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This will be my first conference. Why should I attend?
A The National Stuttering Association Annual Conference literally does offer something for everyone. Many of our attendees come to learn how to educate others about stuttering, and some want to learn how to take back their life from the challenges stuttering have caused them. A main component, however, is the ability to be around others who face the same situations that have emerged on a daily basis. If you have ever struggled to find a job because of your speech, there are members who have experienced that. If you haven't met anyone who stutters and you are feeling isolated, this conference will be the perfect environment for you to step out and meet some of the most amazing people. You will be inspired and pushed to make positive changes in your life-and this conference is the first step to doing so!!! An NSA conference is the best place in the world to learn about stuttering and meet some of the most wonderful people in the entire world. Explaining an NSA conference is like explaining the color red. You've got to experience it to believe what it will do for you. For more details on what a conference is like, click here.
I have never met anyone who stutters, and I won't know anyone at the conference, will I fit in?
A Yes! Imagine being in a room with 800 strangers - who stutter! Imagine becoming good friends with a total stranger in five minutes or less. We all fit in. Those of us who have been to prior conferences all had a "first time" too, and we were all scared at first. But we survived! And we learned and grew - and most of all we had a lot of FUN! We made friends who will last a lifetime. Yes, you'll fit in. Close your eyes and jump! Trust us. You'll be glad you did!
A. It varies. In the early days we had less than 100. The largest conferences in recent times were over 600 people. Typically you can expect in the neighborhood of 300 to 500 people, but we hope to break our record of 873 record set in Fort Worth, 2011.
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Is there going to be anything specific for first timers at the conference?
A. Yes, definitely! The NSA recognizes that those attending our conference for the first-time will likely be overwhelmed at first. Our community is excited to meet you, and we have very special "Icebreakers" that will allow you to interact with other members. Not only do we have special mixers and workshops designed for first-timers, but those who lead the workshops are especially trained to work with new visitors. Remember, we were all "first-timers once." We love to pay it forward and help new attendees meet other people! The First Timer's workshop is held twice once on Wednesday and then again on Thursday. This is the one workshop that will get you ready for the weekend that will change your life. You will learn what to expect from the weekend and how to get the most out of the conference.
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A By all means! Our conference is not just open to people who stutter, but also families who support someone who stutters. We strongly encourage students majoring in speech-language-pathology to join us, as well as SLPs in general. The registration is slightly higher for those who are non-members, but don't let that be a reason to stop you!
A Arrive at the hotel and check in no later than Wednesday afternoon. Earlier, if at all possible. There are special events (Wednesday night baseball game, First Timer's meet and greet) that start as early as Wednesday evening. Many of the 'Old Timers' typically get there as early as Monday or Tuesday to greet others and hang out with old friends. To see a typical schedule of events during the week, click here.
I'm a parent, loved one, or sibling of someone who stutters. Can I attend?
A Parents are especially encouraged to attend! It is not uncommon for parents to attend a conference with their child. We are very happy to offer workshops just for parents who stutter. We have roundtable forums where parents can openly solicit advice about any type of issue encountered, from getting school support to how to face peer bullying. We have a special committee comprised of parents just like you who make these workshops happen. If you have a spouse who stutters, you are also welcome to attend!
I'm a speech-language pathologist. Is there something planned for us?
A Yes, definitely! In fact, many of your professional colleagues will be in attendance. Going to an NSA conference is a great way to learn about stuttering, meet other clinicians interested and stuttering, and gain first-hand information from people who have experienced a wide variety of treatment approaches. Many SLPs also find it beneficial to invite their clients who stutter to come with them. Not only will their clients benefit from meeting other people who stutter, but it will help the SLP gain new ideas for use in therapy with that client once the conference is over.
Costs
A The cost of the conference can depend on each person's expenses. The most standard expenses are airfare/hotel. Food, activities, and any other endeavors (shopping, NSA apparel, etc.) at your own expense. You can spend as little or as much as you'd like, and this includes any auction items that you may wish to purchaseIt varies widely with each individual.
A Yes. Thanks 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. Click here or contact Tammy Flores at tflores@WeStutter.org or phone 1-800 We Stutter (937-8888) for details.
A Yes! Simply click on Conference Registration and you'll see options for to fill in the registration form or PRINT it out. Remember, if you register before March 31st, you can save money, so register early and get the best deal!
Travel information
A Those of us not near St. Petersburg will typically fly. Some good internet travel sites include Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz, and Hotwire, among others. Pick your favorite and make your reservations early!
A We have some great options to help reduce the costs: First, why not consider a roommate? Not only is it a great way to make a new friend (and possibly your best one!) but you can cut half the price right there...and come on, you won't spend that much time there anyway! Second, book your hotel early and you'll be entitled to a special "Early Bird Rate". Our conferences have sold out the hotel, don't be stuck on a waiting list, or worse, having to stay somewhere else! And lastly, we cannot stress this enough: If you are flying, BOOK EARLY. The Fourth of July is the biggest travel weekend of the year, right up there with Thanksgiving. You can lock in a great price for a fare, check your local airline web sites, as some of them may not have already opened up flights for July. Special 'early bird' rates exist for the conference hotel, as well as less-expensive options such as roommates or use of our contract airline carrier.
A The nearest airport in Tampa International (TPA) which is 20-25 minutes. While the Tampa Bay metropolitan area does have two airports, we suggest you fly into Tampa International Airport (TPA), which has the most traffic for airlines. There is a secondary airport, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International (PIE) which is 15-20 minutes away, but flights here are very limited and most of the carriers are very small, regional-based. If you choose to make this a family vacation, you may also consider flying into Orlando International Airport (MCO), for those who are visiting the theme parks. We hope to see you in Scottsdale, Arizona for our 30th Anniversary Celebration, July 2nd - 7th, 2013.
A Ambassador Limousine and Sedan is pleased to be offering the NSA an amazing round trip rate of $35.00/Person (kids under 4 travel for free) plus gratuity. Kids Leaving approximately every 30 minutes upon arrival, this will be a direct shuttle service to the resort, no other stops will be made.
To book your reservations, please click here.
Keep in mind that:
• Reservations must be booked as Round Trip and will only be accepted online until June 29th, 2012
• Departure times to the airport should be 2 - 2 1/2 hours prior to flight departure time
• Any changes and/or cancellations must be called in to Ambassador Limousine at 727-442-9050
A A cab from the airport to our hotel will be approximately $75.00, not including tip and could possibly be more if there traffic. Therefore, we think once you see what options are available, you will want to go with Ambassador.
A Why not consier renting a car? We have secured a fantastic discounted corporate with Dollar Rent-A-Car as well as a discounted on-site parking rate of $6/day. Car rental reservations may be made through our Corporate Reservation Link, by calling (800) 800-4000, or by visiting Dollar.com. However you make your reservation, please use the Corporate Discount Code #CM2373.
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A Yes, you can get a map of the local area upon arriving at the hotel.
Hotel information
Do I need to stay at the conference hotel?
A It is highly recommended you stay at the conference hotel for a number of reasons: first, our hotel will be the central location for all things NSA. You'll never have to worry about missing any type of workshop or get-together! Secondly, the NSA has secured the best rate available for your hotel room: $129.00 per night until March 31st, which is almost 45 percent off the "rack rate" (which is what you'd pay if you walked in off the street and wanted to stay). Lastly, the NSA conference is our biggest fundraiser of the year. We have agreed to purchase a block of rooms from the hotel that need to be occupied. All the monies raised go directly to the NSA. In essence, if you don't stay at the hotel, you may be costing the NSA money. There have been conferences where rooms have gone unfulfilled, and while that may cause a "Well, it's no big deal," in reality, it is a big deal because the NSA is contractually obligated to pay for those rooms. That, unfortunately, comes out of our budget for next year, and could mean the difference between planning a special activity and not being able to do so.
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Where is the hotel?
A Our hotel is the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, located right on Tampa Bay, and it's the only luxury hotel with a private marina and eighteen holes of golf available. For more details, please check out http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tpasr-vinoy-renaissance-st-petersburg-resort-and-golf-club/
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How do I make reservations at the hotel?
A At this time reservation must be made directly with the NSA National Office. Contact us at Info@WeStutter.org or (800) WE STUTTER.
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Is there going to be a cheaper hotel available?
A While it is not mandatory to stay in our hotel, you are always free to seek accommodations elsewhere. However, the NSA will not provide any transportation arrangements for you and your guests if you should choose to stay at a different hotel. Please keep this in mind when you consider choosing another hotel.
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How do I get a roommate?
A Having a roommate is not only a great way to make new friends, but also an ideal way to defray your hotel expenses. When you register for the conference, please indicate on your registration form that you would like a roommate. If you have a certain person in mind you wish to room with, please let us know. If not, we will try and match you up with a person of appropriate age and gender. (Due to safety issues, there will be no co-ed rooms with children under the age of 18 unless a parent signs a consent form).
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Is there parking near the hotel and conference site?
A The NSA has made arrangements for any guests who wish to drive to obtain daily parking for $6 per day. Please contact the front desk as well as the NSA's main office if you wish to receive a parking pass for the time you will be here.
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Can I receive a map of the hotel layout before arriving?
A When our conference program is finally out together (around April/May), we will have a map of the hotel included with directions on how to find the rooms.
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Workshops and Speakers
A This has not been decided yet - check back regularly for updates.
A We are currently gathering submissions for workshops. Please check the NSA website reguarly as we will be updating the workshops.
A We won't know the schedule for workshops until most of the workshops are confirmed. We hope to have the completed program posted by early June. Watch the website for developing details.
A Our Executive Director Tammy Flores will be scheduling the adult workshops. All Family Programs workshops for parents, teens and kids are scheduled by the Family Programs committee.
A Workshops are reviewed by the workshop committee for content, applicability and presenter(s).
A Yes, you can. Fill out the Workshop Submission Form either online or in PDF format and mail it in. If your workshop is appropriate and original you have a good chance of it being approved.
A Yes. (By the way, ASHA is the American Speech/Language and Hearing Association and CEU is Continuing Education Unit. These are both professional and academic terms.)
A For SLP's wanting CEU's there is a special rate of $209 for the entire conference. This fee includes conference materials, handouts (when applicable), workshops, Thursday night Opening Celebration, and up to 1.0 continuing education units.
A Chapter leader training begins Thursday morning from 8:00AM - 10:00AM with the Adult Chapter leader workshop. There will also be a Leadership Workshop for TwST (Teens Who Stutter) and NSAKids leaders. If you are a chapter leader or would like to become 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. Be sure to arrive at the hotel on or before Wednesday night.
Activities
A Below we have listed tours that are available Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday night. See the Conference Brochure for details. Our hope when selecting these tours was that they would give you a once-in-a-lifetime Tampa experience. There is something available for every price point, and we hope you enjoy the variety of options we have provided.
Tuesday: Adventure Island
Adventure Island's 30 acres provide water-soaked excitement for guests of all ages. Ease into island time in a place where corkscrew slides, waterfalls, a giant wave pool, a rambling river, and other family attractions create a laid-back atmosphere and hours of sun-drenched fun. Your toughest decision? Whether to hit the slides for some fast-paced fun or grab a siesta in your own private cabana. We will leave hotel at noon and return at 6:00PM. Price includes ticket, transportation and dining certificate (one entrée, side, and dessert). Price per person $45. Tickets are limited
Tuesday: Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is a non-profit working animal hospital whose mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release sick and/or injured marine animals. CMA is also home to “Winter”, the famous dolphin without a tail who has inspired people around the world.
We will leave hotel at 1:15PM and return at 5:00PM. Price includes ticket and transportation. Tickets are limited. Price per person, adults - $19.95 & children (3-12) - $14.95
Tuesday: The Salvador Dali Museum
The Salvador Dalí Museum shall educate the public and promote understanding, enjoyment, and scholarly examination of art through the exhibition of works by Dalí and artists of similar vision. The Salvador Dalí Museum shall preserve and expand its collection of art of Dalí and related archival material. Join us for a guided 90 minute walking tour or stroll to the center of their garden labyrinth and take a deep breath. Entertain the possibility of the fantastical as the place and the art invite you to look beyond. We will leave hotel at 2:00PM and return at 6:00PM.Price includes ticket and transportation. Price per person, adults - $21.75 & children (6-18) - $14.75
Wednesday: Baseball Game: Tampa Bay Rays vs. NY Yankees
The domed Tropicana Field is home to the MLB's Tampa Bay Rays, who play their games in the 43,500-seat stadium featuring an artificial turf ballpark and an all-dirt infield and base paths. Left Field Street is a popular area for families and game fans, offering a baseball game show, photograph opportunities, authentic MLB baseball gear and video games. We will leave hotel at 1:15PM and return after the game. Section 132 (baseline box) is located on the 1st base side over looking right field. Price includes ticket and transportation. Price per person $41. Tickets are Limited.
Wednesday: Chihuly Collection presented by Morean Arts Center
The Chihuly Collection presented by the Morean Arts Center is a stunning, permanent collection of the world-renowned artist’s unique artwork in a magnificent 10,000 square foot setting designed by award-winning architect Albert Alfonso. The collection includes the spectacular Ruby Red Icicle Chandelier created specifically for the collection and is not to be missed. This collection is walking distance from the hotel. Please feel free to explore at your leisure.Price includes admission. Price per person, adults -$14.95 & students - $10.95
Friday: Beach Party
Grab your bathing suit - the NSA is hitting the sand for the biggest beach party of the summer! Join us on Friday afternoon as we soak up the sun with games, activities, and relaxation for the whole family. Each participant is responsible for their own towels and beach gear, but food will be sold on location. Parents must accompany their children under the age of 18 to the beach and remain with them the entire time. We will leave hotel at 3:15PM and return at 8:00PM Price includes transportation and activities, $12 per person
Friday: Dolphin Queen Cruise
Cruise the waters of Tama Bay while enjoying the area’s treasured wildlife and the beautiful sights St. Petersburg has to offer! Board a boat and enjoy a 1½ hour Dolphin Queen Cruise to where the wildlife lives and see Bottlenose Dolphin, endangered Manatees, and nesting Seabirds in their native habitats if you’re lucky. A relaxing afternoon of sun, fresh air, and nature all rolled into one. We will leave hotel at 4:30PM, boat will leave the dock at 5:00PM. Price includes ticket and transportation. Tickets are Limited. Price per person, adults -$24.95 & children (13 & younger) -$19.95
Friday: Ghost Tour
Peer into the shadows and mysteries of Florida’s “Sunshine City” on a candlelight walking tour of St. Petersburg! Hear true ghost stories of wandering spirits, haunted mansions, phantom lovers, and age old curses… forgotten tales brought back to life. Join in for a leisurely 90-minute walking tour along St. Petersburg’s quaint streets and beautiful waterfront. We will leave hotel at 7:00PM and return at 9:30PM Price includes ticket and transportation, $11 per person.
Other options for Friday evening: The Pier
Extending a mile out into the silvery waters of Tampa Bay, this five-story upside-down pyramid at the end of the city's famed Pier shimmers in the sun. Here, you will find a variety of stores, restaurants, evening entertainment spots, and the city's aquarium, plus a hands-on museum. On the ground floor is a replica of the HMS Bounty with galleries and boutiques. Top floors have an aquarium, Hands-On exhibits from the Great Explorations Children's Museum, and an observation area. Pick-up is right in front of the hotel. Grab a group of friends and enjoy the sights of St. Petersburg nightlife.
Professionals
A You're MORE than just welcome, we'd love to have you! You'll learn more about people who stutter in these four days than you'll learn in three years in school!
A Yes, there will be plenty choose from. (ASHA is the American Speech/Language and Hearing Association and CEU is Continuing Education Unit.) Typically, we try to have at least (4) different CEU sessions per day. You will have options as to which you would like to attend. The front of the program lists all the different sessions that will be offering CEU's. There will also be a variety of non-CEU opportunities for speech pathologists 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 allows SLPs to ask questions. Many workshops led by leading SLPs in the country 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 workshops.
A We will open up the call for papers as of January 1st, 2012.
A YES! SLP’s can now earn more CEU’s than ever for attending the entire conference. We will be offering up to 1.0 CEU's for the conference this year. Please check back in late May for an update regarding the various sessions that will be offered for CEU's. We are also offering the Master Class Series Wednesday and Thursday which is available for 0.3 CEUs per session.
A There are many other "regular" workshops that SLPs and students will also be interested in. As the workshops are approved we will be posting them online, so be sure to watch the Workshops section of this website.
There will be a variety of opportunities for speech pathologists to attend workshops designed with the SLPs 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 allows SLPs to ask questions. Many workshops led by leading SLPs in the country 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 workshops.
A Email us at info@westutter.org, or once you arrive at the conference, head to the registration desk and anyone sitting there will be able to help you.
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