NERS 2007 Planning Meeting June 21, 2006

 

Present: Donna Zimmerman, Carlene Kincaid, Sophia Veinaglou, Eva Bodio, Debbie Tonelli, Deb Delaney, Maureen Curtis Cooper, Deb Donahue, Faye Everson, Barb Foley, Nella Jacob, April Bowers, Charla Scott, Anne Manton, Joan Cooper-Zack, Julie Bunn, Gina Crocker, Mary Martel and Robin Walsh.

 

Discussion:

          Site Visit group reported on the visit to the Plymouth Radisson. They evaluated the vendor space and met with the hotel event planner. The vendors will use the lobby space and 1/3 of the conference space. The ballroom divides into 3 rooms. The estimate is for a minimum of 40 vendor spots. The vendors will be sent letters requesting attendance and sponsorship.

 

          There was discussion on how to schedule the conference to allow participants to take advantage of the tourist sights of the area. The hotel rate will be extended thru Friday night so people can stay over if they choose. The conference schedule was finalized to be: All day Wednesday, Thursday morning until 1pm, and Friday all day ending at 3pm.  This will allow hospitality to plan events for fun and people can go off on their own if they choose.

         

          Hospitality: the hotel has space for an event at night, could be poolside. Hotel needs to have the final confirmation for night event by February 2nd, 2007.

         

          There will be an extra room on the lower level to display baskets and hold a raffle.

 

          There was discussion on how to best-fit meal plan into time with vendors. The final consensus was:

          Wednesday: Continental breakfast, lunch and wine and cheese reception by the pool in the evening. This will take advantage of the full day of conference.

          Thursday: Coffee and brunch 10:15-11:45am with vendors, Possibly an evening event.

          Friday: Continental breakfast and lunch.

It was felt that most vendors would likely leave after Thursday and definitely by Friday morning.

 

          Reviewed a tentative budget. There will be a conference call to set a budget for the program.  Jordan Hospital has offered to sponsor the bags for the conference.

          Speaker fees were discussed 20-22 speakers @ $250/speaker = $10,000 without factoring in travel and room expenses.

 

          A/V equipment and person to troubleshoot needed for speakers. Gina to check with the hotel to see if they have equipment and techie to set up and troubleshoot. It was decided that this should be included in the budget as the success of the program depends on the A/V equipment functioning properly.

Logo: Kay McLain has artist friend who will designed the Boston NERS logo to make a few sketches for committee to vote on.

 

Speakers and topics are work in progress. Anyone with suggestions for either please send them to Donna Zimmerman. It was suggested to lean more heavily toward clinical category since Leadership covers the Other category of CEU’s.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Mary Martel