Informative Letters
from Jeff Zeig
Updated November 20, 2009
Dear Conference Attendee:
We eagerly await your attendance at this year’s Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference in just a few weeks! Currently we have more than 6,500 attendees counting volunteers, guests and exhibitors, representing 50 countries!
To make the Conference experience enjoyable and easy to negotiate, please read this letter carefully. It contains information regarding registration procedures, logistics of the meeting, and important new information.
First, the basics...
Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference:December 9-13, 2009
Pre-Conference Workshop – Daniel Amen & Andrew Weil:
December 8, 2009
NEW! Kickoff Keynote Address – Robert Sapolsky:
December 8, 2009 – 7:00-9:00PM
Post-Conference Workshop – Erving Polster & Jeffrey Zeig:
December 14, 2009
Hilton Anaheim, Marriott Anaheim & Anaheim Convention Center:
Hilton Anaheim – 777 Convention Way, Anaheim, CA 92802; Tel: 1-800-445-8667 / 1-714-750-4321
Marriott Anaheim – 700 West Convention Way, Anaheim, CA; Tel: 1-714-750-8000
U.S. Name Badges are Mailed;
Foreign Attendees get Name Badges On-site
The name badge is your admission to all sessions. If you registered for single days, you will see those days printed in the lower half of your badge (WED, TH, FRI, SAT and/or SUN). If you registered for the Pre-Conference you will find “PRE” printed on your badge. If you registered for the post-Conference, you will find “POST” printed on your badge. Volunteers will check name badges as you enter each session. Please wear your name badge at all times in a place that can easily be seen. You MUST wear a name badge to be admitted to the session.
U.S. Attendees: BRING THE FULL NAME BADGE SHEET WITH YOU TO THE CONFERENCE!
You will be asked to sign the bottom portion of your name badge sheet by the staff distributing registration materials. You may sign the bottom portion before arriving in the registration area to save time.
International Attendees: Please see the registration times below to pick-up your name badge on-site!
When you arrive at the Evolution Conference
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP ATTENDEES ONLY:
Please proceed to the registration area in the Hilton Anaheim – Ballroom Level.
Registration will be held: Tuesday, December 8, 2009 – 7:45AM – 2:30PM
NOTE: If you are registered for the Pre-Conference Workshop AND the full Conference (and post-conerence, if applicable), you will receive all registration materials at the Pre-Conference Registration Desk; you will not need to re-register or pick up any additional materials for the full/post- Conference.
FULL CONFERENCE, POST-CONFERENCE and SINGLE-DAY ATTENDEES:
If you are NOT attending the Pre-Conference Workshop, please go to the registration area in the
Exhibit Hall A at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Registration will be held:
Tuesday, December 8: 4:00-7:00PM. Kickoff Keynote at 7:00PM!
Wednesday, December 9: 7:00AM-6:00PM
Thursday, December 10: 7:30AM-6:00PM
Friday, December 11: 7:00AM-6:00PM
Saturday, December 12: 7:00AM-6:00PM
Sunday, December 13: 7:00AM-2:00PM
Volunteers (wearing red ribbons/hats) will greet you at the registration times and locations above to distribute:
Badge Holder & Lanyard – the badge holder will make it easier to wear your badge at all times.
On-Site Syllabus – containing session room assignments, and a map to help you locate the session rooms at the hotels and Convention Center. The Syllabus in now available online at www.EvolutionOfPsychotherapy.com/syllabus.pdf prior to the Conference!
REMEMBER! U.S Attendees must bring the full name badge sheet with you to the registration area to receive your materials.
International Attendees must pick up their name badges and Conference materials on-site.
Continuing Education: You can get your Certificate Online instantly!
Beginning Tuesday, December 15, 2009, after the conclusion of the Conference, click on the Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference at www.CmeCertificateOnline.com, to evaluate the workshops you attended, and the Conference as a whole. As soon as you have submitted your evaluation, you can print your complete CE/CME certificate. IMPORTANT: You must submit your evaluation no later than February 20th, 2010.
If you are unable to go online, there will be a paper evaluation packet available at the Continuing Education Desk. Be sure to pick it up when you register! It contains individual Workshop Evaluations that you will have to return after each workshop you attend. It also contains a General Evaluation form and the Application for Continuing Education. You will need to complete these forms and do one of the following in order to receive a Certificate of Attendance:
You may: a) turn in this paperwork at the Erickson Foundation Desk located in Exhibit Hall A at the Convention Center; or, b) mail the completed forms to The Erickson Foundation; 3606 N. 24th Street; Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA, and receive your Certificate of Attendance by mail. Paper evaluations, whether left at the Erickson Foundation Continuing Education Desk or mailed to the Foundation, will take 8 – 10 weeks to process.
Bookstore & Exhibit Hall Hours
The Bookstore and Exhibits will be held in Exhibit Hall A in the Anaheim Convention Center. (Times subject to change)
Bookstore and Exhibit Schedule:
Tuesday, December 8: 4:00-7:00PM
Wednesday, December 9: 7:00AM-6:30PM
Thursday, December 10: 8:00AM-7:30PM
Friday, December 11: 7:30AM–7:30PM – Book signing in Exhibit Hall A – 6:30-7:30PM
Saturday, December 12: 7:30AM–6:30PM
Sunday, December 13: 7:30AM–2:30PM
Visit the Bookstore and Exhibits to see the latest in books, training materials, and other therapy products! There will be daily raffles from exhibitors and the Erickson Foundation. When you visit an exhibitor you can request a raffle ticket. The Free-Take-One tables will be located near the Registration Desk in Exhibit Hall A. Exhibitors pay for this service. No other literature should be placed in Conference venues.
Bring your Laptop! Free WI-FI will be available in Exhibit Hall A
Browse the Bookstore, stop by the Exhibits, grab a snack and check your email – all in Exhibit Hall A!
Faculty Bios
Visit the Conference web site for complete information including bios, presentation topics, and schedules for each faculty member: www.EvolutionOfPsychotherapy.com.
Session Handouts – PRINT AND BRING WITH YOU!
Because the Conference will be attended by more than 6,000 attendees, session handouts will not be available on- site. Please see evolutionofpsychotherapy.com/pages/handouts.html or go to the Conference Web site: www.EvolutionOfPsychotherapy.com click on “Registration Information” and then “Faculty Handouts.” All handouts received by faculty are posted on this page. Be sure to print and bring the handouts with you to the Conference! Note that the page is updated daily, and there may be updates after the Conference.
The Sessions
All sessions are open seating. You do not need to register for individual events. We do not anticipate any sessions to fill to capacity. However, because of fire laws, should a room completely fill, you will be refused admission to that session. Sitting on session room floors is not permitted. Volunteers will be at the door of each session and will close a session in the unlikely event that every seat in the room is taken.
Special Needs
Space will be reserved in the front rows of each meeting room for Faculty, VIPs, and attendees with physical limitations. If needed, please ask a Volunteer for assistance to the seating areas reserved in the front of each room. We ask ALL registrants to please be mindful to the needs of those with physical limitations, leaving the front rows of the meeting rooms open to accommodate those who need assistance.
Perfume & After-Shave
At least a few of our attendees are allergic to scents. Abstinence during the day is appreciated.
Your Wardrobe
The temperature in the Conference rooms may fluctuate dramatically from hot to cold. We strongly suggest dressing in layers to adjust your apparel to the temperature of the Conference rooms. Remember to bring comfortable walking shoes, too! Events are scheduled in three locations: the Convention Center, the Hilton and Marriott hotels. All three venues are adjacent to each other, but there is still some distance to traverse.
CONFERENCE UPDATES & ADDITIONS – PLEASE READ!
NEW! Kickoff Keynote with Robert Sapolsky on Tuesday evening from 7:00-9:00PM in the Hilton Pacific Ballroom. REMEMBER: If you’re not attending the Pre-Conference Workshop you need to register FIRST at the Convention Center, then go to the Hilton Pacific Ballroom for the special Kickoff Keynote.
OPENING REMARKS: The Convocation will be held Wednesday, December 9, from 8:00-8:30AM in the Convention Center Arena. The Keynote Address by Andrew Weil immediately follows the Convocation.
SUNDAY KEYNOTE: Philip Zimbardo's Keynote (Sunday, Dec 13) has been extended to two hours (11:30 AM-1:30 PM).
NEW! Viktor Frankl Event: Alex Vesely, the grandson of Viktor Frankl, will premiere and discuss the biographical film, Viktor and I that he directed and produced, Thursday evening from 8:00 to 9:30 PM in Hilton Pacific Ballroom. This wonderful opportunity is not to be missed!
LUNCHES: There will be many convenient dining options during conference lunch breaks, with many restaurants in the Hotels and within walking distance of Evolution. Box lunches will be available for purchase at the Convention Center. In addition, there are fast food outlets in both the Marriott and Hilton.
DANCE PARTY: The Evolution Dance Party will be held in the Hilton Ballrooms on Friday evening, December 11, from 8:30 to 10:30 PM. All are invited. Ballroom exhibitions/lessons are in one ballroom, a dance band in the other.
PARKING: For those commuting to the Conference, discount self-parking is available with no in/out privileges at the Marriott ($14, please show name badge), and Hilton ($10). Parking also is available at the Convention Center. Follow the signs from Katella Blvd or West Street. For a parking map go to: www.AnaheimConventionCenter.com
HOTEL RESERVATIONS: The Marriott is now filled and can no longer accommodate reservations. Rooms are available at the Hilton—but only a few. Additional hotels are a short walk from the Conference venues. Please make your hotel reservations immediately, if you have not done so already. For hotel links see: www.EvolutionOfPsychotherapy.com.
CONFERENCE ATTENDEE PERKS: The Anaheim Hilton will extend use of their state-of-the-art Health Club for the discount rate of $9 per day, or a $35 length-of-stay pass, to conference attendees showing their Evolution badges.
BULLETIN BOARD: Want to know about ride-sharing? Want to find a roommate? Post notices on our Bulletin Board accessed at www.EvolutionOfPsychtotherapy.com.
TWITTER and FACEBOOK: Please follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Twitter will be especially valuable during the Conference as a way of quickly sharing information. Exhibitors will promote special offers on Twitter. See www.EvolutionOfPsychotherapy.com for information.
PRE-CONFERENCE EVENT: Space is still available for the Pre-Conference workshop featuring Daniel Amen and Andrew Weil. Learn the latest in Body-Mind Medicine! Registration for the Pre-Conference closes November 25, 2009. The Pre-Conference workshop is not available for purchase on-site.
POST-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS: Post-Conference workshops feature Erv Polster and me. Erv and I offered a similar program at the Brief Therapy Conference in December, 2008, and it was one of the most highly rated events. Each of us will offer demonstration therapies and comment on the other’s work.
The Pre-and Post-Conference events require separate registration, easily taken care of at the Evolution website. You also can register for the Post-Conference when you are in Anaheim.
AIRPORT AND SHUTTLE: The closest airport is Orange County, John Wayne, but transportation from Los Angeles International Airport is very good. For discounted shuttle coupons see www.supershuttle.com and use the Group Discount Code: 4GVRF. Also: Disneyland Shuttle: www.evolutionofpsychotherapy.com/pages/5_dollars_off_tour.pdf.
Hilton Health Club: Gold and Platinum members can use it for free. A discount fee is liisted in the Syllabus.
And, in Conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to read this information letter. If you have any questions regarding your registration, please e-mail miltonerickson@cmehelp.com or call 651-789-3740. If you have questions related to the Conference, please call 602-956-6196 or e-mail office@erickson-foundation.org.
Visit the Conference Web site for updated Conference information including: program changes, session handouts to print and bring with you, FREE audio downloads, additional hotel accommodations, tourist information, discount Disneyland tickets, discounts at restaurants, on line restaurant reservation options, and more! The newest version of the program can be found on the home page: www.evolutionofpsychotherapy.com
On behalf of the Faculty and Staff of the Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference, we thank you for registering for this landmark Conference. We look forward to meeting with you in a few weeks.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey K. Zeig, Ph.D. - Director,
The Milton H. Erickson Foundation, Inc.
P.S. The last early registration deadline is November 25, 2009. Please inform colleagues.
PLEASE NOTE: The Syllabus for the Conference is now online at www.evolutionofpsychotherapy.com/syllabus. You will receive a print copy when you arrive at the Conference, but you can study the syllabus on line before attending the Conference. It has the most complete and up-to-date information about the Conference.
