Main Conference
The 2016 14th Annual Federal Programs Conference will be held June 22-23, 2016, at the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) and the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway Hotel in College Park, Georgia. This year’s conference is unique in that ALL federal programs will participate in the conference this year in a collaborative effort to provide our districts across the state with all the technical assistance information required for federal program implementation in one location. Over 170 sessions have been scheduled covering topics presented by program area specialists. We are anticipating over 1,500 participants. Conference check-in will occur in the lobby of the GICC from 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM on Tuesday, June 21 and reopen at 7 AM on Wednesday, June 22 at the GICC.
Each school district will have the opportunity to send representatives from each of their federal program divisions. Please understand that each district must carefully allocate their allocated attendee spaces to make sure all programs are represented. It is suggested that small districts that have one person in charge of several or all federal programs assign others from within the district to attend the conference to assist in gathering the important information provided that one person would never be able to obtain. The number of representatives allowed to register will be based on district student enrollment size, as space and monetary limitations must be controlled. Districts will be initially limited to the number of accepted registrants based on the scale below using 2016 FTE-1 (October 2015) figures:
Small Districts (3,999 students and below) – 5 registrants
Medium Districts (4,000 – 19,999 students) – 8 registrants
Large Districts (20,000-75,000 students) – 12 registrants
Extra Large Districts (Above 75,000 students) – 16 Students
Any registrations submitted above the allotted slots according to district size will be placed on a first-come first-serve waiting list. If space permits those on the waiting list will be contacted directly by Dr. Randy Phillips, Title I, Part A Program Manager. ONLY fully registered participants will be allowed to attend the conference. Please do not ask now or the day of the conference for additional registration slots. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Dr. Randy Phillips at (404) 463-3467 or rphillips@doe.k12.ga.us.
New Directors Workshop
There will also be a pre-conference workshop offered for all new program directors on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 from 9 AM – 7 PM. The pre-conference workshop is open to all new federal program directors who are in their first or second year of service. This workshop will allow new directors a chance to learn some of the basic operations of their new position(s). Several small group work sessions covering program specific initiatives will be provided by specialists from each federal program. Due to funding limitations, only new directors (sorry – no additional assistants) will be allowed to participate in this workshop. In districts were one person is over several programs, the person will be provided the opportunity to attend sessions from each program as needed. Be sure and check the appropriate section on the registration form in order to be included in this wonderful learning experience.
Hotel Accommodations
Hotel rooms at the conference rate of $138.00 will be available on a first come basis at the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway Hotel and the SpringHill Suites (located directly across the entrance of the GICC). The conference rate is only available via the links below. The Department of Education accepts no responsibility in securing your hotel accommodations.
Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway Hotel
2020 Convention Center Concourse
College Park, GA 30337
CONFERENCE RATE CODE -
(404) 763-1544
(Overflow Hotel)
SpringHill Suites Atlanta Airport Gateway
2091 Convention Center Concourse
College Park, GA 30337
CONFERENCE RATE CODE -
(770) 907-8880
Parking
Those registered at the hotel will have reduced cost parking at the hotel at a rate of $5.00. Those commuting should be prepared to pay $10 at the parking lots outside the GICC. Parking fees will be collected each day, so therefore carpooling is strongly encouraged.
Meals
The Georgia Department of Education will be providing a continental breakfast and a full lunch for each day of the conference for all registered conference participants. There will be no charge for those meals at the conference. Dinner will be the complete responsibility of each conference participant.
Because the Federal Programs Division will be extending the New Director’s Workshop until 7 PM, there will be a working dinner session provided this day for those new directors who will be attending the New Directors Workshop on Monday, June 21, 2016.