Join us in LEXINGTON 70 th Annual Meeting of the Southern Legislative Conference of The Council of State Governments July 9-13, 2016 Lexington, Kentucky The Premier Public Policy Forum for Southern State Legislators
The Premier Public Policy Forum for Southern State Legislators The 70th Annual Meeting of the Southern Legislative Conference will be held in Lexington, Kentucky, July 9-13, 2016. Convened as the focal point and culmination of the SLC s yearly activities, the Annual Meeting of the Southern Legislative Conference continues to be the largest single convention held within The Council of State Governments and the largest regional gathering of its kind. The Annual Meeting reminds participants of the tradition of hospitality that is the trademark of the South. By combining substantive programming on pressing state policy issues with opportunities to share experiences with colleagues, the SLC Annual Meeting has emerged as the premier regional public policy gathering for state legislators, legislative staff, and government officials serving the South. KENTUCKY 2016 Each year the SLC Annual Meeting provides policymakers a forum for engaging regional and national policy experts on the issues that matter most to them and their constituents. Of equal benefit, numerous informal discussions allow state government officials to share their experiences with others facing similar challenges and opportunities, a hallmark of the SLC Annual Meeting. Regional and national policy experts address an array of topics germane to the Conference s six standing committees, which serve as the foundation for policy discussions. In addition to the substantive programs, the Annual Meeting shines a spotlight on the Host State s year-long planning to accommodate members from across the region with special activities and events unique to both the host city and state.
DAY REG. ANNUAL MEETING OVERVIEW SATURDAY JULY 9 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Thoroughbred Prefunction Space, Lexington Convention Center SUNDAY JULY 10 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Thoroughbred Prefunction Space, Lexington Convention Center MONDAY JULY 11 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Thoroughbred Prefunction Space, Lexington Convention Center TUESDAY JULY 12 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Thoroughbred Prefunction Space, Lexington Convention Center MORNING 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Staff Workshop 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Committee Breakfasts AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TRANSPORTATION & CULTURAL AFFAIRS EDUCATION 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. SLC/MARK NORRIS CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUNGER 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Committee Breakfasts ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT FISCAL AFFAIRS & GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. OPENING PLENARY SESSION 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. CLOSING PLENARY & BUSINESS BREAKFAST SESSION Executive Committee Session Meets upon conclusion of the Closing Plenary MIDDAY noon - 1:30 p.m. LEGISLATIVE FISCAL PLENARY LUNCHEON 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. CSG Overseas Voting Initiative noon - 2:00 p.m. Committee Luncheons EDUCATION FISCAL AFFAIRS & GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY noon - 3:30 p.m. Committee Technical Tours 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. State Transformation in Action Recognition (STAR) Program Selection Panel AFTERNOON 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Executive Committee Session 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Nominating Committee for Conference Officers 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Committee Programs ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Committee Programs AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TRANSPORTATION & CULTURAL AFFAIRS 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Women in Leadership EVENING 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. OPENING RECEPTION at KEENELAND 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills Alumni Reception 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. FAMILY NIGHT at the KENTUCKY HORSE PARK 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Policy Positions Committee 2017 HOST STATE RECEPTION: MISSISSIPPI 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. RECEPTION & STATE DINNER WEDNESDAY JULY 13 DEPAR TURES (no meetings)
Lexington, Kentucky July 9-13, 2016 REGISTRATION CANCELLATIONS & NO SHOWS PLEASE NOTE HOUSING REMINDERS ATTIRE Discounted registration rates apply until May 27. Mailed and faxed registrations will not be accepted after May 27; online registration closes on June 14. After June 14, all registrations will be handled on site. No telephone registrations will be accepted. Incomplete registrations will not be processed. fees for all meeting participants, except legislators and legislative staff, must accompany registration forms in order to be processed. fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, in whole or in part, once the meeting convenes and credentials have been issued. cancellations must be in writing and received by the SLC in Atlanta by June 14. Cancellations can be mailed to the SLC office, emailed to slcreginfo@csg.org, or faxed to (404) 633-4896. Telephone cancellations cannot be accepted. Cancellations received before May 27 will not be charged cancellation fees. Cancellations received after May 27 but before June 14 will be charged an administrative fee of $100. (Your credit card will be charged the administrative fee after June 14.) Cancellations received after June 14 and no-shows will be charged full registration. fees are non-transferrable. Attendees with reservations at any of the Conference hotels, but not registered for the 70 th Annual Meeting of the Southern Legislative Conference by June 14, will be charged the prevailing hotel rate for the length of their stay. You are responsible for making your hotel reservations. for the annual meeting must be submitted to secure discounted hotel room rates. A link for discounted hotel rates will be sent to the email address submitted with the annual meeting registration. A deposit of one night s stay plus taxes is assessed for all reservations at the time of booking. Cancellations of hotel reservations must be made three days in advance of check-in date in order to receive a refund for room deposit. No telephone reservations will be accepted. Reservations must be received by the hotel by May 27. The SLC does not guarantee hotel accommodations. The SLC does not provide hotel confirmations. Please contact the hotel directly for your confirmation number. The SLC does not block rooms in any of the conference hotels for states or other organizations. SLC Rules require that all proposed policy positions be submitted a minimum of 21 calendar days in advance of the Annual Meeting. For 2016, all proposed policy positions must be received in the Atlanta office by June 17. Opening and closing plenary sessions, SLC standing committee sessions, and host-sponsored events are open to all registered conferees. Attire for all program sessions is business casual. Attire for family and guest activities is casual unless otherwise indicated. Business attire is suggested for the State Dinner.
IMPORTANT DATES May 27 End of discounted registration rates Last day for mail and fax registrations Last day to secure hotel reservations June 14 Last day for online annual meeting registration Last day to cancel registration without incurring charges June 17 Due date for proposed policy positions July 9 July 13 Meeting convenes; on site registration opens Departures Remember to Visit the Host State Website... www.slc2016.org Airport shuttle sign-up Guest and youth activity sign-up (separate sign-up required to participate) Lexington area attractions Special Host State events NEW IN 2016 KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THIS YEAR'S CONFERENCE APP! Come and enjoy the HORSE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD Opening Reception at Keeneland Saturday, July 9 Located in the heart of Kentucky s famed Bluegrass region, Keeneland plays an important role in both Thoroughbred racing and breeding. Keeneland is a National Historic Landmark, and its beautiful, park-like grounds will welcome SLC delegates and their guests for an evening of the ultimate in Southern hospitality. Come be a part of the tradition! Family Night at the Kentucky Horse Park Sunday, July 10 The Kentucky Horse Park welcomes the SLC family for a special evening of relaxation and fun. This is the place to get close to horses. Guests will have full access to special activities for children and kids at heart. Join us for games, entertainment, Parade of Breeds, horse-drawn tours, entrance to the International Museum of the Horse, and visits from the Mounted Police. And if you just want to kick back and take in the pastoral setting, that s on the agenda, too! HOW TO ATTEND: Register for the meeting at www.slcatlanta.org/ky2016 A link for discounted hotel rates will be emailed to you upon registration. Make your hotel reservation at: Hyatt Regency Lexington Hilton Lexington Downtown Register for airport transportation and guest and youth activities at www.slc2016.org Stay current on annual meeting updates via e-mail and www.slcatlanta.org/ky2016 Come to Kentucky prepared to share, learn and enjoy!
THE SOUTHERN OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS REGIONAL VIEW NATIONAL REACH The Southern Office of The Council of State Governments, located in Atlanta, Georgia, fosters and encourages intergovernmental cooperation among its 15 member states. In large measure, this is achieved through the ongoing work of the standing committees of its Southern Legislative Conference. Through member outreach in state capitols, policy research, international member delegations, staff exchange programs, meetings and fly-ins, staff support state policymakers and staff in their work to build a stronger region. Founded in 1947, the SLC is a member-driven organization and the largest of four regional legislative groups operating under CSG and comprises the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. The SLC s six standing committees provide a forum which allows policymakers to share knowledge in their area of expertise with colleagues from across the South. By working together within the SLC and participating on its committees, Southern state legislative leaders are able to speak in a distinctive, unified voice while addressing issues that affect their states and the entire region.