You
Asked for It:
New and Improved LLLI Breastfeeding Conference
Every LLLI Conference evaluation
form is reviewed by the entire Conference Team. Serious consideration
is given to every suggestion. By keeping the best of what Conference
participants enjoy and by improving other facets, the Conference Team
has made changes to meet the diverse needs of participants. Attendees
cross generations, speak various languages, and come from different
disciplines. At the same time, the needs of families and children
are a high priority. Many changes have been made in the format and
session schedule to accommodate requests.
1. Several workshops will
be offered after the World Assembly and before Opening Night. These
will include Communication Skills including working with employed
mothers, Public Relations, Advocacy, Breastfeeding and HIV Issues,
and an Exploration of Personality Types. This will allow participants
to attend the Workshops without having to miss Conference sessions.
2. The Exhibit Hall Reception
will also be held before Opening Night. Conference attendees will
be able to discover the latest in breastfeeding and parenting items
and enjoy light refreshments as well.
3. Two breaks
have been scheduled on Sunday and Tuesday from 2:30-3:30. Conference
registrants will have the chance to visit the bookstore, walk through
the exhibit hall, or simply take a much-needed rest.
4. In addition
to the traditional Opening General Session on July 3, we added another
General Session on July 5th. This will provide the opportunity for
all participants to be informed and inspired by the same presentation.
5. A common request
on evaluations has been a reduction of the noise level at sessions.
Several options
for keeping the noise level down are being considered. Babies, children,
and even mothers and fathers are tired by the end of the day. Instead
of additional sessions, evenings will feature events that lend themselves
to happier children, i.e., The World's Fair, The Gala Gallery Reception,
and the Closing Event and Dinner. Award presentations have been moved
from lunches to general sessions. Lunch will be served before the
speaker presentation thus reducing the noise level of meal service.
6. The ever popular
World's Fair will be held the second night instead of the third so
that those selling materials from around the world will have the opportunity
to do so earlier in the Conference. The PIZZAZZ Team is eagerly working
on a floor plan that will make it easier to navigate as you get your
"passport" stamped and walk around the LLLI world.
7. The Gala Gallery
will replace the many separate receptions of previous Conferences.
It will be an opportunity for LLLI departments, countries, and areas
to meet in one centralized place. As requested, this will allow more
time to network and visit.
8. The Conference
Closing has been moved from the afternoon to the evening of the last
day. The Closing Event and Dinner will be included in all full Conference
registrations.
9. Many past Conference
attendees have said that the highlight of the Conference was meeting
with the Founders of LLLI. To make this happen, not only will the
seven Founders be featured at the Afternoon Tea, but they will also
host a Founder's Parlor. This area will be in an informal section
of the Alumnae Room where small groups will be able to chat with one
or more Founders.
10. Also new for
this Conference will be a Father's Lounge-the result of attendee suggestions.
11. Many evaluations
speak to the international nature of the Conference. To help make
the atmosphere friendly to those outside of the host country, many
traditions will be continued.
The Alumnae will
again host a welcome table for new attendees and for those who have
traveled from another country. Press Releases in English, French,
and Spanish will again be available in the PR Room. Simultaneous Interpretation
will be done in Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese. This is done with
headsets on different frequencies.
12. A room has
been set aside especially for the Spanish-speaking community. It will
be called The Latino Room and will be an enticing place for all who
want to learn more about the Hispanic culture.
13. The main reason
people give for not attending the LLLI Conference is expense. Those
who attend other conferences are almost always impressed by the high
quality and relative cost of the LLLI Conference. The Conference Team
is intent on holding the costs down as much as possible. In fact,
at this Conference, LLL Leaders will be offered a special low registration.
And with Leader Registration only, the cost of the Afternoon Tea will
be included.
14. The Conference Team
received a $15,000 donation to be used to fund Leader scholarships
to the LLLI Conference. In the past, scholarship expense was billed
to the cost of the Conference. The donation will afford many more
Leaders the chance to attend.
15. Other donations totaling
$1,600 will make it possible for ten Peer Counselors to attend the
Conference for one day.
A Note about Recommended
Speakers: We have received a large number of Speaker evaluations and
many new speakers will present topics. However, there are reasons
why recommended Speakers may not appear on the Speaker List. Some
Speakers are too expensive, others have prior commitments, and some
offer topics that would be repetitive. Please be assured that every
Speaker who is recommended is given consideration.
Plan to attend LLLI's
Breastfeeding Conference in Washington, DC, USA, July 2-5, 2005, Breastfeeding:
An Ancient Art---A Modern Miracle.
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:34:51 UTC 2007.
