All convention activities will take place at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo, Two Fountain Plaza, Buffalo, New York 14202; 1-800-223-1234; www.buffalo.hyatt.com.

ICEA convention room rates are $119 per day single or double plus tax. These rates are available to convention registrants from October 21 through October 26, 2008. Hotel reservation information will be sent with your convention confirmation. Hotel check-in is 4 pm and check-out is 12 noon. To ensure a room at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo, room reservations should be submitted as soon as possible. Rooms at the special convention rate may not be available after September 19, 2008.

ICEA COST-EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDES:

• Selection from daily concurrent sessions
  
• Attendance at all general sessions
  
• Opportunity to earn contact hours
  
• Opportunity to receive basic doula and labor support training
  
• Opportunity to receive training as a childbirth educator
  
• Opportunity to receive training as a postnatal educator
  
• Opportunity to receive training as a perinatal fitness educator
  
• Exhibits of interest to perinatal health care professionals
  
• Breakfast Thursday (Doula/CBE training), Friday, Saturday mornings
  
• Lunch Thursday (Doula/CBE training), Friday, and Saturday
  
• Box dinner Friday
  
• ICEA welcome reception Thursday evening
  
• Access to the on-site ICEA Bookcenter

REGISTRATION

Fees are listed on the registration form. All registrations must be mailed with full payment. To receive the early discount, the registration form and complete fee must be received by September 1, 2008. Faxed registrations are accepted at 919/863-9487. Full payment must be included using credit card payment. Confirmations will be sent within two weeks of receiving your registration. The confirmation will act as your receipt for registration fees received by ICEA. Questions about registration may be sent to Convention Coordinator, ICEA, 1500 Sunday Dr. Suite 102, Raleigh, NC 27607 USA or call 919/863-9487. Email info@icea.org.

All registration fees must be in US funds. Checks and bank drafts must be payable through a US bank. Visa and MasterCard are accepted.

CONVENTION RESOURCE MANUAL
The convention resource manual will be available online (www.icea.org) for registrants to download from October 10 through November 10, 2008. A bound convention resource manual will NOT be available on-site.

VOLUNTEER!
Would you like to be more involved with the convention core? Volunteer opportunities may include being a greeter for one or two sessions and/or a session announcer. You can volunteer without missing sessions. Written instructions are given to each volunteer. Check the appropriate space on the registration form to become an ICEA convention volunteer.

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS (CEUs)
Registrants may earn fifteen ICEA contact hours for the Perinatal Fitness Educator Training Workshop and for the Postnatal Educator Training Workshop, twenty-four ICEA contact hours for the Doula and Labor Support Training Workshop and Childbirth Educator Training Workshop, and eighteen ICEA contact hours for convention sessions scheduled Thursday through Saturday.

It is the responsibility of the individual participant to ascertain whether this offering meets Board of Nursing rules on mandatory continuing education in the participant's state/province. The registrant must attend the entire session to receive continuing education for that session.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
The ICEA 2008 convention is designed for childbirth, perinatal fitness and parent educators, doulas, nurses of all educational backgrounds, midwives, physicians, consumers, other health care professionals, and those who work with women in any childbirth-related field. The program offers a variety of topics related to education, health care and counseling needs of childbearing families. Upon completion of the convention core, participants will be able to:

• identify physical and emotional factors which affect a healthy pregnancy and pregnancy outcome
  
• describe new approaches to pregnancy, birth and early postpartum
  
• describe educational opportunities, teaching methods, medical management techniques and counseling skills which can be used in working with families during the childbearing year
  
• identify special needs of families during the childbearing year
  
• establish an agenda for positive change

EXAMINATION
The ICEA certification examination will be given Thursday from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm. All prerequisites must be submitted to ICEA with the special examination fee of $99 if registered for the convention, $200 if not registered for the convention, no later than September 1, 2008. For more information, write ICEA Certification Programs, 1500 Sunday Dr. Suite 102, Raleigh, NC 27607 USA.

EXHIBITS
A variety of organizations and companies providing services and products for childbearing families and educators will exhibit Thursday and Friday. Exhibits will open Thursday at 3:30 pm and close Friday at 6:30 pm, with an Exhibitors' Drawing for registrants Saturday morning at 7:30 am. Registrants must wear convention name tags to enter exhibit hall. Convention Exhibit Hall will be open to the public Friday, October 24, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

SILENT AUCTION
A silent auction will be held Friday afternoon. Members are encouraged to donate items to benefit the ICEA Scholarship Fund. Full details will be included with the convention confirmation letter.

ICEA BOOKCENTER
The ICEA on-site Bookcenter will open at 3:30 pm on Thursday. A selection of books and teaching aids will be featured, as well as books authored by convention speakers. Registrants must wear name tags to enter the Bookcenter and to receive the convention discount.

BREASTFEEDING INFANTS
Breastfeeding infants under three months of age who remain quiet may attend sessions with parents. Most parents find it helpful to bring a support person to watch their babies outside meeting rooms between feedings. If you bring a baby to the convention, please respect the needs of other registrants and care for your baby outside the room if s/he becomes noisy or if you are asked to do so.

ROOMMATE SEARCH
Looking for someone to share a room with during the convention? Check the appropriate box on the registration form and include your e-mail address. ICEA will post this information on our web site.

CANCELLATIONS
All refund requests must be submitted in writing to ICEA. Refund requests will not be accepted if received after August 1, 2008. A nonrefundable $100 processing fee will be retained in all cases. If registration was made as a nonmember, the $85 ICEA membership fee is not refundable. After August 1, you may find a substitute to use your registration if you notify ICEA in advance. No exceptions can or will be made.

U.S. TAX CREDIT
United States residents should consult their tax advisors concerning possible deductibility of this offering.