First Dance/Last Post - See you in Atlanta - 6/06

Fri Jun 16 21:29:25 EDT 2006

- NEW PROGRAMS
- THE FIRST DANCE
- SEE YOU IN ATLANTA
- BADGE MAILING LETTERS
- WHEN DOES IT REALLY START?
- ADDING SESSIONS

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- NEW PROGRAMS   

I can start to seem like we've already thought of every which way to
approach marriage education but each year I am dazzled all over again by the
wonderful range of new programs - new ideas and new ways to get the
information "out there".  I went over this with a reporter this morning and
there is so much new stuff I was amazed, I hadn't added it up - Doherty -
First Dance; Markman - Love Your Relationship; Van Epp - Marriage Links;
Hendrix/Hunt - IMAGO Connects; Rodgers - Soul Healers Leader Training; Arps
- 10 Great Dates for Black Couples; Halford - Couple Care; Larson - Healthy
Marriage Weight Loss; Love/McFadden - Love Education; Jones - Exploring
Relationships with Fragile Families; Heitler - Marriage Games, etc etc etc
......the list is long and exciting.  And, many new interactive websites.
And, just wait till you see the exhibits.  This is good because as Scott
Stanley will explain in his banquet keynote, "Skating to Where the Puck is
Going to Be" the focus for the coming decade will be DELIVERY - getting this
stuff "out there".  - diane
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- THE FIRST DANCE

I also realized today, that of all the new programs, The First Dance is
probably going to win the prize for most media attention. I think that's
because it targets a totally new phase/stage: WEDDINGS". And, weddings
appeal to so many single 20 & 30-something reporters and/or the reporters
with 20-30-something daughters.  We marriage educators have been focused on
engagement and premarital education and then we fast forward to "newlyweds"
and the "becoming parents". We've been skipping right over the wedding,
itself, saying couples and clergy are "too focused on preparing for the
wedding and not enough on preparing for the marriage". This program
capitalizes on the couple's intense wedding focus - joins with them "where
they're at" - and uses the wedding planning process to help them hone
communication skills, manage family dynamics, AND, in the process, lay a
strong foundation for their marriage so that they get to that first dance
with their extended families intact, connected, and all aglow.

The First Dance website won't be interactive until next Tuesday, June 20th
but they're giving Smart Marriages list subscribers a sneak preview.
http://www.thefirstdance.com/

On Thursday, Elizabeth will be set up at the First Dance exhibit in Atlanta.
And, on Sunday, Bill Doherty and Elizabeth Doherty Thomas will introduce the
program in a 2 hour Mini Training.  Leave ready to teach the program in your
community or congregation.

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- SEE YOU IN ATLANTA

We should have the Smart Marriages office up and running and able to take
calls by 2pm Monday, June 19 at the Marriott Marquis. The walk-in
Registration Desk will open 3-6pm Monday and again at 7am on Tuesday - and
at 7am every morning through the conference.

To reach Smart Marriages in Atlanta call 1-404-521-000 and ask for the Smart
Marriages Desk - ext 6211 or 6260. For additional info, see the web site,
http://www.smartmarriages.com/conferencedetails.html

We'll have 2,000 attendees, but because of "movable walls" and lots of
creative juggling, there is still room in the conference sessions. Register
on-site.

Those of you coming to Atlanta, see you soon!  The newslist will be down for
several weeks. Watch the papers, the Today Show, etc....and please email me
any coverage you see. - diane

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- BADGE MAILING LETTERS

If you registered and didn't receive your badge, we apologize -  but not to
worry.  We'll have all records with us and we'll get you fixed up at the
Registration Desk.  We didn't mail badges to those that live outside the
U.S. - and that's a bunch of you! And, we didn't mail them if your
registration wasn't quite complete, or you registered too late.

If you didn't get your badge, please go to the website and read the BADGE
MAILING LETTER -- full of info -- transportation from the airport, what to
wear, etc.  Go to: http://www.smartmarriages.com/conferencedetails.html
Click the badge letter in the lefthand column under the puzzle piece. You
need to click on two pdfs - the first page and pages 2 - 4.  Lots to read,
but it will answer most of your questions.    - diane

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WHEN DOES IT REALLY START?

>> When does the conference really start?  There are so many pre & post sessions
>> that it is not clear when the conference really starts? I mean the part that
>> your BASIC conference registration covers - the $325 fee.
> 
> The main conference starts at 6:30pm Thurs June 22 with the opening keynote
> featuring Wade Horn and Hedy Schleifer. It ends on Sun at 50pm.  Unless you're
> staying for the Sun night banquet, "Flying Our Flags" with Mark Gungor.  The
> first pre-conference institutes start Tues, June 20 at 8am, but Institutes
> require a separate registration and fee.
> 
> Diane 

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- ADDING SESSIONS
> Hi Diane,
>  
> We are registered for the conference and will also be attending both Pre
> and Post Sessions.  We would like find out if we can still register for the
> Sunday evening banquet.   K

Just come to the Smart Marriages Registration desk to add the banquet or any
other session or Institute.  For the Sun night banquet, you must do so by
Sat at 10am.  They'll print you a new badge.
Diane 

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10th Annual Smart Marriages Conference, Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel,
June 22-25, 2006
Download the brochure and registration form at
http://www.smartmarriages.com/Brochure.06.pdf

List your program in the Directory of Classes at
http://www.smartmarriages.com

Order conference audio & videos/CD/DVD/MP3s: 800-241-7785 or at
http://www.iPlaybackSmartMarriages.com

Coalition for Marriage, Family and Couples Education, LLC (CMFCE)
Diane Sollee, Director
5310 Belt Rd NW
Washington, DC 20015-1961
http://www.smartmarriages.com
202-362-3332 
diane at smartmarriages.com