Conference Planning Information 101

Planning on attending the conference? Here is some information that will help with your planning…

July 6-10, 2011 ~ Fort Worth, Texas

Here we come! 

There will be numerous things to look forward to, such as inspiring interactive workshops, motivational speakers, and countless opportunities to network with fellow stutterers and speech language pathologists.  Not to mention auction, and closing banquet where after dinner you get to show your moves on the dance floor!

A surefire way to know the conference is upon us is to reflect on those great late nights at the hotel bar…laughing, chatting, and enjoying good company. 

We look forward to seeing you there ~

CONFERENCE ACTIVITES: 

Wednesday- July 6th Continuing Education Seminar (0.4 CEU’s offered) Presenter: Diane Games, M.A., CCC-SLP, BRS-FD Topic: Facilitating Change in the Attitudes & Thinking of Children, Teens, & Adults who Stutter! Description: This course will discuss assessment tools, behaviors and treatment approaches for each age group in the attitudinal and cognitive aspects of stuttering. Information for the professional will include techniques for addressing these issues in treatment. Case studies will be utilized to demonstrate the ideas/concepts.

Everything is BIG in Texas: and so are the options!

Our hope when selecting these tours was that they would give you a once-in-a-lifetime Texas experience. There is something available for every different price point, and we hope you enjoy the variety of options we have provided.

Wednesday Tours -

Texas Rangers vs Baltimore Orioles -Spend a night out under the stars watching the 2010 American League Champions Texas Rangers! The NSA will be offering discounted tickets for baseball at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.  We will leave at 5 p.m. and return after the game's conclusion, around 9:30-10 p.m. Price includes ticket & transportation. Price per person $35

Six Flags Over Texas: TICKETS ARE LIMITED
Get your adrenaline on at Six Flags Over Texas. Located right in Arlington, this amusement park has got a ride that can satisfy even the most demanding thrill-seekers, or just those casually interested in a night out with family. Dive Bomber Alley is calling all riders who dare to take a 15-story high speed plunge. Or if you want to have your breath taken away while getting a great view of Big D and Fort Worth, be on Superman's "Tower of Power" as you race up and then back down. If your kids have a big hankering for Looney Tunes, you can show them Daffy Duck's Capital Tours and Michigan J. Frog's Tinseltown Revue. Or if you're just all about the water, Hurricane Harbor has every type of ride that ends with a huge splash. We will leave hotel at 4:00pm and return at 10:00pm. Price includes ticket and transportation. Price per person $35

Friday (choose one tour)

Billy Bob’s Texas: If you think of Texas as wide open spaces and country life in America, have we got the place for you! Billy Bob's Texas, located in the historic Fort Worth stockyards, has been named the best country music club for eleven years and three times the Country Music Association Club of the Year. Not only are there concerts on Friday and Saturday night (and not just local singers, but acts such as Tracy Lawrence and Miranda Lambert) but live rodeo shows-and that's no bull. They do prefer to give you the real thing and not some simulation! And come by and enjoy some authentic Texas cuisine-after all, you can't be a Texan (even temporarily) and not try some BBQ brisket.

Billy Bob's Texas has real live bull riding INSIDE the huge entertainment center, with the best bull riders in the world competing weekly. No mechanical bulls here. You'll see the real thing: real bulls, real cowboys at Billy Bob's. $23 (Adults)  Kids under 11 - Free

Stockyard Station: Cost of transportation $7.00 per person
There's no place in Texas like Fort Worth's Stockyards Station! Located in the heart of the Stockyards National Historic District, Stockyards Station exemplifies Texas by providing an exciting blend of old and new with Historic Walking Tours that visit the Texas Trail of Fame, The Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and more, over 25 unique shops including a winery, art gallery and great restaurants that offer anything from ribs to enchiladas. While at Stockyards Station be sure to check out the pony rides, petting zoo, and take a ride on an authentic Stagecoach. Check out all Stockyard has to offer by clicking here.

Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame: $5.00 (Adults) $4.00 (Children 5-12)
Learn about the men and women who made significant contributions to the Western lifestyle in Texas. See the Sterquell Wagon Collection – world’s largest collection of lifestyle wagons. Discover the Chisholm Trail Exhibit – includes rare, authentic pieces with some dating as early as the 1700s. The exhibit explores 4 areas of the famous cattle-drive route of the Old West and its special ties to Fort Worth. Check it out by clicking here.

Cowtown Cattlepen Maze: $5.00 per person
With over 5,400 square feet of frequently changed wooden pathways, resembling the cattlepens of the old west, the Maze is always a challenge! Maze runners are timed through the two-level course of twists and turns attempting to locate checkpoints and find their way out. Logical thinking or luck – determines your Amaze’n Time! Check it out by clicking here.

Other options for Friday evening: The Renaissance Worthington is truly the "Jewel of Texas." Located in the heart of downtown Fort Worth, you'll be within walking distance of the premier shopping and entertainment venue, Sundance Square. Complete with everything from a cosmopolitan specialty beer and tequila bar to improv comedy clubs, from hot dance clubs to Old West-style dueling piano bars such as the Flying Saucer Sundance Square has everything necessary to experience the heritage of the Lone Star State. There are plenty of restaurants nearby to whet your appetite for anything you might have a Texas-sized hankering for, including Riscky’s BBQ for finger-lickin' good food and weekend karaoke, Mercury Chop House for out-of-this world beef, or Cabo Grande for authentic Mexican. If shopping is your thing, be sure to pick up the perfect boots or a piece of funky jewelry at the Retro Cowboy. If you don't feel like walking, just hop on Fort Worth’s free trolley, Molly. Pick up is right in front of the hotel, and she will take you all around Sundance Square.

There will also be numerous things to look forward to at the conference itself, such as inspiring interactive workshops, motivational speakers, and countless opportunities to network with fellow stutterers and speech language pathologists. Not to mention Karaoke, auction, and closing banquet where after dinner you get to show your moves on the dance floor!

ADULT INFORMATION

With the size of our conference expanding each year we have decided to have adult workshops begin Wednesday afternoon, July 6. The first timer’s orientation at 1 p.m. Wednesday will help you learn what to expect and how to get the most out of the conference. We will offer another First Timer orientation on Thursday in case you miss the first one.

It’s impossible to describe how powerful it is to spend three days with hundreds of people who “get it” – who understand what it is like to live with a stutter every day and still succeed. It’s something you have to experience for yourself. You can learn about stuttering from experts, explore your attitudes toward speaking and try out new techniques in dozens of workshops… be inspired by keynote speakers and NSA award winners…socialize on tours and at the Saturday night dinner dance and auction.

We have to warn you that the NSA conference is life-changing and habit-forming: Attendees often say that once you come to your first conference you will never miss one again. If you want to do something about your stuttering or help your child who stutters, take the risk and join us this year in Texas. You’ll be glad you did.

TWENTY SOMETHINGS  The transition from teen to adult can bring all sorts of new challenges. Making its debut in Cleveland, the “Twenty Something’s” program is designed specifically for 20- 29 year olds. We understand that you are past the “teen scene” and are not quite feeling the “adult crowd” just yet. We had this in mind as we planned your conference program.

This program will offer workshops that deal with the issues that challenge most Twenty-Something’s like dating/relationships, job interviews, career choices, advertising your stuttering and many others.

We have planned workshops, social time, a meet-and-greet and other age specific activities. Never feel like you don’t belong at a conference again! We heard what you wanted amd planned it for you. Come hang out with people your age that understand what you are going through. Be there, you’ll be glad you did!

3 1/2-DAY FAMILY/YOUTH PROGRAM

The NSA conference is 3 1/2 days packed with activities that will enrich the entire family. From Wednesday afternoon’s Meet n’ Greet to the banquet on Saturday night, kids, teens and parents will be taken care of. School-age children and teens who stutter build self-confidence in workshops and play activities facilitated by professionals, NSA staff, parents and SLPs. Parents meet with expert clinicians and get valuable support from one another. Workshops, outings, and presentations of all sorts will help families get to know each other and learn that they are not alone with their questions and challenges.

Invest time with your family to explore, learn, network and share stuttering with leading experts who specialize in working with children and adolescents who stutter, as well as with other families. Bring the whole family! Parents, children who stutter (ages 7 and older) and their siblings can participate in activities and workshops which will enrich the whole family.

Families who have experienced the NSA conference have said they wish they had known about us years before. This is a rare chance for you to take a break from life’s busy days to focus on your child’s stuttering and what you can do to help. Meet with some of the world’s outstanding stuttering specialists while sharing stories with others families. Children and teens could be reluctant to come for the first time but chances are, they’ll want to come back. The simple act of meeting other people who stutter can be liberating! 

In private parent sessions, questions will be answered by meeting teens and adults who stutter. At the same time, children will explore their stuttering in a fun and safe environment. The NSA’s family program staff has designed all sorts of new activities around a “rock n roll” theme to help everyone find their inner rock star!
 

SUPPORT GROUP LEADER TRAINING

Chapter leader training begins Thursday morning, July 7th with the Adult Chapter leader workshop. There will also be scheduled a Leadership Workshop for TWST and NSAKids leaders. If you are a chapter leader or want to be a chapter leader for an adult, TWST or NSA Kids chapter this workshop is a must. Leadership development, chapter growth, leader support, and more will be addressed.

SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS

Stuttering is a complex disorder, and there is so much to learn and understand. Who better to learn from than professionals who specialize in fluency disorders and individuals who stutter themselves? 

This conference will be attended by more than 600 people who stutter, their families, and the professionals who help them. Not only is this is an invaluable experience for all those interested in stuttering, but it is a valuable insight for all speech-language pathologist who want to see how individuals with a communicative disorder can interact in an “ideal” social and learning setting. This is what self-help and support is all about! See it and experience it yourself!!

As an added bonus, we will also be offering up to 16 hours of ASHA-approved continuing education units (1.6 CEUs). CEU begins on Wednesday afternoon, July 6, from 1:00–5:00 pm.

There will be a variety of opportunities for SLPs to attend workshops designed with their needs in mind. Roundtable discussions with teens and adults who stutter as well as the parents of children who stutter will allow the SLP to hear the personal stories of individuals who stutter and their families in a setting that encourages SLPs to ask questions. Many workshops led by leading SLPs will be offered throughout the conference. There will be a number of not to be missed adult workshops offered including “Covert Stuttering” and other informative, educational, and enlightening seminars.

**There are some opportunities to help with the youth program (please contact the national office if you are interested in helping; e-mail info@WeStutter.org), or you can submit a workshop proposal to facilitate your own workshop.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE!

Need help getting to the conference this year?  Due to the generosity of corporate sponsors and many of our members, we are pleased to announce that scholarships are available to provide financial assistance for people who stutter who would like to attend our annual conference.

Our goal is that families/adults who cannot afford to join us will now be able to attend. If you would like more information regarding scholarships please tell us by emailing Tammy at tflores@WeStutter.org.
 
Speech therapists are also asked to email us to help identify families who would benefit from this assistance.

NSA is very grateful to the generosity of many individuals and companies, which allows us to offer this financial help. If you or your company would like to make a donation, please email us at tflores@WeStutter.org for more information.

What do to FIRST:

Written by Tammy Flores, 01/11