We Are NOT Going to Hawaii!

The 2012 ALA Educational Conference and Exposition will be held April 23-26, 2012. It is being held in Honolulu, the second safest city in the United States. It is a cultural center and a prominent location for both business meetings and conferences each year. Yes, Honolulu is on the island of Oahu and the state of Hawaii. Yes, it is one of the most beautiful locations in the world.

But, as the Hawaiians say: "We can't help we're beautiful."

Now is the time to start talking with your partners about your attendance at the Annual Conference. Many firms support their administrators' participation in and involvement with our organization. And this year should be no different. When talking with your partners don't tell them you're going to Hawaii, which brings to mind hula dancers and beverages with little umbrellas. The conference is in HONOLULU a city of more than 500,000 people, a center for health, wellness, technology, international relations, Pacific Rim cultures and international trade.

To offest the additional cost of flying from Austin to Honolulu (average price with advance purchase is about $800) you can register by August 31, 2011 for the SUPER EARLY BIRD price of only $595. That's right, $595. That is $400 off the price of the full registration fee and includes a ticket to both the Welcome Reception and the Grand Finale event.

Additionally, ALA has worked out a great deal with the Hilton Hawaiian Village for rooms at $199 per night, with the rate extended to 3 days before the conference and 3 days after should you wish to take some extra days to experience the Spirit of Aloha. As you can see from the chart below, this is the lowest hotel rate at an Annual Conference in five years.

Keep your eyes out for more information about the Conference and more help for "getting the okay to go" in further communications from our Chapter. See below - you really can afford to go!

Year          Location       Early Bird   Full Reg   Hotel*   Avg Flights*   Total*
2008          Seattle               $715           $870        $220          $375          $1,970
2009          New Orleans     $730           $885        $215          $375          $1,965
2010          Boston               $730           $885        $225          $425          $2,055
2011          Orlando             $795           $945        $229          $400          $2,111
2012          Honolulu            $595           $945        $199          $800          $2,191

It's time to Ignite Your Future.....Renew Your Spirit in HONOLULU!

Convention Center in Honolulu

*The hotel cost is the lowest cost room at ALA's negotiated rate and does not include sales tax, the average flights is the average cost from Austin to the destination at discounted (1+ stops rate), the Total assumes a 4-night hotel stay, early bird registration and an advance-purchase average flight.

Reprinted, in part, with permission from Veronica Tiedt and the Nutmeg Chapter.