LEADERSHIP CONNECTIONS – DON'T MISS THIS EVENT!
Chicago Marriott O'Hare
May 10-12, 2007

Simply the best conference in the country for early childhood administrators! Three jam-packed days of skill-building sessions, seminars, networking, and fun. This year's keynote presenters are Dr. Crystal Kuykendall, dynamic speaker and author of From Rage to Hope: Reclaiming Black and Hispanic Students, and Kathy Buckley, gifted comedienne, inspirational speaker, award-winning actress, and author of If You Could Hear What I See. Additional featured presenters include: Sue Baldwin, Michael Brandwein, Holly Bruno, Sandra Duncan, Ed Greene, Luis Hernandez, Keith Pentz, Pam Phelps, and Mari Pat Varga. Share and grow with colleagues across the country. Return to your center rejuvenated and ready to take your program to the next level.

The total conference package is $400. This fee includes opening luncheon and keynote, public policy forum, networking reception, spotlight on best practices, pamper yourself activities, continental breakfast Friday and Saturday, skill-building sessions, box lunch Friday, directors' marketplace, closing luncheon and keynote, directory of participants, gifts, raffle prizes, and much more. Register on or before February 1, 2007 and receive the $375 early bird rate. Sign up a group of ten or more to save even more.

For more information, click here to download a brochure or contact Donna Jonas at (800) 443-5522, ext. 5058. Hotel registrations can be made by calling (800) 266-9432. The special conference rate is $131/night (single or double occupancy). Rates and rooms are subject to availability and taxes.

Register Online »

Need Money to Attend?
Scholarship Opportunities Available

AT&T: If your center servers a child of an AT&T employee, the AT&T Family Care Development Fund has scholarships available for conference attendance. Apply by visiting www.lwsonline.com.

CCR&R: Contact your local Child Care Resource & Referral agency about professional development funds. To locate your nearest agency, contact the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) at (703) 341-4100. For Illinois residents, contact INCCRRA at (800) 649-1884 to receive an application and guidelines for professional development funds.

Corporate Champions for Change: You may be eligible for a conference scholarship donated by one of our generous sponsors. Click here to download a printable application form.

Optional Preconference Activities
Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Innovations Train-the-Trainer Seminar: Join author Dr. Kay Albrecht for this focused event. Learn how to use Innovations—The Comprehensive Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Curriculum series to help teachers fully incorporate all components of the curricula. Designed for directors, trainers, technical assistance consultants, and college instructors familiar with the Innovations curriculum series, this six-hour train-the-trainer session will provide you with all of the information you need to use the Innovations materials to meet your training, assessment, and professional development goals. Participants should bring their copies of the Innovations curricula or may purchase the books on-site. There is an additional $150 fee for this seminar and pre-registration is required. Enrollment is limited.

Kohl Children's Museum/Abbott Laboratories Tour: Explore the extraordinary Kohl Children’s Museum, then tour the 46,000 square foot world-class Abbott Laboratories child care campus. Box lunch included. End the day with a dessert reception at the Marriott. There is an additional $70 fee for this tour and pre-registration is required. Enrollment is limited.

Chicago Children's Museum/Millennium Park Tour: Explore the Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier, then head to Millennium Park to experience the sights and sounds of this extraordinary Chicago attraction. Box lunch included. End the day with a dessert reception at the Marriott. There is an additional $70 fee for this tour and pre-registration is required. Enrollment is limited.

Public Policy Forum
Thursday, May 10, 2007

Stepping Up to Quality: Anne Mitchell, President of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), will discuss quality rating systems (QRS) used to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early childhood settings. Join us at the Public Policy Forum on Thursday from 2:15 to 5:30 p.m. Learn more about standards, accountability, outreach and support to programs and practitioners, financial incentives, and parent education about program quality.

Professional Development Advising Opportunity
Thursday, May 10, 2007

Provided free of charge for all conference participants: Do you have questions about your professional development? How do you earn your Type 04 teaching certificate or your Illinois Director Credential? Do you qualify to teach in a Preschool for All program? Whatever your question, an experienced, trained Professional Development Advisor from Gateways to Opportunity, Illinois' Professional Development Network will be available for individual and confidential advising on Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Advising is by appointment only. Sessions are 30 minutes in length and can be continued after the conference if necessary. To make an appointment, contact Mark Obuchowski at (888) 548-8080. Don't wait until the last minute and be left out!