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New Special Member Benefits


2008 National Conference Information

Conference Registration Fees

Members: If received by May 28, 2008 Single $895
Couple $1,095
Members: If received after May 28, 2008 Single $995
Couple $1,195
Honorary Members Single $695
Couple $895
Non Members Single $1,095
Couple $1,295
Exhibitors (workin company booth) $895 per person
Children 19 - 21 $250 per person
Children under 19 No charge
Additional Family Members $495 per person

Conference registration fees cover all business sessions, continental breakfasts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, coffee breaks, and materials distributed at the sessions. Also included are the opening reception on Wednesday evening, the Annual Conference Luncheon, the Thursday evening "HOT Caribbean Night at the Beach," free or subsidized spouse programs, childcare, and the Saturday night closing reception and dinner (which teens 12 years and over may attend). In addition, on Friday there will be a buffet luncheon in the Exhibit Hall followed later in the evening with an Exhibitor sponsored reception.

A "couple" registration qualifies you and your spouse or significant other to attend the conference and participate in social and business functions.

A person must be registered in order to participate in any of the Society's conference functions, business or social. This includes the Exhibit Hall and any food functions. The Society reserves the right to exclude from the event any persons on site at the Boca Resort or other conference venues that are not registered to participate.

Conference Registration Cancellations and Refunds

Refunds of Conference registration fees paid to the Society will be at the rate of a full refund less $75 with written cancellation (e-mail, fax or mail) received by the Society on or before Wednesday, June 4, 2008. For written cancellations received on or before Wednesday June 11, refunds of Conference registration fees will be at the rate of one-half less $75. And, no refunds will be given after June 11, 2008.

Cancellations for tours and spouse programs must be received in writing (e-mail, fax, mail) on or before Friday, June 6, 2008 in order to receive a refund. No refunds will be given after that date unless we can resell your space, after all others have been sold.

Cancellations for golf must be received in writing on or before Friday, May 23, 2008 in order to receive a refund. No refunds will be given after that date unless we can resell your space, after all others have been sold.

All written cancellations should be sent to Ophelia King at oking@governanceprofessionals.org.

Climate and Clothing

South Florida, with its subtropical climate, is certain to be warm in late June and brief afternoon showers are likely. Since we are in Florida in June, we've relaxed our dress code this year and encourage our attendees to consider resort attire for all Society events and business sessions. For our Thursday evening "Caribbean" themed beach party, tropical attire, with beach shoes or sneakers are recommended. We plan to have a life guard on duty until the sun sets so bring along your bathing suits if you care to swim. For those of you participating in tours or other outdoor activities, we recommend comfortable walking shoes, sun glasses or visors, and don't forget the sunscreen! If you plan to do any sailing, rubber soled shoes are recommended. For golfers, appropriate golf attire is required at all times. No one wearing jeans, bathing suits, t-shirts, gym shorts, tank, tube or halter tops, and cut-off or short shorts will be permitted to play. White clothing is not required for the croquet tournament on Saturday morning, but they request all participants wear flat shoes or sneakers.

The Boca Raton Resort, hosting the 62nd National ConferenceBoca Raton Resort & Club

Located on Florida's Gold Coast in Palm Beach County, the Boca Raton Resort & Club has long held the distinction of being a true icon of luxury and sophistication. When the Resort opened in 1926, it was the most expensive 100-room hotel ever built, known by many as the Grand Dame of resorts.

The hotel hosts a wide array of amenities and services, including two 18- hole championship golf courses, tennis courts, state-of-the art fitness center, specialized fitness classes, six swimming pools, a half-mile stretch of private beach on the Atlantic Ocean, a 32-slip, full-service marina, Spa Palazzo, as well as many world-class restaurants and dining options. For those interested in sailing, the hotel can arrange for deep sea fishing and sailing charters as well as race boat rides and other sailing activities. There are many recreational activities available as well, including bicycle and kayak rentals, croquet and racquetball, and much more. And for those of you who think shopping is a recreational activity, the hotel offers continuous round trip shuttle service to nearby Mizner Park, so you'll never be at a loss for something to do. The Boca Raton Resort & Club is a perfect place to bring your family and spend a few extra days before or after the conference ends. For additional information about all the hotel's amenities visit the Resort's website at www.bocaresort.com.

Hotel Reservations

The Society has reserved a block of rooms at the Boca Raton Resort & Club at special Conference rates:

  • Bungalow Room $125 single/double

  • Cloister Room $170 single/double

  • Tower Room $220 single/double

  • Bungalow Suite $205 single/double

  • Tower Jr. Suite $295 single/double

  • Yacht Club $325 single/double

A limited number of specialty suites are also available.

The Society's room block will be held until Tuesday, June 3 and after that date the rooms will return to the hotel for its normal sale, and reservations will be accepted only as long as rooms are available, and the negotiated rate may no longer apply. Since our room block has sold out for previous conferences, and to be sure you can reserve the accommodations best suited to your needs, it is important that you make your reservations early. The above mentioned rates will be honored three days before and three days after the Conference, based on availability.

A daily incidental services fee of $18 per room single or double, will be added to your room account. This fee covers daily access to the fitness center, unlimited local and toll free calls, daily access to high-speed internet service in guestrooms, daily newspaper delivery, resort transportation and bellman gratuities.

To make your hotel reservations please call the group reservations line at 888-503-2622 or 800-327-0101 and mention the Society of Corporate Secretaries "National Conference." Or, reserve online. If you have any questions about hotel reservations or accommodations, please call Jessica Allen at 561-447-3885.

Hotel Address:

Boca Raton Resort & Club
501 East Camino Real
Boca Raton, Florida 33432-6127
Telephone:561-447-3000
Hotel Fax: 561-447-3183
Guest Fax Number: 561-394-3961
www.bocaresort.com

Dining

With more than ten options to choose from, the Boca Raton Resort & Club offers a wide variety of dining styles and settings. From elegant world-class culinary options to more casual, relaxed dining choices, you are certain to find the right dining venue. Conference attendees may want to dine during those times when Conference dining programs are not planned (see Conference Registration Fees). Many of the resort's fine dining restaurants recommend that you made advance reservations. For additional hotel restaurant information, including reservations please call 561-447-3640 or online at www.bocaresort.com.

Spa Reservations

Spa CourtyardModeled after Spain's Alhambra Palace, with detailed archways, colorful mosaics and palatial gardens, Boca Raton's Spa Palazzo offers a variety of fine skin care and body treatments, including its renowned "ritual bath." If you are interested in spa services, require additional information or for reservations please call Spa Palazzo at 561-347-4772 or 877- 677-7347 or online at www.bocaresort.com. The hotel recommends that you schedule your spa services well in advance of your visit to ensure the widest selection of treatments and appointment times.

Special Conference Activities

Our Conference officially begins on Wednesday evening with the Opening Reception, sponsored by BoardVantage (www.boardvantage.com). This welcoming event promises to offer you ample time to reconnect with Society members you may not have seen since your last conference or to meet new members attending their first Society program.

For those of you who are early risers, we will offer Pilates exercise classes Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning beginning at 7:00 am We are delighted that Society member Carolyn Coffey, of CSC Corporation Service Company and owner of Kerr Gulch Pilates LLC will be teaching daily mat classes. Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes are recommended. Exercise mats will be provided by CSC. No prior experience necessary, open to all levels.

The Society's Annual Luncheon Address will be delivered by Bob Woodward, legendary political investigative journalist for The Washington Post and Pulitzer Prize winning author with 11 national best-selling, non-fiction books — more than any contemporary American writer. We wish to thank The Bank of New York Mellon (www.bnymellon.com) for sponsoring the luncheon address.

Our Thursday night plans include a fun-filled evening of food, music and dancing "under the stars" with a Latin/Caribbean flavor, at the hotel's private beach. The evening will include special games and activities for children and teens as well. We wish to acknowledge and thank the Corporation Service Company (www.incspot.com) for sponsoring all of the entertainment for this event. You must be registered for the Conference to attend.

On Friday evening Lydia Beebe, the Society's Chairman, invites the Past Chairmen, former B.H. Young Award recipients and Quarter Century Club Members and their spouses to join the Board of Directors' for a reception and dinner aboard the "Kathleen Windridge." Boarding begins at 7:00 pm from the hotel's private dock. The Society would like to acknowledge and thank Chevron Corporation for its sponsorship of the dinner.

On Saturday morning, we are organizing a Fun Run, Walk or Crawl beginning at 7:00 am. Plan to bring your running shoes and join in. Though we have yet to finalize all of the details for the Saturday evening closing reception and dinner, we do promise that it will be a festive and colorful event. The evening will include recognition of our out-going leaders completing their terms of office, acknowledge major Conference contributors and sponsors, and honoring this year's recipient of the Bracebridge H. Young Distinguished Service Award. We really hope you will plan to stay through Saturday night and celebrate the close of the Conference with us. This event is open to all registered Conference attendees, 12 and older, and is included in the registration fee. Please be sure to indicate on the registration page if you plan to attend, to ensure we have seating for everyone. The Society wishes to acknowledge and thank Computershare (www.computershare.com) for sponsoring the closing reception and dinner. We also wish to acknowledge and thank Georgeson Inc. (www.georgeson.com) for sponsoring the Karaoke Sing Along.

A program of organized tours open to all Conference attendees has been arranged for Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, as well as two "Post Conference" tours on Sunday. Special spouse tours have been planned for Thursday morning and afternoon, Friday morning and a Saturday morning "croquet" tournament. In many instances, tour space is limited and reservations will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Golf

Golf courseA Society golf tournament has been planned for Wednesday, June 25 beginning at 8:00 am and is open to all registered Conference attendees. We've reserved the hotel's Resort Course for the tournament and hope you'll participate. The cost to play in the tournament is $185 and includes greens fees, cart rental, refreshments and all tournament fees. Golf club rentals are available at a cost of $85. To register for this tournament please fill out the information on the Registration Form and be sure to include your handicap. Cancellations for golf must be received in writing on or before May 23, 2008 for a full refund. After that date refunds will be available only if we can fill your space, after all others have been sold.

If you wish to play golf on your own or participate in the hotel's Golf Academy please call 561-447-3078, or visit their website at www.bocaresort.com/golf.

Programs for Younger Children

Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery & ScienceThe Boca Raton Resort & Club is a family resort, and offers a variety of activities for all ages. The Society has made arrangements for on-site childcare again this year, so members can bring their entire family to the National Conference.

Through KiddieCorp, bonded and qualified convention childcare experts, children ranging in age from 6 months through 12 years will have their own "agenda" right at the hotel. The professional staff members of KiddieCorp have once again designed a program especially for the Society. They offer a variety of activities for each age group, including arts and crafts, toys, games and entertainment - including daily outside activities. While the Society will absorb the cost of this service to encourage members with children to attend the Conference, parents will be responsible for all meal costs. In addition, specially planned trips will be offered for children ages 6 - 12 during the day at an additional cost. The children's tours include a trip to the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery & Science on Thursday, June 26, and on Friday, June 27 we'll offer a trip to the Young At Art Children's Museum.

Please be sure to return the special Childcare Registration form to us by fax 212-681-2005, or send along with your registration form in the lock box envelope provided, on or before May 28 to guarantee enrollment. Childcare registration is limited and will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis after that date. Private babysitting can be arranged through the hotel's concierge by calling 561-447-3000.

Teens at the National Conference

We look forward to welcoming teens attending the conference at the annual Teen Reception on Wednesday night. This year we have planned an exciting evening out at a local arcade for dinner and a range of activities such as bowling, miniature golf, laser tag, go karts and other traditional arcade games. There is sure to be something fun for everyone! (Parent/guardian permission required to attend.)

During the conference teens may want to take advantage of some of the other organized programs such as one of the museum trips, catamaran sailings, or the croquet tournament. But there's no doubt the water and waves will be calling the teens to the beach. Later, for a break from the sun, the teens may want to retreat inside to our "Teen Room" which will be set-up throughout the conference with a TV and a selection of movies. This room will be unsupervised for most of the time and a signed parent permission slip is required so that teens can use the room. These forms will be available at the Society's Registration Desk.

Slide Show

Once again we will offer Conference attendees "daily" slide show presentations, sponsored by Bridgeway Software (www.bridge-way.com) where we will share special "Conference" moments together. The daily presentations will be located in the exhibit hall near the Bridgeway exhibit booth. We will have a final "farewell" slide show highlighting the major events of the program during the Saturday night closing event.

We are also planning to have a photographer available at selected events, including Thursday and Saturday evening, who will take individual and family "cruise-like" portraits for you.

Transportation

Boca Raton is conveniently located near three major airports. The Boca Raton Resort & Club is 24 miles north of Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport (FLL), 28 miles south of Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) and 46 miles north of Miami International Airport (MIA).

Taxis are readily available at the airport. However, if you would like to arrange for personal service by the Boca Resort, please call 561-750-7800 for their in house car service.

For those of you who are arriving by yacht, the Boca Resort's marina is located on the Intracoastal Waterway at milemarker 67.

Travel Arrangements

The Society has made arrangements with American Airlines to offer our attendees discounted airfares into the Boca Raton area. To take advantage of airfare discounts, call American Airlines Meeting Services Desk at 800-433-1790 and mention Authorization Number A8968AI. Discounted fares for travel will apply for travel dates beginning June 21 through July 1.

Avis car rental discounts are also available to Conference attendees. For information and reservations call Avis at 800-228-4341 and refer to Discount Number B136001.


Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals
521 Fifth Avenue New York NY 10175
212-681-2000 - Fax 212-681-2005

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