2015 RACSS Professional Development Seminar – Austin, Texas Oct. 5-7, 2015 ♦ Austin, Texas This is a track of the 2015 LSSS, RACSS & LRL Joint Professional Development Seminar.
The Research and Committee Staff Section, will hold the 2015 Professional Development Seminar Oct. 5-7 in Austin.
Hear a briefing on the practical implications of cases before the U.S. Supreme Court in the 2015 term. Tour the beautiful Texas State Capitol and learn about the Legislature. Sessions on pressing issues facing state governments will give research and committee staff valuable information to take back to their legislatures. You’ll be able to attend a wide variety of workshops that focus on skills-based training and legislative institutional issues including:
Staff Structures: What Does Your State Do? Staying Productive During the Interim Effective Communication with Legislators and Staff Tectonic Shifts: Adjusting to Change in the Legislative Workplace Personalities in the Professional Atmosphere – Smart Professional Practices Public Speaking and Presentation Skills Reflections on Legislative Service Bill Analysis: Tried and True and What’s New Food, Fellowship and Feedback
And more!
Attendees will participate in practical and informative sessions in a relaxed learning environment with many opportunities to network with legislative colleagues from other states. More Information and Contacts:
Kae Warnock, LSSS/RACSS Jeanne Mejeur, LRL Megan Martin, Housing Jillian Moore, Registration Registration
Registration fees are:
Early bird (through Sept. 10): $350 Post-early bird rate for legislative staff: $375 Texas host state discount: $295 Spouse or guest: $150 All others: $450
Spouse or Guest Registration. The $150 guest fee includes admission to all sessions and scheduled meal functions.
Cancellations received in the NCSL Denver office by Oct. 2 will be refunded, minus a $50 processing fee. Cancellations must be made in writing and faxed to 303-364-7811. Fees cannot be refunded for registrations cancelled after the conference begins.
Two ways to register:
Register Online (coming soon!) Requires a credit card for everyone except legislators and legislative staff. Confirmations will be sent by email. Deadline to register online is Sept. 25. Printable Registration Form Fax the printable registration form to 303-364-7811. Onsite Registration If you can't make the registration cut-off, onsite registration will be available at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center beginning Sunday, Oct. 4.
Hotel Information
Please make your hotel reservations for the PDS at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center by Sept. 10. After that date, our room rate cannot be guaranteed.
A block of rooms has been reserved at: AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center The University of Texas at Austin 1900 University Ave. Austin, TX 78705
Tel: 1-512-404-3600
Room rate for single or double: $189 per night (plus tax). If arranging hotel accommodations by phone, please state the reservation code—NCSLES0915—to indicate that you are attending the NCSL conference and receive the negotiated rate per night. Each attendee is responsible for making his or her hotel and travel arrangements. Ample parking is available in the hotel’s underground, attached garage. The hotel will provide complimentary wireless Internet access in all guest rooms and meeting space over the meeting dates. The hotel offers onsite dining options and an outdoor swimming pool.
The AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, four blocks from the Texas State Capitol, is on the University of Texas at Austin campus. The hotel is a tobacco-free facility offering complimentary high-speed Internet (wired and wireless) in the sleeping rooms. Within walking distance of the hotel is the Harry Ransom Center and the LBJ Library. The Dobie Theater, the Blanton Museum of Art, Guadalupe Street and Texas Memorial Stadium can also be found only a short stroll from the hotel. Travel Information
Austin is served by the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center is approximately eight miles from the airport. There are a variety of ground transportation options from the airport.
If you need assistance booking air travel: Christopherson Travel 800-825-3283 (7 a.m. to 6 p.m. MDT) or 303-694-4344
Special Needs To ensure full participation and accessibility for all meeting attendees, please notify Megan Martin at 303-856-1496 of any special accommodations you may require.
The seminar is a relaxed learning environment. Business casual attire and comfortable shoes are recommended for all seminar programs and activities.
Temperatures in Austin can reach highs of 80 and lows in the 50s in October. Evenings and meeting rooms may be cool, so sweaters or jackets are recommended.
City Information Austin’s known for its live music and local feel. It has countless acres of parkland interspersed with a beautiful urban skyline. The city ranked No. 4 in Forbes’ Most Creative Cities in 2014. Learn more at the Austin visitor’s bureau.
Preliminary Schedule
(A more detailed agenda will be available in the coming weeks. The concurrent sessions will offer four tracks: LSSS, legislative editors, RACSS and LRL.)
Sunday, Oct. 4 2:30–5 p.m. Registration Monday, Oct. 5 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Registration 7:30–8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast 8:15–8:30 a.m. Welcome from the Staff Section Officers 8:30–10 a.m. Opening Plenary 10:15–11:45 a.m. Concurrent Sessions 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m. Luncheon 1–2:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions 2:30–3:45 p.m. Concurrent Sessions 4–5 p.m. Concurrent Sessions Tuesday, Oct. 6 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Registration 7:30–8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast 8:30–8:45 a.m. Plenary at hotel or concurrents at Texas Capitol (no breakout rooms at hotel) 8:45–10 a.m. Concurrent Sessions (At Capitol) 10:15 a.m.–Noon Concurrent Sessions (At Capitol) 12:15–1:30 p.m. Luncheon 1:30–2:30 p.m. Texas State Capitol Tour/Texas Legislative Staff Services 2:30–3:30 p.m. Texas State Capitol Tour/Texas Legislative Staff Services 3:30–4:45 p.m. Concurrent Sessions 4:45–6:15 p.m. Welcome to Texas Capitol Reception (if funding available) Wednesday, Oct. 7 7:30 a.m.–Noon Information Desk 7:30–8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast 8:30–10 a.m. Joint Plenary Session [CLE] 10:15–11:45 a.m. Joint Plenary Session [CLE]