Preconference Annual Business Meeting for State Directors of Special Education
State directors or their designees should note that NASDSE’s annual business meeting will begin with lunch at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 17th. NASDSE’s Board of Directors urges all state directors to plan to arrive in time to attend this important meeting. In addition to NASDSE President Mary Watson and Executive Director Bill East’s state-of-the-organization report and nominations for NASDSE officers and board of directors, there will be a closed-door discussion for state directors on issues of concern to the membership and an opportunity to discuss NASDSE’s new proposed strategic plan. This session provides a rare opportunity for state directors to meet alone with their peers.
Sponsor Showcases
At the conclusion of the business meeting at 4:00 p.m., all conference attendees will have an opportunity to attend mini-sessions hosted by NASDSE’s conference sponsors to learn more about the opportunities that they can provide for states. As an added bonus, participants who attend the sponsor showcases will be eligible for special door prizes.
Utah/Wyoming State Night
Conference participants will head to The Depot, a historic attraction located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City for a glimpse of Utah’s railroad history. The evening will start with a tour of the Great Hall, Salt Lake City’s original train station. Guests will then enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a beautiful view from the Blue Goose Lounge and then head to the main Music Venue for a buffet dinner featuring local favorite dishes. Finish off the evening by dancing your way through the decades. For those guests who are truly into the Utah and Wyoming spirit, we invite you to put on your best flapper dress or bowler hat and come dressed in attire from the ‘20s to the ‘40s. For those guests who are a little more contemporary, dress is business casual.
Installation of Officers, Awards Ceremony and President’s Reception
The installation of the new NASDSE Board of Directors and the presentation of NASDSE’s annual awards are a highlight of the conference. It is at this time that NASDSE honors outstanding individuals for their work on behalf of individuals with disabilities with presentations of
• The R. Elwood Pace Humanitarian Award, presented to an individual who engages in services or activities of a humanitarian nature that exceed his/her professional responsibilities;
• The Martha J. Fields Award of Excellence, presented to an individual or organization who has made extraordinary contributions in helping NASDSE realize its mission and goals; and
• The Heritage Award, presented to an individual for significant service and contributions to NASDSE and to the field of special education.
The installation and the President’s Reception will take place in the spectacular outdoor Gallivan Amphitheater in downtown Salt Lake City, just a few steps from the conference hotel.
NASDSE’S Silent Auction Tradition
NASDSE’s Silent Auction tradition lives on! We encourage conference attendees to donate an auction item representing their state. Donations may be brought to the Silent Auction desk beginning Saturday (11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) through Sunday morning (7:45 to 10:30 a.m.). The auction will take place from Sunday morning through Monday morning in the pre-function area of the second floor. The auction is always fun and is a great source of gifts and mementos to take home. Start thinking now about a great idea for a donation that represents your state! And be sure to leave room in your suitcase to take home that special item that you plan to bid on!
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
The special early bird conference registration rate is $475 and is available through Friday, October 2nd. To qualify for this rate, a complete conference registration form and check, purchase order (original or copy) or credit card information must be received by October 2nd. The regular and on-site registration rate of $535 takes effect on October 3rd. The registration fee includes conference materials and all conference events. Registration forms accompanied by checks (made payable to NASDSE) or an official purchase order mailed to:
NASDSE Annual Conference
c/o Linder & Associates, Inc.
2150 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20007
Purchase orders may also be faxed to (202) 298-6974.
If paying by credit card (Visa or MasterCard only), you may register by mail, by fax, or online at www.nasdse.org/09slc/registration.
Guest Tickets
Guest tickets for individual evening activities are available for purchase by conference attendees if purchased prior to Friday, October 2nd. After this date, only a limited number of tickets are expected to be available. Guest tickets for State Night are $80 if purchased by October 2nd and will be $100 after that date. Guest tickets for the President’s Reception are $50 if purchased by October 2nd and will be $75 after that date.
Cancellations
A $100 processing fee will be imposed for cancellations made after October 2nd. Cancellations after October 10th will be subject to additional meal charges. Cancellation notices must be submitted directly to nasdse@linderassociates.com or faxed to (202) 298-6974.
SALT LAKE CITY ACCOMMODATIONS
The conference hotel, the Marriott City Center, is located at 220 South State Street in Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111. The hotel’s website is http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/slccc-salt-lake-city-marriott-city-center/. NASDSE has reserved a block of rooms for conference participants at the special conference rate of $145 per night, plus applicable taxes. Conference participants are responsible for making their own accommodations arrangements. Reservations can be made by calling (800) 266-9432 or by registering online at https://resweb.passkey.com/go/nasdse. If you are making your reservations by phone, please identify yourself as part of the NASDSE conference in order to qualify for the special group rate. These special conference rates are available from October 15-21 so that conference attendees may arrive early or extend their stays. To ensure you receive the conference rate, make your reservations BEFORE Tuesday, September 15th. Reservations made after Tuesday, September 15th will be confirmed on a space and rate available basis. Also, please advise the hotel staff at that time of any special room requirements you may have.
CONFERENCE ATTIRE
Daytime attire for the conference will be ‘business casual.’ The temperature in October in Salt Lake City can range between 48° and 63° F. State Night dress is creative – pick the era of music from the ‘20s to the ‘40s (or beyond) that suits your nature and dress accordingly. Dress for the Installation Awards Ceremony and President’s Reception is more formal (men should plan on wearing a tie).
TRANSPORTATION
Airport
Salt Lake City International Airport (Airport Code – SLC) is located approximately four miles from the Marriott City Center hotel. Information about the airport can be found at http://www.slcairport.com.
Transfers to/from the Airport
The hotel does not provide shuttle service, but recommends Express Shuttle. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (800) 397-0773. Credit cards can only be used if reservations are made using the toll-free number. Representatives at the Ground Transportation desk at the airport, or at the Bell desk at the hotel can also make reservation on your behalf. The cost for a one-way shuttle is approximately $8. Gratuity is not included and is at your discretion.
Local transportation - TRAX
TRAX is Salt Lake City’s light rail public transportation system. The Marriott City Center hotel is located just a short walk away from the Gallivan Plaza Transfer Station. TRAX is free within the downtown area of Salt Lake City. Please visit http://www.rideuta.com/ for more information.
Car Rental
The airport hosts many car rental companies available to guests. Information is available at http://www.slcairport.com/rental_cars.html. Thrifty Car Rental has offered the following discounts for NASDSE Conference attendees: Rent any vehicle and receive 5% off of the lowest rate available at time of booking. To book a rental, just mention or type in Promotion Code DISC in the promotion # field when booking online at http://www.thrifty.com/ or by calling (800) THRIFTY to get your discount.
OR rent any vehicle from Thrifty Car Rental for at least five consecutive days and receive the 6th consecutive day free, time and mileage charges only. To book a rental, just mention or type in Promotion Code TRVL in the promotion # field when booking online at www.thrifty.com or calling (800) THRIFTY to get your discount.
CONFERENCE SPONSORS
NASDSE would like to thank its corporate sponsors for their support of the conference and their ongoing work with NASDSE throughout the year. We encourage you to take the opportunity to meet with them at the Sponsor Showcases or during the networking breaks. This year’s corporate sponsors include:
• Accelify
• Cambium Learning
• Caring Technologies, Inc.
• Computer Automation Systems, Inc.
• CORE Education and Consulting Solutions
• Frameweld, LLC
• Hupp Information Technologies
• IBM Cognos Software
• Leader Services
• LRP Publications
• MAXIMUS
• MicroScribe Publishing, Inc.
• PCI Education
• Pearson
• Psychological Software Solutions
• Public Consulting Group
• Read Naturally
• Riverside Publishing
• RTI Action Network
• Scholastic Inc.
• Spectrum K12 School Solutions, Inc.
• TACS – Rendezvous
• Teachers-Teachers.com
• thereNow, LLC
You can find links to all of our corporate sponsors on NASDSE’s website.
Questions?
202-459-0860 |