ttake a bit of searching to find these affordable

accomidation. while also insuring the available conference room apacing needed. Though these are not luxury resorts. they are howeververy comfortable lodgings.

hplta

Rusty

Hotel Rates and Information:This year we are returning to Atlanta and the beautiful Marriott Marquis Hotel, site of the 1999, 2000, and 2004 conventions. Hotel rates are singles, doubles, and twins, $61; and triples and quads, $66. In addition there will be a fifteen percent room tax. The hotel is accepting reservations now. A $60-per-room deposit or a credit card number is required to make a reservation. Fifty percent of the deposit will be refunded if notice is given to the hotel of a reservation cancellation before June 1, 2007. The other 50 percent is not refundable.

The Marquis is a beautiful, fifty-story atrium hotel with a panoramic view of this bustling city in the heart of the New South. It is twelve miles north of the Atlanta-Hartsfield International Airport. Those driving to the convention will find the hotel conveniently located off Interstate 85, by taking Exit 96, International Boulevard, turning left onto International Boulevard, going to Peachtree Center Avenue, and turning right. The hotel is on the right in the second block. The Marriott has several excellent restaurants. The hotel is currently undergoing renovations that will result in some alteration in the configuration of these. We will report on the changes as the convention draws near. It still features indoor and outdoor pools, a solarium, health club, whirlpool, and sauna. Guest-room amenities include cable television, coffee pot, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, and dataport.

For further information, please see the April 2007 Braille Monitor <http://www.nfb.org/Images/nfb/Publications/bm/bm07/bm0704/bm070403.htm>.Additional Hotel Accommodations:

Additional rooms are available at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel. The hotel is located at 165 Courtland Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. Call (800) 833-8624 for reservations. The hotel rates are the same: singles, doubles, and twins, $61; and triples and quads, $66. A $60-per-room deposit or a credit card number is required to make a reservation. The deposit is not refundable. The Sheraton Atlanta Hotel phone number is (404) 586-3378. Remember to make your hotel reservations early. There are a limited number of rooms at both the Marriott Marquis and Sheraton Atlanta hotels.Registration Information:

Pre-registration has now closed. Registration activities take place in Imperial Ballroom Salon B on the Marquis Level beginning at 9:00 am on Sunday, July 1, and at 8:30 am on Monday, July 2; Tuesday through Friday registration will take place in the Marquis Foyer. The fee for registration at convention is $20 per person, and all those attending the convention (both local and out-of-town people) are asked to register. Convention registration is a requirement for door prize eligibility and a number of other convention activities. We condition rates for hotel rooms on proof of registration, including the

[Guest guest]

I understand that the AF may not have the same clout as the.National Federation of the Blind does in obtaining these kind of rates for their mambers to attend a conference.As a memver of the NFB myself as well as onther members, greatly appreaciate the Undaunting efforts of the organizers who put it all togethuer, so that even thos with limited income have a greater chance of being able to afford to attend,

Indeed it does ttake a bit of searching to find these affordable

accomidation. while also insuring the available conference room apacing needed. Though these are not luxury resorts. they are howeververy comfortable lodgings.

hplta

Rusty

Hotel Rates and Information:This year we are returning to Atlanta and the beautiful Marriott Marquis Hotel, site of the 1999, 2000, and 2004 conventions. Hotel rates are singles, doubles, and twins, $61; and triples and quads, $66. In addition there will be a fifteen percent room tax. The hotel is accepting reservations now. A $60-per-room deposit or a credit card number is required to make a reservation. Fifty percent of the deposit will be refunded if notice is given to the hotel of a reservation cancellation before June 1, 2007. The other 50 percent is not refundable.

The Marquis is a beautiful, fifty-story atrium hotel with a panoramic view of this bustling city in the heart of the New South. It is twelve miles north of the Atlanta-Hartsfield International Airport. Those driving to the convention will find the hotel conveniently located off Interstate 85, by taking Exit 96, International Boulevard, turning left onto International Boulevard, going to Peachtree Center Avenue, and turning right. The hotel is on the right in the second block. The Marriott has several excellent restaurants. The hotel is currently undergoing renovations that will result in some alteration in the configuration of these. We will report on the changes as the convention draws near. It still features indoor and outdoor pools, a solarium, health club, whirlpool, and sauna. Guest-room amenities include cable television, coffee pot, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, and dataport.

For further information, please see the April 2007 Braille Monitor <http://www.nfb.org/Images/nfb/Publications/bm/bm07/bm0704/bm070403.htm>.Additional Hotel Accommodations:

Additional rooms are available at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel. The hotel is located at 165 Courtland Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. Call (800) 833-8624 for reservations. The hotel rates are the same: singles, doubles, and twins, $61; and triples and quads, $66. A $60-per-room deposit or a credit card number is required to make a reservation. The deposit is not refundable. The Sheraton Atlanta Hotel phone number is (404) 586-3378. Remember to make your hotel reservations early. There are a limited number of rooms at both the Marriott Marquis and Sheraton Atlanta hotels.Registration Information:

Pre-registration has now closed. Registration activities take place in Imperial Ballroom Salon B on the Marquis Level beginning at 9:00 am on Sunday, July 1, and at 8:30 am on Monday, July 2; Tuesday through Friday registration will take place in the Marquis Foyer. The fee for registration at convention is $20 per person, and all those attending the convention (both local and out-of-town people) are asked to register. Convention registration is a requirement for door prize eligibility and a number of other convention activities. We condition rates for hotel rooms on proof of registration, including the

[Guest guest]

after some thought I have come to the conclusion I would like to start a non for profit that would help send children and their families to camp and/or conferences. I have even thought about not being arthritis inclusive but rather any chronic illness to which there are already existing camps and conferences. In the very near future I will begin researching exactly what would be involved and if this indeed feasible for me.............

DonnaSee what's free at AOL.com.

[Guest guest]

Hey Rusty, So glad to "see you here". Hope all is going well for you. And hey, that is my kind of hotel! Glad to see you here and wishing you fun filled, pain free days. e, mom to "joe" 20 poly +"dam755@..." <dam755@...> wrote: I understand that the AF may not have the same clout as the.National Federation of the Blind does in obtaining these kind of rates for their mambers to

attend a conference.As a memver of the NFB myself as well as onther members, greatly appreaciate the Undaunting efforts of the organizers who put it all togethuer, so that even thos with limited income have a greater chance of being able to afford to attend, Indeed it does ttake a bit of searching to find these affordable accomidation. while also insuring the available conference room apacing needed. Though these are not luxury resorts. they are howeververy comfortable lodgings. hplta Rusty Hotel Rates and Information:This year we are returning to Atlanta and the beautiful Marriott Marquis Hotel, site of the 1999,

2000, and 2004 conventions. Hotel rates are singles, doubles, and twins, $61; and triples and quads, $66. In addition there will be a fifteen percent room tax. The hotel is accepting reservations now. A $60-per-room deposit or a credit card number is required to make a reservation. Fifty percent of the deposit will be refunded if notice is given to the hotel of a reservation cancellation before June 1, 2007. The other 50 percent is not refundable. The Marquis is a beautiful, fifty-story atrium hotel with a panoramic view of this bustling city in the heart of the New South. It is twelve miles north of the Atlanta-Hartsfield International Airport. Those driving to the convention will find the hotel conveniently located off Interstate 85, by taking Exit 96, International Boulevard, turning left onto International Boulevard, going to Peachtree

Center Avenue, and turning right. The hotel is on the right in the second block. The Marriott has several excellent restaurants. The hotel is currently undergoing renovations that will result in some alteration in the configuration of these. We will report on the changes as the convention draws near. It still features indoor and outdoor pools, a solarium, health club, whirlpool, and sauna. Guest-room amenities include cable television, coffee pot, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, and dataport. For further information, please see the April 2007 Braille Monitor <http://www.nfb.org/Images/nfb/Publications/bm/bm07/bm0704/bm070403.htm>.Additional Hotel Accommodations: Additional rooms are available at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel. The hotel is located at 165 Courtland Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. Call (800)

833-8624 for reservations. The hotel rates are the same: singles, doubles, and twins, $61; and triples and quads, $66. A $60-per-room deposit or a credit card number is required to make a reservation. The deposit is not refundable. The Sheraton Atlanta Hotel phone number is (404) 586-3378. Remember to make your hotel reservations early. There are a limited number of rooms at both the Marriott Marquis and Sheraton Atlanta hotels.Registration Information: Pre-registration has now closed. Registration activities take place in Imperial Ballroom Salon B on the Marquis Level beginning at 9:00 am on Sunday, July 1, and at 8:30 am on Monday, July 2; Tuesday through Friday registration will take place in the Marquis Foyer. The fee for registration at convention is $20 per person, and all those attending the convention (both local

and out-of-town people) are asked to register. Convention registration is a requirement for door prize eligibility and a number of other convention activities. We condition rates for hotel rooms on proof of registration, including the

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