This information will be coming to you shortly, if you haven't seen it already.  As Chair of the Region 4 Hospitality Committee working to help you get the information and encouragement needed to attend the USDF annual meeting and symposium this year, I met with the new marketing director at USDF, Linda Schultz, recently.  A former dressage instructor (seen leaving the building Friday night in breeches to go ride after work!), Linda understands the educational, networking, and celebration value of the USDF annual meeting.  She has some great stuff planned for the participant packets and if you want to volunteer at the meeting or symposium, there are goodies for you, too, to say 'thanks' for your time and effort!

 

Becky Hafner from the Region 4 committee had asked for reduced rates for youth, to encourage their participation in the meeting, and I'm pleased to see they were incorporated into the overall rate structure, while still keeping overall costs as low as possible.

 

The 2006 costs are:

                                           Non-member        Adult Member        Youth Member

Convention & Symposium           $479                   $431                      $383

Convention                                 $285                   $257                     $228

Symposium                               $314                   $283                      $251

Business meetings                     $110                   $99                       $88

 

There is also a 20% advanced registration discount if you register for the meeting on or before November 5.  You can register on-line at www.usdf.org or by fax.  A registration form is being distributed in the September issue of USDF Connection.

 

I know when I called to reserve my room at the Westin, the gentleman I talked to at first had difficulty finding the USDF block of rooms.  They ARE there!  If you run into this, just be persistent and encourage the reservations agent to keep looking.

 

There is a huge football event taking place in Kansas City that weekend, so please make your airline and hotel reservations early.  This promises to be an excellent convention and much better if you are there, too!

 

If our hospitality committee can help greet someone new to the convention or help you find something you need in Kansas City, please let me know!  We are there to help make this a great convention and symposium for you.

 

Cheers,

 

Sarah