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Post by CC on May 8, 2007 23:32:22 GMT -5
THANKS Sharon I will check it out for you all ~ MB has been very kind to help me with info through PM, THANKS again MB But being I have never ever gone to one of these events how does it work? Do you have to register for the what you want to attend or do you just register for the event and can attend any and all you decide once there?? BTW Sharon, MB told me all the rooms are gone that were allocated at the special rate but one can still get a room there just cost more. Right MB ?? Honestly for me if I go, staying right there where all the action is, would have to be my choice. I need to check this out more for sure :-D K, another ? the on-line brochure says "Self Advocate & Sibling Mixer on Friday evening and a one hour concert at lunch on Saturday." K, is that something Kodi lee can attend as a sibling to one with DS? Any and all info you guys can share would help tons CC ~
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Post by Emilysmom on May 9, 2007 5:36:10 GMT -5
Christie, From my experience going to the NDSC conference last year, I can tell you this: Kodi Lee can DEFINITELY attend the mixer on Friday night and the dance on Sat night. If Christopher turns 15 before the conference, he can also attend the self advocates sessions on Friday and Saturday and Sunday morning too!!
For the PREconference, I signed up for the specific sessions I planned to attend when I registered. But, for the regular conference sessions on Saturday, I just picked up the program when I got to the conference and picked out the sessions I wanted to attend. In several instances, I made up my mind in the hotel room on Thursday night and changed my mind by Saturday morning about which sessions I wanted to attend. There are large group sessions each morning that are for everyone too. Usually, those are related to topics that parents of kids of all ages would be interested in. The educational sessions are wonderful, but I also thoroughly enjoyed the time in between each session and before/after they started, when you can browse through all the various vender booths and talk to other parents.
You can always make a reservation (if there are rooms available at the regular hotel rate) and ask about their cancellation policy.......if it turns out that you are not able to go, you can cancel your room. That's easier than finding a room later on.
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Post by MB on May 9, 2007 15:52:21 GMT -5
The Intercontinental hotel in KC now has a block of rooms for the convention at an NDSC rate of $129 a night. It is 22 blocks from the hotel. There is talk of a shuttle service.
mb
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Post by Jackie on May 11, 2007 9:23:56 GMT -5
That is a great rate at the IC on the Plaza...we are paying 20.00 more for our family reunion block ...three weeks after the NDSC there!!! I also read on the website that there will be continous shuttles going between the two venues.
I have helped Em fill out her Y and A forms and they are in the mail.
Jackie
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Post by wrblack on May 11, 2007 12:26:52 GMT -5
Not going but just saw this info: The NDSC’s 35th Annual Convention is just around the Corner! Our friends at the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City have planned many special anniversary surprises for you and your family. Come join the fun at our annual “family reunion”! • Overflow Hotel: Our block at the Westin Crown Center is completely full and the hotel will not give us additional space. We normally have some cancellations prior to the convention, so you may wish to check back. In the meantime, we do have an overflow block at the InterContinental Kansas City. This wonderful facility is located in the beautiful Country Club Plaza shopping and dining complex. Shuttles will run between this hotel and the Westin throughout the weekend. Rates are just $129 per night single/double and $149 per night triple/quad, and are available July 31-August 6. You may make reservations by calling 866/856-9717 or by going to www.kansascityic.com (Click on “reservations” in the middle of the page close to the top; enter arrival and departure dates; click on the “+corporate, group, iata number”; our “group booking code” is NDS). If this block fills up, we can expand it by a limited quantity, but please don’t delay in making your reservations. If you do run into a full block, please let us know at 800/232-6372 or info@ndsccenter.org and we will let you know if the hotel has additional rooms available. • American Airlines: It has come to our attention that there is a minor glitch in the American Airlines online reservation form. If you call 800/433-7300, you can use the NDSC discount code #1377AY. However, if you make your reservations online, please add the letter “A” to the beginning of the code – A1733AY. • Additional Speakers: We’re very pleased to announce that the following speakers have confirmed that they will be joining us in Kansas City: o James MacDonald, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, will present a workshop on building social and communicative lives. o Amy McCart, Ph.D., will present on Positive Behavior Support. o William Mobley, M.D., Ph.D., is presenting a workshop on the latest in Down syndrome research. o Monica Purdy, M.A., CCC-SLP, will share Talk Tools’ approach to oral-motor exercises for speech and feeding. o Larry Rouse will share information on The Mission Project. o Dr. Michael Wehmeyer will speak on self-determination. o Sean Smith, Ph.D., is confirmed to speak about assistive technology.
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Post by laurasmom on May 11, 2007 18:49:09 GMT -5
I booked our hotel room a couple of months ago.
I just finished doing all the online registration for myself and both girls to their respective conferences. I guess we are official now!
Sharon
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Post by Jackie on May 14, 2007 15:42:34 GMT -5
ok...can you see flames coming outta my ears? I was trying to clean up my email a bit and when I went to check out my confirmation for my hotel which I made Jan 11th....I could not find it. So called the hotel to have them resend it...they said I am NOT registered!!!!!!!! Now... I remember doing it cuz I had to book each room separately...2 double beds non smoking thurs-mon. Right after I booked them...I posted about it here and then left town...I probably never checked my email after I made them...and the Westin told me to call the NDSC cuz reservations made on line were with them...and NDSC says ....not so...so now think we might not come. I WILL NOT go to another NDSC and not stay at the hotel. Ed likes to go up to the room early...and this means we all either leave early or he has to stay...Also I like to lie down sometimes mid day.......bummer... Jackie
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Post by laurasmom on May 14, 2007 16:01:21 GMT -5
Oh Jackie............say it ain't so Keep calling. Last year the NDSC started checking hotel reservations against conference registrations. I am sure there will be a cancellation. Sharon
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Post by MB on May 14, 2007 21:28:24 GMT -5
Jackie-
I'm on it! E-mail me pronto.
mb
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Post by Jackie on May 15, 2007 8:49:47 GMT -5
Ok...I did...I have talked extensively with the Westin...they are phoning me back today...as a stop gap they did let me make a reservation using AARP ,,,but... what they had for me was king bedded smoking handicapped rooms at 50.00 per room higher than conf rates...I have temp booked those as a place to start...but boy am I steamed...and do NOT want to stay in a smoking room...
My other girls are iffy on attending and I think this might just make up their minds NOT to come with Em and me...sigh. I really think Katie would get sooo much out of the conf too.
It is my fault for not checking on my confirmation sooner...but as I left town an hour or two after booking those...didn't remember when I got back to look to see if they had come.
Jackie
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Post by laurasnowbird on May 15, 2007 13:07:30 GMT -5
Geez, Jackie, now you have me looking through my things to see if my confirmation is here......!
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Post by Jackie on May 15, 2007 15:51:49 GMT -5
well people at the NDSC thought they had helped me out by finding them ...but what they found were the 2 stop gap ones that someone in the hotel helped me find at 160.00/night...handicapped, not enough beds, and smoking....They told me that way I had something to start with when the hotel called me back...but...alas...the hotel now thinks THESE are the missing rooms... ;D
Good thing I have a sense of humor
Jackie
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Post by Jackie on May 16, 2007 17:40:43 GMT -5
ok...bottom line is...as I thought it would be...Hotel says it is NOT their fault...and in part they are correct as I did not notice I had not gotten a confirmation from them.
They were not willing to work with me...so I still have two expensive handicapped rooms...but supposedly the whole hotel is non smoking...so despite the fact they show on the inventory as smoking rooms..they are not? ;D
BUT they also said I could put my name on someone elses reservation as long as the person does not first call the hotel and turn the room back in. All rooms turned back in will be put in the general hotel inventory at regular prices. There is NO waiting list.
So if you know anyone who cant go please think of me if you would....
Jackie
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Post by Debbie on May 18, 2007 19:23:51 GMT -5
Jackie,
How awful for you! And all this time you thought you had the rooms.
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Post by chasesmom on May 19, 2007 8:57:43 GMT -5
Jackie....I had booked a room before Susan said I could bunk with her and never cancelled it. I offered it to CC a few weeks ago but she isnt going ..this is meant to be...you can have it, alas it is only one room but it will make Ed happy as he can go up and lay down whenever he chooses right? It is a NON smoking king size bed... room booked from Thursday thru Sunday, at the special rate, will that help you? Talk to me woman hugs, Robin
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