NSWPPA Annual Conference 2011 - Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Please note that during the conference, candid photographs will be taken and displayed.

2010 Annual Conference - Fort Street Jazz Band

Accommodation

I'm thinking about coming earlier or staying longer - what should I do?

How do I cancel my accommodation booking?

How do we keep in touch with what's going on?

The conference program and pocket program will have details of conference activities.
Each day the conference host will keep registrants informed of arrangements for conference events.
There will be an introductory conference newsletter available at registration

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How can others contact me?

The best way for others to contact you is via your mobile phone. Please make sure it is set to silent whilst you are in the conference room. (Donations to Stewart House apply)
Messages will be taken by the hotel staff or by the conference committee. All attempts will be made to find you if the message is urgent although, at times, this may not be possible. Please check the conference message board regularly.

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What is the 2011 conference theme?

This year’s conference theme is ‘New Wave - Leading and Learning’
The conference theme colours are aqua blue, yellow and red.

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Where are conference meals served?

Morning and afternoon tea will be served in the sponsor display area at the Sofitel Wentworth Sydney. (You will need to wear your conference name tag at all times.)
Buffet style lunches will be served in the sponsor and restaurant areas at the Sofitel Wentworth Sydney. (You will need to wear your name tag.)
A limited number of conference participants will be able to collect a voucher for a sit-down lunch on Level 5 of the hotel. Special vouchers will be available at the Registration Desk each day on a first-in, first-served basis.
If you have notified us that you have a special diet, you will need to check at the conference Registration Desk about the way to access your meals. Menus are available at the conference office but it is your responsibility to check with the hotel’s banquet staff to ensure the food offered is suitable for your needs.

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How should I dress?

Most participants come to the first day of the conference in professional attire (jacket and tie for men) and then dress less formally after that.
Some participants buy several conference T-shirts or polo-shirts as the mainstay of their conference dress.
Our suggestions for dress for specific occasions include:
- The Conference Opening Session: professional attire.
- Harbour Cruise: smart, casual dress. As we are on the harbour it may get a little chilly so bring a jacket.
- Reception for Public Education: professional attire.
- Conference Dinner – “Out of the Blue”
  - You may prefer evening or cocktail wear for women and a suit for men, or
  - You may also wish to dress in blue

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Why must I wear my name tag all the time?

name tags assist the committee and hotel staff with security by making it easy to identify conference participants. There have been occasions when we have had to ask non-conference visitors to leave the conference area.
We also request that all conference attendees wear their name tag at all times to facilitate collegiality.

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Will I be able to access my e-mail?

Complimentary e-mail facilities may be available. Check the program for details.
If you bring your own laptop, internet services are available (at your cost) from your hotel room.

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Is there an ATM at the hotel?

The nearest ATM is a Commonwealth Bank machine at the Bligh Street entrance to the Sofitel Wentworth Sydney.

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When will I get my vouchers for social functions etc?

Vouchers for social functions will be given to you in your package when you check-in at the registration desk.

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Are drinks included in the conference package?

The cost of drinks at the Welcome to Conference is subsidised for principals who are registered as residents on Tuesday evening; vouchers are $2.00 each.
Drinks are included in other evening and social activities.

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How should I dress?

Most participants come to the first day of the conference in professional attire (jacket and tie for men) and then dress less formally after that.
Some participants buy several conference T-shirts or polo-shirts as the mainstay of their conference dress.
Our suggestions for dress for specific occasions include:
- The Conference Opening Session: professional attire.
- Harbour Cruise: smart, casual dress. As we are on the harbour it may get a little chilly so bring a jacket.
- Reception for Public Education: Professional attire.
- Conference Dinner
  - You may prefer evening or cocktail wear for women and a suit for men, or
  - You may also wish to dress in aqua blue

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Will seats be allocated for the Dinner

Yes. Stickers will be issued at registration for those attending the dinner. Seating charts will be displayed during the conference. Tables are arranged in groups of ten. You will be able to organise your own seating arrangements. Why not start now?

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I am a day visitor, can I attend:

Welcome to Conference - yes, at a cost of $30 plus drinks.
Harbour Cruise - yes, at a cost of $120.
Reception – yes at a cost of $80.
Dinner - yes, at a cost of $160.00.
Provision for purchasing vouchers for day visitors to attend specific social events is available on the registration form or at the conference office during the conference.

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I am a day visitor, can I bring my partner also:

Welcome to Conference - yes, at a cost of $30 plus $2:00 per drink.
Harbour Cruise - yes, at a cost of $120.
Reception - yes, space permitting, at a cost of $80.
Dinner - yes, space permitting, at a cost of $160.
Provision for purchasing vouchers for a partner to attend specific social events is available on the registration form or at the conference office during the conference.

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I don’t want to go to all the social events. Can I get a refund?

Social events are included in the cost of full registration. The cost of social events has been fully discounted using funds raised from sponsorship.
There are no refunds for conference events that fully registered principals choose not to attend, nor are tickets transferable.
Cancellations of day visitor or guest tickets to social events received before 3.00pm Friday 21 October will be fully refunded.
Cancellations of day visitor or guest tickets to social events received after 3.00pm Friday 21 October may not be refunded due to the requirements of contracts with hotels and other suppliers.
On the registration form you have been asked to indicate which social events you are going to attend. At any time prior to an event, should you decide not to attend, please inform Sandra Armstrong, Registration Coordinator as soon as possible by e-mail: sandra.armstrong1@det.nsw.edu.au or at the conference office once the conference has begun. This will help to ensure that event numbers are accurate and catering that is not required does not have to be paid for.

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I am a relieving principal. Can I register for the conference?

The conference is limited to financial members of NSWPPA. Relieving principals must be financial members of the NSWPPA local association in their own right or have permission from that association to attend the conference. Relieving principals must be in the principal’s position at the time of conference.

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***How do I get to the Sofitel Wentworth,* Sydney *(the conference venue)?***

By air: then shuttle bus from the airport (departing every 15 minutes), taxi or by train which departs from under the domestic terminal at the airport.

o Alight at Circular Quay for a short walk up the hill to Phillip St.

By rail: alight at Circular Quay for a short walk up the hill to Phillip St.
By car: remember, city parking is expensive.

o Residents pay their hotel for parking on checkout if they use the hotel's parking facility.; o If driving to the conference venue, you should allow additional time for travel and parking, particularly for the conference opening on Wednesday morning when you can expect parking facilities to be extremely congested.; o Preference for parking at the Sofitel Wentworth is given to residents.; o Day visitors may be redirected to another parking station nearby.; o Parking at the Opera House may be cheaper and more accessible during certain hours.
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Where do I go to register when I arrive at the conference?

The conference Registration Desk will be located on Level 3 of the Sofitel Wentworth Sydney and managed by the conference committee. The conference desk will be open:
- from 4:00pm to 8:00pm Tuesday 25 October
- from 7:00am Wednesday 26 October
- On Wednesday 26 October, the Registration Desk will open from 7:00am. The official opening of the conference will commence at 8.45am. The Registration Desk will be closed for the official opening between 8:20am – 10:30am.
- On Thursday 27 October the Registration Desk will open from 7:30am so that day visitors can take part in Breakfast with Our Sponsors.
- On Friday 28 October, the Registration Desk will open from 7:30am.

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What other costs do I have to pay?

Dinner is not provided on Tuesday or Thursday evenings.
A nominal fee for Welcome to Conference ($2.00 for wine or beer, soft drinks are free).
Participation in a conference competition and the purchase of flashing novelties when you are at the dinner on Friday evening. Funds raised will support Stewart House, our conference charity.
You need to pay the hotel on departure for outstanding accommodation, breakfast, any extra meals, mini-bar, phone, room service, videos, in-house movie charges, parking, dry cleaning, etc.

I am a day visitor, can I attend other activities?

Welcome to Conference - yes, at a cost of $30 plus drinks.
Harbour Cruise - yes, at a cost of $120.
Reception – yes at a cost of $80.
Dinner - yes, space permitting, at a cost of $160.
Provision for purchasing vouchers for day visitors to attend specific social events is available on the registration form.

I am a day visitor, can I bring my partner also?

Welcome to Conference - yes, at cost of $30 plus drinks.
Harbour Cruise - yes, at a cost of $120.
Reception - yes, at a cost of $80.
Dinner - yes, space permitting, at a cost of $160.
Provision for purchasing vouchers for a partner to attend specific social events is available on the registration form.

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I'm thinking about coming earlier or staying longer - what should I do?

Contact the reservation staff at your hotel. The conference rate is available to registrants for several days before and after the conference.

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How do I cancel my accommodation booking?

Your accommodation is your own responsibility and will not be managed by the conference committee.
If you need to cancel accommodation you will need to contact the reservation staff at your hotel. Conference participants should be aware that late cancellations, particularly those close to the date of arrival, may not attract a refund.
If, after registrations have closed and accommodation has been booked, principals decide they have to withdraw from the conference, they may find it helpful to find a colleague to take over their package.

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Conference Program

Conference Social Events

Conference Registration

Accommodation