Q.  What are the highlights of NECTFL 2008?
A.  Here are a few:

• More than 25 workshops (3 & 6 hrs. each) on a variety of topics (scheduled Thursday, Friday & Saturday)
• Over 200 sessions (75-minutes each) targetting all languages, levels and a wide variety of topics (scheduled all-day Friday & Saturday)
• Special sessions where you can try out a language you don't know!
• An Exhibit Hall with over 130 companies showcasing foreign language products and services (open Friday & Saturday)
• Opening session with Keynote by Marc Prensky, internationally acclaimed speaker, writer, consultant, and designer in the critical areas of education and learning.
• Free continental breakfast in the Exhibit Hall (Friday & Saturday)
• Evening "out on the town" activities (Thursday)
• Chair's Reception (Thursday)
• Special programs for students
• Tech playground equipped with the latest hardware and software for attendees to try out
• Embassy events and Exhibitor receptions
• Awards Presentation (Friday)
• Raffles and press release opportunities
• Justo Lamas concert
• The Marriott's location! Times Square! Walking distance to free museums, cut-rate theater tickets, ethnic cuisine and much more!

Q.  Why should I attend?
A.  You are a professional - and we always treat you like one. Our track record is outstanding -- you're sure to benefit. Our presenters are top-notch. We are historically a "networker's paradise"-you'll see everyone you know, but you'll never be lost in the crowd.

Q.  How can I get updates about the conference ahead of time?
A.  Just check here on the website from time to time, www.nectfl.org.

Q.  Can I earn professional development credit for my attendance at sessions and workshops?
A.  Yes! You may be able to earn professional development credit for attending the Northeast Conference. There will be a form printed in the official program. Here is some Advance Information.

Q.  When will I get my copy of the Conference Program?
A.  You will receive it at the registration desk when you come to the conference, but the Schedule of Sessions and List of Workshops are already available for you to review.

Q.  How can I get information about evening activities in New York?
A.  This website includes links to a number of interesting sites. We will also help small groups meet on Thursday evening to go to some great New York places and events (each participant pays his or her own way, but shared travel can reduce costs for you!). Members of the Local Committee will be available in the Registration Area to answer questions about the city.

About Registration and Fees

Q.  What is the registration deadline?
A.  February 18, 2008.

Q.  Can I still register after that?
A.  Yes! You can register on site at the Conference; however the fees are all higher since we have to cover the costs of having a registration staff, materials, and equipment on site in New York.

Q.  If I register and then find I can't come, may I have a refund?
A.  Unfortunately, no -- as our registration form makes clear, no refunds are possible. Once you register, we incur costs that we cannot recoup -- but, see the next question. . .

Q.  If I register and then find I can't come, may I give my registration to another person?
A.  Yes! Just send us a note or e-mail with that person's full name, address, other contact information, and badge affiliation details.

Q.  How will I know you received my registration?
A.  About two weeks after we receive your registration form or your on-line registration, we'll send you a confirmation by mail or by e-mail.

Q.  Do you have a one-day attendance rate?
A.  Yes! You may register for Saturday only at a reduced rate. We do not offer Friday-only rates because, sad to say, there are colleagues who would register for Friday only and come back for the Saturday program: we can't afford the security necessary to control access.

Q.  Is there an "exhibits area only" rate?
A.  No, you must register for the whole Conference in order to enter the exhibit areas. Our sessions are too good to miss, and conference production costs are too high for us to offer reduced rates for the exhibit areas.

Q.  If I am coming only for a preconference workshop on Thursday, must I pay the conference registration fee?
A.  Yes -- many of our costs are the same, whether you stay for one day or three (processing your registration, creating and printing the official program, ordering A-V, corresponding with presenters, etc., etc.). Note that this year we again have workshops scheduled for Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, in addition to those offered on Thursday.

Q.  I have joined the Advisory Council and paid my membership fee. Must I pay registration?
A.  Associate memberships include one regular registration. Advocate memberships do not, but you may switch levels by calling us at 717-245-1977.

Q.  What qualifies me for the student rate?
A.  You must present proof (letter from your school registrar's office) that you are enrolled full-time in courses at your college or university. The student rate is for individuals who are not earning a salary. It is not for those who working while taking evening courses or completing their dissertation while holding down a full-time job elsewhere.

Q.  Does anyone get into this conference free?
A.  Yes! You may bring up to five high school students with you, and their registration costs will be waived! You are responsible for the students during their time at the conference, but we have special programming for them and would welcome their participation. Students have always given our conference rave reviews!.
Local Committee members' fees are also waived. Contact the Local Committee Chair if you wish to serve.

Q.  Are meals included in the price of registration?
A.  Friday and Saturday continental breakfasts are included. We often provide coffee in the exhibit areas, and coffee service is always a part of workshops (see below). Several exhibitors very generously make coffee, lemonade, cookies, or popcorn available free of charge to exhibit area visitors. If you join the Advisory Council, a delicious Saturday luncheon is provided.

About the Registration Form and Procedures

Q.  Which credit cards do you take?
A.  Mastercard and Visa only.

Q.  May I use a purchase order from my school?
A.  Yes, however, we must receive payment by our registration deadline of 02/18/08, so request funds early!! Note: each purchase order must be accompanied by a completed registration form for each attendee and paid in full by February 18th; otherwise, it will be returned, and you'll have to register on site.

Q.  Do you need a registration form for every teacher in our group if we are sending more than one person and paying with one check, purchase order, or credit card number?
A.  Yes. The forms really help us with administrative record-keeping and ensure that everyone gets his/her individual name badge and conference materials.

Q.  On the form, it asks for my "affiliation" -- what does that mean?
A.  Your affiliation is your employer (school, college, university, company, district). It is not the organization(s) you belong to.

About Workshops

Q.  What are workshops?
A.  Workshops are three- or six-hour presentations that you must sign up for and pay an extra fee to attend. You may take more than one, provided of course that the times do not overlap. There are about 24 workshops. They are often highly interactive or personalized, and they explore a topic in depth. Workshop presenters are paid a stipend, and we also supply coffee service during workshops. Some workshops are held offsite or include a lunch, and the fee listed will include those costs. Most of our workshops are offered on the Thursday of the conference, but several are scheduled this year for Friday and Saturday. Keep checking the website for information.

Q.  How are workshops different from sessions?
A.  Sessions are only 60-75 minutes in length. You do not sign up for sessions: just go to the room where the session is being presented and take a seat! Sessions are included in the price of the conference, so you do not pay an extra fee as you do for workshops. All sessions are scheduled for either Friday or Saturday.

Q.  What if I decide I need to change my workshop?
A.  Just call or e-mail us to let us know of the change. You may not, however, get a refund if you decide not to take a workshop.

Q.  What if a workshop is cancelled?
A.  If you have listed a second choice, you will be rescheduled for that workshop, and we will let you know. If you have not listed a second choice, or if it is not available, we will call you to ask you what you'd like to do. If we cancel a workshop, you may obtain a refund.

About Conference Housing

Q.  Is there more than one Conference hotel?
A.  NECTFL has only one Conference hotel, so everything will be conviently at hand.

Q.  How does your Roommate Information Exchange work?
A.  Full information on how to sign up is available on the Roommate Information Exchange page. Note that while we cannot guarantee anything, many years' experience shows that anyone who reserves a room first and then uses our information exchange to find someone to share it, quickly finds a roommate. The number of people without a room greatly exceeds the number of people with a room to share on the information exchange.

Q.  How do I reserve a room?
A.  Our on-line room reservation service is fully explained on our Hotel page.

Got a question to which you can't find an answer here? E-mail us your question, and we'll get an answer to you shortly.

Here are some “best practices” for conference attendees: ideas to help you persuade administrators to fund your travel, ideas to help you prepare before you leave, and ideas to help you make the most of the experience both in New York and following your return to the office or classroom. Enjoy!

1. To persuade administrators that it’s important for you to attend NECTFL, be sure to:

• offer to bring back materials and ideas to share with colleagues;
• ask for funding now;
• show how your attendance will benefit students (better textbook selection decisions, fresh ideas, free materials, renewed energy);
• get colleagues, or even your whole department, and some of your students to accompany you — or bring the administrator along!;
• demonstrate how you can save money by sharing travel and lodging costs,
• if the conference occurs during your spring break, point out that you won't need a sub or won't miss any classes.
• Volunteer as a Local Committee member and get free registration! Contact the Local Committee Chair if you wish to serve.

2. To prepare for the conference:

• research our website beforehand and check it frequently for updates;
• check the Marriott Marquis Hotel and New York City visitor websites for information;
• register as early as possible, especially if you are signing up for a workshop, to be sure you get your top choice;
• use our roommate service to keep costs low;
• plan your schedule ahead of time, but be prepared with back-up choices in case a presenter is forced to cancel;
• plan to arrive as early as you can to pick up registration materials and get to events on time;
• plan time to network with old friends from grad school, former teachers or colleagues, and others — find out whether they’re coming now (encourage them to attend, if necessary!);
• be sure to pack: self-stick address labels for use on exhibitor order and mailing list forms; highlighters, “post-it”-type notes (to mark important pages in your Official Program), pencils and pens, a large pad of paper, and a good canvas bag (NECTFL has some for sale!); comfortable clothing of a “business casual” type and, most importantly, comfortable shoes!

3. While at the conference:

• food and beverages are often available in the exhibit hall, sometimes sponsored by exhibitors (please do thank our sponsors who provide so much support!);
• drink lots of water, since hotel environments are quite dry;
• use the stairs to avoid delays at elevators and to get the aerobic benefits;
• allow time for room changes between events and sessions;
• take time to relax, sort through your materials, and reflect on what you’ve heard at least once every day;
• get outside the hotel at least once a day, but be sure to remove your badge before you go out;
• do not take handouts from sessions you aren’t attending — they won’t do you much good without the presentation, and it’s unfair to those who plan to stay;
• turn off your cell phones in meetings, events, performances, workshops, and sessions, PLEASE!;
• fill out an evaluation form to let us know what you liked and how we can improve!

Please send additional tips to the Webmaster, Jack Henderson.

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