Dates and Location
Congress Highlights
Registration, Fees and Deadlines
Hotel Reservations
Transportation
Education Sessions, CEUs and CD-ROMs
Special Events
Chapter Dinner
Exhibits
Saint Bernard Project
APWA Blood Drive

Dates and Location

When and where will Congress be held?
Congress will be held August 17 - 20 at the New Orleans Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Congress Highlights

Opening General Session	Sunday, August 17, 10 a.m.
Exposition Opening	Sunday, August 17, Noon
Get Acquainted Party	Sunday, August 17, 4:30 p.m.
Awards Program	Monday, August 18, 5 p.m.
Chapter Dinners	Tuesday, August 19
Closing General Session	Wednesday, August 20, 11 a.m.
Reception & Banquet	Wednesday, August 20, 6 p.m.
Stormwater Summit	Wednesday, August 20
Workshop Wednesday	Wednesday, August 20

Registration, Fees and Deadlines

Can I register online?
Yes. Click here to register online.

Are there other ways to register?
Yes. Mail your Pre-Registration Forms to:

You can register onsite, during Congress. You can also fax your Pre-Registration Forms to: 817-277-7616.

What are the hours* for onsite registration?

Saturday, August 16	7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, August 17	7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Monday, August 18	7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, August 19	7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, August 20	7 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

*Times are subject to change. Registration is located in the D Lobby of the New Orleans Convention Center.

Can I register to visit the exhibitor floor only?
Yes. The cost is $35 per day.

Who do I talk to if I have questions about registration or payment?
All questions regarding registration or payment should be directed to APWA Registration at 817-277-7187, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. CDT.

I have registered for Congress but am unable to attend. Can another member from my agency go in my place?
Yes. You may have a colleague substitute for you. Send a fax to: 817-277-7616
Or mail a letter to:

How much does it cost to attend Congress?
Click here to see registration fees.

Is there a special APWA membership offer to nonmembers and how do I take advantage of this offer? Where do I send my registration and application forms?
Nonmembers can take advantage of this opportunity to register for the 2008 International Public Works Congress and Exposition and also join APWA for one full year. This offer will provide you with a one-year individual membership in the American Public Works Association (a $133 value!) when you register for Congress at the nonmember price. Simply register at the nonmember price and also mark the box indicated on the registration form to receive your one-year membership. This offer is valid only for new APWA members. Click here to register online. For more information, contact APWA Member Services at 800-848-2792.

If I fax in my membership application am I still able to take advantage of the member rates for Congress?
APWA must receive payment for membership dues before you can take advantage of the member registration rates for Congress. Membership payment should be sent to APWA, P.O. Box 802296, Kansas City, MO 64180-2296 or you can pay by American Express, MasterCard or VISA. Call 800-848-2792 or click here to join online.

Is there an Early Bird Discount?
Yes. If register before June 20, 2008 you can save $50 on Full Congress rates. Click here to see registration fees.

What is the deadline for pre-registration?
The deadline for pre-registration is August 1, 2008. After that date, registration will be onsite only.

How do I register my family?
To download the guest/spouse registration form, click here.

What is your cancellation policy?
All cancellations or requests for refunds must be made in writing. A full refund, less a $50 administrative fee will be issued if written notice is postmarked by July 17, 2008. No refunds will be issued on requests made after July 17, 2008. All refunds will be issued no later than 30 days after Congress.

Hotel Reservations

Housing is now open! Click here to reserve your room online. To download a reservation form to mail or fax, click here. Please note: only one room may be reserved at a time.

Stay at one of the official Congress hotels and save on lodging and transportation to and from Congress activities. APWA has negotiated great rates for all attendees. Complimentary shuttle service will operate from all the official Congress hotels. Click here to see a map of the downtown area for hotel locations.

Which hotel is Congress headquarters?
The Hilton New Orleans Riverside is this year’s Congress headquarters hotel.

What are the Congress hotels and room rates?
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
Two Poydras Street
$150

Embassy Suites Hotel New Orleans
315 Julia Street
$140

Doubletree Hotel New Orleans
300 Canal Street
$135

JW Marriott Hotel
614 Canal Street
$145 Single/Double

Marriott Convention Center
859 Convention Center Blvd.
$145 Single/Double

New Orleans Marriott
555 Canal Street
$135 Single/Double

Room rates are subject to 13% state and local tax (subject to change) and occupancy tax when applicable.

All hotel requests are processed on an availability basis.

INTERNET RESERVATIONS

Click here to reserve your hotel room.

FAXED RESERVATIONS

Faxed reservations should be faxed to APWA/NOMCVB Housing Bureau at:

Domestic Fax Number: 1-800-521-6017
International Fax Number: 1-847-940-2386

MAILED RESERVATIONS

To make your reservations by mail, send to:

NOMCVB/APWA Housing Bureau
108 Wilmot Road, Suite 400
Deerfield, IL 60015-5124

TELEPHONE RESERVATIONS

Reservations can be made by telephone Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST.

Domestic Phone Number: 1-800-424-5250
International Phone Number: 1-847-940-2153

CONFIRMATIONS

APWA/NOMCVB Housing Bureau will send you a confirmation of your reservation. Please review all information for accuracy. If you have changes or do not receive your confirmation, please contact the APWA/NOMCVB Housing Bureau at 1-800-424-5250 or 1-847-940-2153 for International callers or by email at apwa@experient-inc.com.

MAKING RESERVATIONS/TAXES

To take advantage of the special APWA rates, please make your reservation by Friday, July 18, 2008. Reservations can continue to be made through the APWA/NOMCVB Housing Bureau through Wednesday, July 23, 2008 on a hotel and rate availability basis. Beginning July 26, 2008 all reservations must be made directly with the hotels.

All rates are per room and are subject to 13% state and local tax (subject to change) plus an occupancy tax when applicable. Special requests cannot be guaranteed; however, hotels will do their best to honor all requests. Hotels will assign specific room types upon check-in, based on availability.

Special requests cannot be guaranteed; however, hotels will do their best to honor all requests. Hotels will assign specific room types upon check-in, based on availability.

DEPOSITS

A $150.00 U.S. deposit is required for each room ($300.00 US for a one-bedroom suite). Major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover) are accepted and must be valid through August 2009.

Checks are also accepted. Checks must be in US Dollars and drawn on a U.S. Bank and made payable to APWA/Experient.

SUITES

Suites must be requested in writing via email at apwa@experient-inc.com or by fax 1-800-521-6017 or 1-847-940-2386 International. All suites are subject to APWA approval.

CANCELLATIONS

Reservations may be cancelled and a full refund will be issued if room is cancelled by Wednesday, July 23, 2008. Refunds will be made in the same form of payment as originally submitted.

Reservations cancelled after Wednesday, July 23, 2008 must be made directly with the hotel. Hotel will process all cancellations. Reservations cancelled after July 23, 2008 but prior to 72 hours of arrival will be subject to a $17.00 processing fee.

Cancellations made within 72 hours of arrival will result in forfeiture of the entire deposit.

CHANGES

Contact the NOMCVB/APWA Housing Bureau for all changes until Wednesday, July 23, 2008. After Wednesday, July 23, 2008 all changes must be made directly with the hotel.

Transportation

Transportation is available to official congress hotels only.

What kinds of ground transportation are available to and from the airport?
The Louis Armstrong International Airport is 16 miles from the Central Business District and French Quarter. Airport Shuttle New Orleans is available for airport transportation to and from the Louis Armstrong International Airport. Current rates are $30 round trip; $15 one way. Service is available on a continuous basis with vans departing approximately every 30 minutes or call 504-522-3500. If wheelchair accessible service is needed please call the reservations department at 866-596-2699 for assistance.

Will shuttle service be available from the hotels to the convention center?
Complimentary shuttle service will be available to registered delegates between the New Orleans Convention Center and the official APWA Congress Hotels. All shuttles will pickup and drop off outside the Convention Center. Shuttle service will begin on Saturday, August 16 at 7 a.m. and operate during Congress hours until Wednesday, August 20.

Will ADA transportation be available? How do I make arrangements for this?
If you require assistance with ADA transportation or further assistance with the shuttle service, please call Dana Priddy at 816-595-5241 or by e-mail at dpriddy@apwa.net. Special transportation will be available during all peak shuttle times during Congress. Onsite requests during non-peak hours will be handled as expeditiously as possible.

Education Sessions, CEUs and CD-ROMs

Where can I find a listing of the education sessions?
Download a complete listing of education sessions in the Congress Preview.
You may also view the sessions by date or by subject.

What is a CEU?
.1 CEU = 1 PDH (Professional Development Hour)

APWA’s education sessions are eligible for CEU credit. The CEU is a nationally accepted measure of participation in continuing education activities, and by obtaining them, you can demonstrate to your employer that you are learning new skills and keeping current with changes in the industry. You’ll find instructions in your onsite materials about how to receive these valuable credits. To view the learning objectives for each session, visit www.apwa.net/meetings/congress/2008/attendee/education.asp.

Will recordings of the general sessions and education sessions be available for purchase?
Selected live audio digital recordings of the general sessions and the education sessions will be made available via a CD-ROM package series or online subscription. Additional content includes the speakers’ PowerPoint presentations, an exhibitor directory, and information about upcoming events. Full Congress registrants may order this package in advance at a discounted price of $119 by using the Congress Registration form or this package can be purchased onsite for $129. The post-Congress price will be $229, and available here.

What is APWA Central?
APWA Central—booth #2321—is APWA’s cyber-café booth on the exhibit floor. Attendees can check their e-mail or just sit and relax and visit with friends. People will also be able to visit APWA’s web resource, www.apwa.net, for more information about APWA.

Special Events

What are the special events this year?

First-Timers Meeting	Sunday, August 17, 7:30 a.m.
Mardi Gras Parade and Get Acquainted Party	Sunday, August 17, Parade at 4 and Party at the Aquarium at 4:30 p.m.
Progressive Women in Public Works Breakfast	Monday, August 18, 7:30 a.m.
Canadian Public Works Association (CPWA) Luncheon	Monday, August 18, 12 p.m.
Public Works Historical Society (PWHS) Luncheon	Monday, August 18, 12 p.m.
Awards Program	Monday, August 18, 5 p.m.
AAEE Breakfast	Tuesday, August 18, 7 a.m.
Diversity Brunch	Tuesday, August 19, 10 a.m.
Reception & Banquet	Wednesday, August 20, 6 p.m.
Stormwater Summit	Wednesday, August 20
Workshop Wednesday	Wednesday, August 20

When is the Banquet and what is the deadline for exchanging coupons for a ticket to the Banquet?
The Banquet will be Wednesday, August 20, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. Full registration includes a coupon for the Banquet that must be exchanged onsite in the registration area for a ticket. The deadline for Banquet ticket exchange is Tuesday, August 19 at 2 p.m.

What is the entertainment for this year’s Banquet?
SOUL (noun): The principle of life, feeling, thought and action in humans, regarded as a distinct entity separate from the body.

Join your APWA friends at this year’s closing Banquet, as we unlock the SOUL through an emotional, power-filled and recharging experience in the great city of New Orleans – where Soul and the Jazz Fest were born. Click here for more information.

Chapter Dinners

When are the chapter dinners and where can I find out where they are held?
Most chapter dinners are Tuesday, August 19. For information on chapter dinners, contact Rhonda Wilhite at 816-595-5261 or e-mail rwilhite@apwa.net.

Onsite in New Orleans, current information on chapter dinners will be available in the APWA Congress registration area at the New Orleans Convention Center.

Exhibits

When will the exhibits be open?
Sunday, August 17
Noon - 4 p.m.

Monday, August 18
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Tuesday, August 19
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

When is the non-compete time for exhibits?
Sunday, August 17
Noon – 2 p.m.
2:50 – 3:30 p.m.

Monday, August 18
10 – 10:30 a.m.
Noon – 2 p.m.

Tuesday, August 19
10:50 – 1:30 p.m.

Can I bring my child with me to visit the exhibits?
Yes. APWA allows children to visit the exhibit floor during regular exhibition hours. For safety, anybody under 18 must be registered onsite and be accompanied by an adult. The parent/guardian must assume all risk and is responsible for the safety of the child. Children can only be registered onsite beginning Saturday, August 16. No children will be allowed on the exhibit floor during installation and dismantling of the exhibits.

Saint Bernard Project

APWA and New Orleans Team Together!
APWA members, exhibitors and guests attending the 2008 Congress have an opportunity to make a direct impact in assisting the residents of the New Orleans area whose lives were forever changed by the destruction of Hurricane Katrina.

We need you to roll up your sleeves and help rebuild the homes and renew the way of life in this community. APWA through its Proud to Care Program will support the rebuild efforts by taking part in a two-day outreach program to rebuild homes in Saint Bernard Parish. No prior experience or skill set is needed; you will paint or assist with other similar projects enabling residents to move back into their neighborhoods and rebuild their lives in the community.

Opportunities will be available:
Friday, August 15, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 16, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Transportation from Congress hotels to the work site along with lunch, water and work supplies will be provided. Online registration will be available in early March. Click here for more complete information. Contact Brian Van Norman at bvannorman@apwa.net or 800-848-2792, ext. 5260 with questions.

For more information about the Saint Bernard Project visit www.stbernardproject.org.

APWA Blood Drive

Monday and Tuesday, August 18 and 19, 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Do you have 45 minutes to spare to save the life of another person? Did you know that every three seconds someone needs blood? One single donation can save as many as three lives and there is NO substitute for human blood.

APWA is proud to partner with The Blood Center of New Orleans, a not-for-profit center responsible for supplying blood and tissue to more than 40 hospitals throughout Southern Louisiana and lower Mississippi.

It's quick and easy! Prospective donors must first complete a health history questionnaire and go through a screening process. During the screening process a technician will take important vital signs, such as blood pressure, temperature, and an iron check. If all the requirements are met, a unit of blood is drawn from the donor. The actual blood collection takes approximately 15-20 minutes. The entire process from when you sign in to the time you leave takes about 45 minutes to one hour.

Anyone age 17 years or older, who weighs at least 110 pounds and is in good general health, may donate. Photo identification is required before beginning the donation process. (Some health conditions or medications may temporarily or permanently prevent persons from donating blood.)

Please join us in this vital effort. Come by the main entrance lobby, roll up your sleeve and save a life!