Dead line for national conference registration extended

Dear AAFCS Leaders,

There are only six weeks left until the exciting AAFCS 101st Annual Conference & Expo in Cleveland! We are really looking forward to seeing many of you next month to celebrate a “New Century for FCS” and the new AAFCS brand. If you have not yet registered, you’ll be happy to know we’re extending the Advance registration deadline from May 15 to June 1. Don’t let this conference pass you by!

Please share the following information with your members, colleagues, and friends:

* Registration: Early-Bird registration has passed, but there is still time to register at the Advance registration rate (extended until June 1, 2010!). Professional/Emeritus members pay $465, nonmembers pay $559, and students pay $140. From June 2 through June 11, the online system will be open for registration at the on-site rate. Registrations at the on-site rate will also be accepted by phone or fax until June 11, but no mail-ins postmarked after June 1 will be processed prior to the conference.
* Meal Function Tickets: The deadline to buy meal function tickets is being extended to June 11 for purchases made online, by fax, or by phone and to June 1 for purchases made by mail (must be postmarked by June 1).
* Hotels: Reserve your hotel room quickly if you have not already done so. The Renaissance Cleveland Hotel is full, but the Marriott Cleveland Downtown still has rooms available. To make a reservation, please visit www.aafcs.org/meetings/10/hotels.html. If you are interested in sharing a hotel room or carpooling with another attendee, we have set up a special site called “Conference Connection” in the Community Portal http://webportal.aafcs.org:8080/default.aspx. On the discussion board, you can list what you are looking for (i.e., roommate, ride, networking, etc.) and hopefully find another attendee who can help you.
* Pacesetter Dinner - Saturday evening: At this semi-formal ticketed event (must purchase ticket in advance), there will be live music, an elegant dinner, and recognition of Distinguished Service Awardees, Leaders, New Achievers, and 50-year members. This is a great time to cap off the conference with colleagues and newly made friends.
* Excursions: The Ohio Local Arrangements Committee has put together a super selection of educational excursions on Wednesday, June 23. Reservations are requested by May 15. For those of you who have afternoon meetings on Wednesday, “Lolley the Trolley” is available in the morning. Visit www.aafcs.org/res/10_AC/tour_reg_2010.doc for more information.
* Bring your walking shoes. If you are staying at the Marriott, you will have a block or two to walk for events at the Renaissance each day. We advise you to wear comfortable shoes.

With this publicity notice, we are providing you with an updated one-page flyer and fact sheet and half-page speaker article. All promotional items can be found on one page in the Annual Conference section of the website at www.aafcs.org/meetings/10/ACtools.html. These items can be used in your newsletter, on your website, or in other communications.

We also ask you to review the list of conference registrants and personally invite your colleagues to come. Be sure to let them know about the extended registration and meal function ticket deadlines.

I invite you to check out the Annual Conference Blog to share information and answer questions about the conference at http://aafcsconference.wordpress.com or to contact me at sturinikent@aol.com if you have any questions regarding the conference.

We thank you for your help in making this a successful event!

See you soon,

Sharon Turini-Kent
Annual Conference Planning Committee Chair