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Conferences
AFF conference attendees are a unique and
stimulating blend of family members of
group-involved persons, former group members,
helping professionals, and researchers (many of
the former two categories are also former group
members).
Conferences typically have 180-250 attendees
and take place on Friday and Saturday, with
preconference workshops for families and former
members on Thursday. Conferences usually
run three tracks of talks simultaneously, so
attendees have many choices among the sessions,
with plenary sessions at the beginning and end of
the conference.
Speakers are responsible for their own
expenses, so the success of conferences depends
very much upon the dedication and generosity of
speakers. There tend to be 40-60 speakers
at conferences.
When possible we try to find inexpensive
facilities (e.g., college conference centers),
for few of our attendees get reimbursed. To
the extent finances permit, we offer registration
fee assistance to financially needy former group
members.
When possible and appropriate, we videotape
conference sessions in which speakers are
agreeable to being videotaped. These tapes
are made available after the conference.
(Workshops are not taped.)
In 2004 we will hold conferences and
preconference workshops at the University of
Alberta in Edmonton (June 11-12) and the Crowne
Plaza Atlanta Airport (October 15-16).
Additional information on conferences,
including detailed agendas and biographical
sketches of speakers, can be found on our
online
bookstore.
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