Conference Early Returns, Questions & Updates - 3/7/09

Sat Mar 7 13:57:22 EST 2009

- SENDING BROCHURE ELECTRONICALLY
- CONNECTING IN ORLANDO WITH FOLKS FROM MID-MICHIGAN
- EARLY RETURNS 
- LDS HALF DAY TRAINING - FREE
- CAN NON-PROFESSIONALS ATTEND THE TRAINING INSTITUTES?
- VOLUNTEERS, EXHIBITS & ROOMMATES

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-  SENDING BROCHURE ELECTRONICALLY

I've had several inquires about how to forward the brochure electronically,
it's best to send the link rather than to try to forward an attachment.
It's a full-color, 24 page brochure and apparently some systems can't digest
the large attachment.

Send an email that includes this link and then people can try different
downloads to find one that works for their system:
http://www.smartmarriages.com/download.brochure.html

It's also a great help if you can post a link on your website. I've heard
from many who have seen the link and info on various websites or who forward
your newslists to me, so I know who you are and I THANK you!!  We can't
change the world unless we reach it.

##################################
- CONNECTING IN ORLANDO WITH FOLKS FROM MID-MICHIGAN

> Hi Diane,
>  Kick me if this information is already available at smartmarriages.com    
> This will be my first conference and I was wondering if there is way to find
> out in advance who will be attending the conference from mid-Michigan.
> M. W. 

No kicks for you - the info is not available on the website. Hope you didn't
waste too much time searching.  This information will be available at the
conference.  At the Smart Marriages Registration Desk lists of all
registrants  arranged by state and city are available which makes it easy to
see who is there from your region.  You can then post a note on the message
board and arrange to meet for coffee or sit together at the banquets or
lunches.  This seems to work very well. The Message Boards see HEAVY use. No
way to make this info available in advance. I can tell you that more than
200 folks have attended a conference from Michigan and that 44 attended last
year.  

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- EARLY RETURNS 
While I was looking up Michigan, I looked up this year's registrations
sorted by state and was stunned to see that SO FAR twice as many folks are
registered from CALIFORNIA  as from any other state including Florida.
What's going on?!  I guess they attended last year in San Francisco and want
to be sure to get a spot in their favorite sessions.

And, by the way, I was also interested to see that PREP in the Workplace
#108 is in top place for training Institutes.  It's early, things may
change, but it's fun to see how the early registrations come in.

You do not need prior Prep Training to take this Institute:
> 108 Two Days - Tuesday & Wednesday, July 7 & 8
> PREP: Winning in the Workplace
> Tim Gardner, MA, DMin, Jack Myrick
> Qualify to teach the proven methods of the PREP program in this new curriculum
> created to address the unique challenges of teaching relationship skills in
> the workplace. $100 spouse discount. Click for more information:
> http://www.smartmarriages.com/prep.workplace.html

Register online here for the Institutes or the full conference:
http://gotomylist.com/cme/smc05/smc09rf2.cfm

#################################
- LDS HALF DAY TRAINING - FREE

This was just added yesterday.  Spread the word to all your LDS colleagues.

> 118 Half Day - Wednesday, 1-5:30pm, July 8  € FREE  € No CEU
> What¹s Happening in LDS Marriage Education
> Wallace Goddard, PhD, James Marshall, PhD
> Come learn from and share with colleagues about what¹s happening in LDS
> marriage education: programs, books, retreats, and policy and get ideas for
> your own marriage strengthening efforts. This gathering is free, open to all,
> and you can attend any part of the session (late arrivals welcome.) No
> registration is required but please e-mail to confirm your plans to attend so
> we can reserve adequate space: wgoddard at uaex.edu.

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- CAN NON-PROFESSIONALS ATTEND THE TRAINING INSTITUTES?

> Mike and I would like to attend the two day sessions of Harvel Hendrick &
> Helen Hunt's Imago Therapy. We are "the public," that is, not educators,
> clergy or therapists. Is this appropriate?  Can we just register for this
> pre-institute offering?  - DM

Yes, you can register just for this pre-conference session without attending
the Conference. Just complete the online forms or fax in your registration -
note the institute price is different - there are *with conference* and a
*without the conference* prices.

I can understand your question about whether the *Public* should attend
something that's called *TRAINING*.  However I can assure you that couples
and singles attend Training Institutes and report that *they get so much out
of it*.   It's of great benefit to hear the core concepts in these day-long
sessions - what makes marriages succeed or fail. And, oftentimes, after they
see what it's all about, these *just public* attendees they decide they do
want to become lay marriage or family educators after all.

The public is also very much encouraged to attend the full conference  I
can assure you that you'll blend in.  We do not designate degrees or
affiliations on badges, and remember educators and experts also have
marriages and relationships - so we're really all in the same boat, all
there to also improve our own relationships.

ALSO, let's revisit the Institute pricing differential.  Institutes are
deeply discounted for those that also attend the conference which means, in
effect, you can add on the full conference for only $230 each. The
Conference includes an additional 3-hour Imago demonstration by Harville and
Helen on Fri night (Imago Dialogue Live) which is a *don't miss* event and
which I'm sure you'd enjoy after the two-day training.  You'll have had all
day Thursday and Friday to have digested the material and would very much
benefit by seeing a refresher as they put the principles into action.

PLUS, at the Conference, you'll have access to 200 of the country's top
marriage and relationship experts.  The conference includes 22 keynote
sessions, 3 Lunches (Thurs, Fri, & Sat), and you can chose among 140
90-minute workshops.  Check the brochure and you'll see the amazing topics:
Mating in Captivity; Marriage - An Inside Job; Hold Me Tight; Shared Goals;
Couples Sexual Styles; The Sexy Brain; 5 Keys to Successful Marriages
.....and so on. 

Let me explain the pricing:
If you attend only the Institute Mike pays $370 for the two days and you pay
$270 (that's the *institute only* price with the spouse discount).  That's
$640 total.  

You can add on the full conference for both of you for an additional $460 -
only  $230 each. That's taking the spouse discount on the Conference and the
Institute and because the price of the Institute drops to the $440 *with
conference* price. 

If you attend only the Imago Institute, Tues and Wed, you might want to
attend the Gary Chapman banquet Tues night: The Five Languages of Apology.
Tickets are $39 per person.

NOTE: I will add this to the FAQs page and encourage readers you to read
other questions posted.  And, send yours.  - diane
http://www.smartmarriages.com/faqs.html

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- VOLUNTEERS, EXHIBITS & ROOMMATES

Yes, I still need Student Volunteers.
http://www.smartmarriages.com/volunteers.html

Yes, there is still space for Exhibits.
http://www.smartmarriages.com/exhibits.html

 Yes, there are people looking for roommates to split costs.
http://www.smartmarriages.com/roommates.html

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13th Annual Smart Marriages® Conference, Shingle Creek Resort,
Orlando, Florida, July 6-12, 2009 (General Conference July 8-11)
Pre-Conference Training Institutes July 6-8
Post-Conference Training Institutes July 12

Shingle Creek Resort: http://www.rosenshinglecreek.com/

Conference schedule, registration, & exhibit information:
http://www.smartmarriages.com/conferencedetails.html

List your program and resources on the Directory of Classes at
http://www.smartmarriages.com/directory_browse.html

Order conference audio & video CD/DVD/MP3s: 800-241-7785 or
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