CONFERENCE FREQUENTLY ASKED CONFERENCE QUESTIONS

CONFERENCE OVERVIEW

Information subject to change

 

What does my Conference Registration Include?

Conference Registration includes admittance to Conference sessions Sunday, September 7 through Tuesday, September 9, 2008, the IGFOA Annual Business Meeting, and the Vendor Showcase.  Registration also includes the following meals and social events:

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

Football game and tailgate

(additional fee)

Golf Outing

(additional fee)

Keynote Breakfast
Continental Breakfast
 

Kickoff Party
in the Vendor Showcase

5oth Anniversary Luncheon
Keynote Brunch
   
Dueling Pianos and Dinner

Please refer to Registration form for specifics

                                                           

The following events require separate registration and payment as listed in the registration form:

  • Saturday, September 6: IGFOA Tailgate Party and Football Game: U of I vs. Eastern Illinois University
  • Sunday, September 7: Conference Golf Outing at Ironhorse Golf Club in Tuscola, Illinois

Conference registrants receive preference in signing-up for the Football Game and Tailgate Party and/or the Golf Outing.

For the complete schedule visit the Conference Overview.

Nametags are required for admittance to all Conference sessions, meals, and activities. Some activities may require separate tickets.  Nametags and tickets will be provided at Conference check-in.

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How do I register?

Go to IGFOA Conference On-line Registration.  On-line registrants will receive an automatic confirmation.

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Where should I stay?

Conference accommodations are available at the Hilton Garden Inn Champaign/Urbana.

Room Rate:  $99.00 per night

Register on-line by August 14, 2008 to receive the $99.00 room rate. The Group Code is Illinois GFOA Annual Conference

Overflow accommodations are available at Hawthorn Suites - located about 1 block from the Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center – reserve a room by calling 217-398-3400 and asking for the IGFOA group rate.
Located at 101 Trade Centre Drive, Champaign, Illinois

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Where can I park and how much will it cost?

Conference attendees staying at the Hilton Garden Inn Champaign/Urbana or Hawthorne Suites may park in the lots adjacent to the hotel at no charge.  Registered guests attending the U of I football game with IGFOA on September 6th may also park in the hotel lots at no additional charge.

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How do I get to Champaign/Urbana?

Directions to Champaign/Urbana

Visitors' information

   

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What should I wear?

Business casual attire is appropriate for all Conference sessions and events.

 

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Do I need to check-in with the Conference once in Champaign/Urbana?

Each registered Conference attendee and walk-ins must check-in at the Conference Registration Desk.  The Conference Registration Desk will be open on Sunday, September 7 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Monday, September 8 from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM at the Hilton Garden Inn Champaign/Urbana.  All payments must be received prior to the Conference.  No admittance to Conference without pre-payment.

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Where are Conference sessions and events held?

All Conference sessions will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn Champaign/Urbana, unless noted in the program. Unless otherwise noted below, all Conference events and meals will also be held at the Hilton.

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What are the Conference Registration fees?

Rates for IGFOA Members are shown.  Refer to registration form for more details and later rates:

  • *FOOTBALL GAME TICKETS AND TAILGATE PARTY*- Saturday, September 6, 2008.  Member fee $75.00 and non-member fee $105
  • GOLF OUTING -- $75 for members attending the Conference through August 29, 2008, $85 for members after August 29, 2008. the fee for non-members attending the Conference is $95.
  • IGFOA ANNUAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION -- Member fee id $275 through July 11, after which rates increase. Refer to Conference Overview for a complete list of fees.

*Limited availability – early registration encouraged

  

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Can IGFOA invoice me for the Conference fees?

All payments must be received prior to the Conference.  No admittance to Conference without pre-payment. Your e-mail confirmation serves as your invoice or print your registration form before submitting on-line to serve as an invoice.

     

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Can I pay a partial fee if I am just attending for one day?

Individuals must pay the full conference fee even if they are only attending part of the Conference. A name badge is required for admittance to all sessions, exhibits, and events.

   

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What if I need to cancel?

Cancellations for Conference registration prior to August 22, 2008 will be charged a $40.00 handling fee.  No refunds will be issued for cancellations after August 22, 2008 or for no-shows. Substitutions may be made at any time with advance notification.

 

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Can I bring my family and friends?
The Champaign/Urbana area is a great place for family and friends to join you in a variety of adventures or sightseeing activities.  Check out www.visitchampaigncounty.org for lots of things to do.  Conference registrants may register guests and family who wish to join us in Champaign/Urbana but who will not be participating in Conference educational sessions, professional networking, or the vendor showcase, by contacting info@igfoa.org.   Government finance staff, public finance professionals, and service providers that serve the public sector are not eligible for guest registration.

Registered for the Conference but wish to purchase football tickets for FAMILY MEMBERS; Click here

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How many Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits can I earn at the Conference?

By attending on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday registrants can earn 9 CPE credits during the Conference. In order to receive credit, each attendee must sign the CPE form at registration and complete and remit a CPE attendance ticket at each session. Please refer to the Conference Program for specific CPE credits for each session.  CPE Certificates will be mailed to each attendee completing the CPE attendance form, no later than November 30, 2008.

  

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How can I help at the Conference?

We rely heavily on volunteers to make the conference run smoothly and keep conference costs low. Volunteers are needed to assist with greeting and directing attendees, staffing the registration desk, setting up for special events, and tear down. Volunteers are also needed to help stuff attendees’ registration packets a couple of weeks before the conference. Call IGFOA at 630-505-0679 or email the IGFOA office for an assignment.

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I would like to speak at one of the Conference sessions

IGFOA begins planning the program for the Annual Conference at least one year in advance. The Conference Program Committee meets in January or February each year to finalize the program topics and sessions for that year’s conference.  Session specific agendas are developed and the Conference Program Committee volunteers recruit and select speakers for each session. If you have an idea or program to propose for the 2009 Annual Conference, please forward your suggestion to the IGFOA office. 

 

Can my firm help by sponsoring a Conference event?

IGFOA does not seek sponsors for the Annual Conference on a separate occasion.  Rather, associates wishing to serve as Conference Sponsors may select that option as part of their annual dues.  For more information on adding sponsorship to your dues, please call IGFOA at 815-752-8941. Click here for Sponsoring Firm membership form. This year, we are also seeking donations to benefit the Make-a-Wish foundation.  For more information visit Conference Overview.

 

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Can my firm exhibit during the Conference?

The conference includes a vendor showcase featuring firms offering government finance related products and services. You are invited to exhibit on a space available basis. 2008 Vendor Showcase applications will be accepted on a first in/first paid basis. Applicants that cannot be accommodated within the allotment of exhibit booths will be placed on a wait list.  For more information visit Conference Overview.

  

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Will IGFOA address requests for accommodation or special dietary needs?

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the IGFOA Conference Committee will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please contact IGFOA at 630-505-0679 (phone), or the IGFOA office (email) or 630-505-0689 (fax) to indicate any special needs you may have no later than August 22, 2008.  If you have special needs regarding hotel accommodations, please contact the hotel directly -- see Where Should I Stay or phone 217-352-9970.  Persons with special dietary needs should so indicate on the registration form or may make arrangements by calling IGFOA at 815-752-8941 no later than September 1, 2008.

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Can government finance officers from other states attend?

Government finance officers that are members of another state GFOA and employees of a governmental unit in a neighboring state are welcome to attend the IGFOA Conference at the Member rate. Contact IGFOA for details.

  

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Do my membership dues include conference registration?

No. Membership dues are used to defray the costs of member newsletters, web site, committee and chapter support, and seminar/conference planning. Conference registration fees are set to cover the cost of educational programs and meals.

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Need more information?

Call IGFOA at 630-505-0679.  IGFOA can also be reached via fax at 630-505-0689, e-mail at the IGFOA office (email), or mail at IGFOA, NIU Naperville, 1120 E. Diehl Rd., Naperville, IL 60563.

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