CONFERENCE FREQUENTLY ASKED CONFERENCE QUESTIONS

Information subject to change

• What does my Conference Registration Include?
• How do I register?
• Where should I stay?
• Where can I park and how much will it cost?
• How do I get to the Conference Hotel?
• What should I wear?
• Do I need to check-in with the Conference once in Springfield?
• Where are Conference sessions and events held?
• What are the Conference Registration fees?
• Can IGFOA invoice me for the Conference fees?
• Can I pay a partial fee if I am just attending for one day?
• What if I need to cancel?
• Can I bring my family and friends?
• How many Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits can I earn at the Conference?
• How can I help at the Conference?
• I would like to speak at one of the Conference sessions
• Can my firm help by sponsoring a Conference event?
• Can my firm exhibit during the Conference?
• Will IGFOA address requests for accommodation or special dietary needs?
• Can government finance officers from other states attend?
• Why don't my membership dues cover Conference Registration?
• Need more information?

What does my Conference Registration Include?

Conference Registration includes admittance to Conference sessions Sunday, September 12 through Tuesday, September 14, 2010, the IGFOA Annual Business Meeting, and the Vendor Showcase.  Registration also includes the following meals and social events:

The following event requires separate registration and payment:

• Sunday, September 12: Conference Golf Outing at the Lincolnshire Fields Country Club, 2000 Byrnebruk Drive, Champaign, Illinois.   Conference Golf Outing on-line registration form
• For the complete schedule visit the Conference Overview.  (Conference registrants receive preference in signing-up for the Golf Outing).

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, 1501 S. Neil Street, Champaign, phone 217-352-9970. Please visit the Conference Overview for overflow hotels.

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Where can I park and how much will it cost?

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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?

Each registered Conference attendee must check-in at the Conference Registration Desk at the Hilton Garden Inn, Champaign.  The Conference Registration Desk will be open on Sunday, September 12 from 3:00 to 7:00 pm and Monday, September 13 from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm at the Hilton Garden Inn, Champaign. 

All payments must be received prior to the Conference.  No admittance 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, unless noted in the program.  Unless otherwise noted below, all Conference events and meals will also be held at the Hilton Garden Inn.

• Sunday, September 12, Conference Golf Outing at Lincolnshire Fields Country Club, 2000 Byrnebruk Drive, Champaign, Illinois 61822 to enjoy an 18 hole round of golf and support the Eastern Illinois Food Bank. The golf outing is a shotgun start, beginning at 10:30 AM, with registration beginning at 10:00 AM. Directions and more information about the course can be found at The Lincolnshire Fields Country Club . 

• Monday, September 13, Taste of Champaign, downtown Champaign - refer to Conference Overview. 

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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:

• GOLF OUTING -- $87 for members attending the Conference through July 31, 2010, $97 for members after July 31, 2010. The fee for non-members attending the Conference is $115. The fee for individuals not attending the conference is $155.

• IGFOA ANNUAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION -- Member fee is $275 through July 31, after which rates increase. Refer to Conference Overview for a complete list of fees.

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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 13, 2010 will be charged a $40.00 handling fee.  No refunds will be issued for cancellations after August 13, 2010 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?
Champaign is a great place for family and friends to join you in a variety of adventures or sightseeing activities.  Check out http://www.visitchampaigncounty.org/ for lots of things to do in Springfield.  Conference registrants may register guests and family who wish to join us in Champaign 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.

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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 2011 Annual Conference, please forward your suggestion to the IGFOA office. 

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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 Eastern Illinois Food Bank.  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. 2010 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 815-752-8941 (phone), or the IGFOA office (email) to indicate any special needs you may have no later than August, 27, 2010.  If you have special needs regarding hotel accommodations, please contact the hotel directly -- see Where Should I Stay.  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 August, 27, 2010.

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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 815-752-8941.  IGFOA can also be reached via e-mail at the IGFOA office (email), or mail at IGFOA, NIU Naperville, 1120 E. Diehl Rd., Naperville, IL 60563.

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