Breakthrough - Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation

Nonprofit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Suburban MD
Permit #5857
Conference
Registration
Inside!
Setting Conference Fees a Challenge
for the Foundation, Board of Directors
Conference
Information
Choosing the best location for the biennial
conference is the first challenge
in hosting such a large event (see the
Spring 2003 issue of Breakthrough), but
it’s certainly not the biggest challenge of
the planning process.
The biennial conference is one of the
largest line items in the OI Foundation’s
budget. Without careful planning, hosting
the conference can have a significant
impact on all of the Foundation’s
support and information programs.
“Planning for the national conference
is a constant balancing act,” according
to Bill Bradner, the OI Foundation’s Director
of Communications and Events.
“We’re striving to constantly increase
the level of service and the scope of the
program and events at conference, while
keeping registration fees as low as possible
to make it affordable for everyone.”
The conference registration fees have
not significantly increased in the last
eight years, due in large part to the efforts
of the Board of Directors and the
Conference Planning Committee. In
fact, in 2002, conference fees were lowered,
thanks to the efforts of a group of
board members and volunteers who created
and managed the Fine Wines,
Strong Bones fundraising event to offset
conference costs.
Unfortunately, while the registration
fees have remained stable over the past
eight years, the costs associated with
hosting the conference have increased
significantly.
“In the last ten years, the charges for
audio/visual support and meals at hotels
have almost tripled, industry wide,” according
to Bradner. “In spite of that, the
Foundation’s managed to increase the
number of speakers and programs at
Continued on page 15
Deadlines
page 9
Sessions & Topics
page 10
Registration
Center Insert
Namebadges Required
page 11
Wheelchair/Oxygen Travel
page 12
Hotel Reservations
page 13
Travel Tips
page 12,14
“Buddies” Wanted
page 15
Breakthrough Winter 2004 Page 20