FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Have a conference question? Check out our conference FAQ to see if we have an answer for you.

Email Shellee Chen at shelleec@thenationalcouncil.org if you can't find what you're looking for.

General Information
When is the National Council Conference?
Who attends the conference?
Do you accept workshop proposals?
Where will the conference be held?
What is the conference dress code?

Registration
How do I register?
What does the conference registration include?
Which meals are provided?
Will I receive written confirmation of my registration?
When/where will I get my registration materials?
What is your cancellation policy?
What is your substitution policy?
Do you accommodate special needs?

Continuing Education
Can I get continuing education credits (CEs) at your conference?
How many credits will I receive if I attend your conference?
Is there an additional fee for CEs?
Can I get a certificate of completion?

Conference Lingo
What are Preconference Universities?
What are General Sessions and Thought Leaders?
What are conference tracks?
What are workshops?

General Information
When is the National Council Conference?
The conference will be held April 15-17, 2012. Preconference programs will be held on April 14, 2012.

Sessions are currently scheduled to begin at 8:30 am on Sunday, April 15 and end around 1:00 pm on Tuesday, April 17.

Who attends your conference?

Organizations
Community-based providers
Provider sponsored networks
County groups, administrators, commissioners
Partnerships of providers/managed care entities
Risk-bearing providers/integrators of care
FQHCs
Substance Abuse Providers
Authorities
Government
Mental Health Boards

People
Community-based advocates
Psychiatrists
Administrators
Social workers
Researchers
Academics
CEOs
Direct care staff

Do you accept workshop proposals?
Yes, but the call for proposals for the 2012 conference is now closed.

Where will the conference be held?
The conference will be held at the Hilton Chicago in Chicago, IL.

Address:
720 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60605

Reservations Phone: 877-865-5320

Reservations Website: Click here

The room rate is $239 plus taxes.

What is the conference dress code?
Dress is business casual for daytime events. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring a sweater for chilly meeting rooms.

Registration
How do I register?
Register online here or download the registration form.

What does the conference registration include?
Your conference registration includes:

• All sessions in all tracks, April 15-17
• Admission to the Expo Hall
• Registration packets
• Access to all session handouts
• Continuing Education credits
• Conference meals — Continental Breakfast on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, and lunch on Sunday and Monday

Separate registration is required for the

• Middle Management Academy
• WRAP Training
• Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training
• Preconference Universities
• Celebration of Excellence Awards Dinner

Which meals are provided?
Conference meals — Continental Breakfast on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, and lunch on Sunday and Monday.

Will I receive written confirmation of my registration?
Yes. Online registrations will receive email confirmation shortly after they are submitted. Faxed and mailed registrations will receive confirmation via email as soon as they are processed.

When/where will I get my registration materials?
All registration materials will be available for pick up at the Hilton Chicago during posted conference registration hours, beginning Friday, April 13, at 4:00pm. Registration for Pre-conference sessions will be open on Friday evening and Saturday morning.

Please note, this a paperless conference. Handouts will not be provided in workshop rooms but can be printed as needed prior to arriving onsite (handout files will be accessible to registrants about 1 week before the conference).

What is your cancellation policy?
Refunds for cancellations must be submitted in writing and faxed to the 42nd Annual National Council Conference at 216-378-1450. A service fee of $75 will be deducted from all refund of cancellation requests received prior to March 15, 2012. Fees are not refunded after March 15, 2012.
Registrants who do not cancel prior to March 15, 2012 and do not attend will be responsible for the full registration fee. Download the cancellation form here.

What is your substitution policy?
Registrants unable to attend the meeting may send an alternate. Substitution requests must be submitted in writing and faxed to the 42nd Annual National Council Conference at 216-378-1450. A service fee of $25 will be charged for each substitution. Faxed substitutions must be received by March 15, 2012. Participant or organization will be responsible for the fee. Download the substitution form here.

Do you accommodate special needs?
Persons with disabilities as defined by American Disabilities Act and requiring conference access and/or reasonableaccommodation and access to learning materials that are prepared specifically for the conference should notify the National Council of this need during the registration process so that accommodation is met.

Continuing Education
Can I get continuing education credits (CEs) at your conference?
We offer APA, ASWB, NBCC, NAADAC, NASBA, and Healthcare Compliance (CCB) CEs as well as many state specific CEs for eligible sessions.  We expect to have CME credit available this year. A list of courses and which CEs they are approved for will be posted to our website a couple of weeks before the conference.

How many credits will I receive if I attend your conference?
Specific hours awarded will depend on the certificate type you are requesting. Generally, the Preconference Institutes offer 6.5 contact hours for the full day and 3.5 contact hours for half a day. Workshops are 1.5 contact hours; Plenary & Thought Leader Sessions are 1 contact hour.

Is there an additional fee for CEs?
No, CEs are included in your conference registration.

Can I get a certificate of completion?
Attendees will be mailed a certificate of attendence only if they request one within 30 days of the conference.

Conference Lingo
What are Preconference Sessions?
Preconference Sessions are full or half-day sessions that provide intensive learning opportunities on topics of critical importance in today’s healthcare environment. Preconference Sessions are held on the day prior to the conference (this year most of them are on Saturday, April 14). Registration for Preconference Sessions is separate from conference registration and there is an additional fee for these programs.

What are General Sessions and Thought Leaders?
General Sessions and Thought Leader Sessions — open to all attendees — are designed to present stimulating, big picture ideas that will provide a framework for all other learning experiences during the conference.

What are conference tracks?
Conference sessions are labeled with a track to identify the subjects addressed in the session. You may choose to follow one track throughout the conference or pick and choose sessions from any track.

What are workshops?
Workshops are 1.5 hour sessions held between Sunday, April 15 through Tuesday, April 17. Workshops attendance is on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early!