LLLI Conference Questions and Answers
Mary Hurt
2001 Conference Team
From: LEAVEN, Vol. 36 No. 4, August-September 2000, pp. 83-4
Why does La Leche League
International host an LLLI Conference every two years?
An LLLI Conference has many
purposes. First and foremost it is a chance for parents and health care
professionals from around the world to come together in celebration
of their role in helping mothers to breastfeed their babies. It is an
opportunity to experience the cultural diversity of La Leche League
and to see the global impact of helping mothers to breastfeed their
babies. An LLLI Conference is also the place where breastfeeding advocates
outside of LLL can come to learn about LLLI and how we can help each
other in the common goal of helping more mothers breastfeed their babies.
An LLLI Conference features
cutting-edge information on breastfeeding, nutrition, and parenting
along with continuing education credits for board certified lactation
consultants, registered dietitians, and registered nurses. The LLLI
Conference is also a vehicle that helps publicize La Leche League and
breastfeeding. Many national and international articles about breastfeeding
and other publicity resulting from the Conference have helped bring
La Leche League and the services it offers into public awareness. LLL
Leaders are given press releases they can use in their hometown papers,
and this helps them to publicize their meetings to further our common
goal of helping mothers to breastfeed their babies.
Since LLLI speakers are experts
from around the world, LLLI Conferences also help La Leche League reach
influential health professionals and other experts who in turn come
in contact with more mothers and babies. Most speakers come away from
LLLI Conferences with not only a new appreciation for the importance
of breastfeeding, but also with an admiration and respect for the professionalism
and depth of La Leche League. In numerous ways, LLLI Conferences help
make visible our commitment to mothering through breastfeeding.
What criteria are used to
select a site for the LLLI Conference?
Since LLLI Conference attendees
come from the four corners of the globe, one of the first criteria considered
in Conference site selection is whether there is easy access from a
truly international airport with many direct flights from around the
world. The Conference hotel itself must be large enough to hold 3500-4000
people under one roof with enough session rooms to accommodate the great
variety of sessions at an LLLI Conference. Experience has shown that
the comfort and convenience of mothers and babies is of utmost importance
and holding sessions under one roof makes it more convenient than trying
to maneuver across busy streets or deal with inclement weather in between
sessions.
Since many parents and health
professionals combine an LLLI Conference with a family vacation, LLLI
Conferences are held in various locations that take into consideration
opportunities for family vacations. Nearby attractions that appeal to
families are considered important when choosing a site. It is also ideal
if the conference can be held in various regions so Leaders and members
who prefer not to travel far have an opportunity to attend a conference
closer to home. In addition, the facility's willingness to offer attractive
room rates to the attendees helps with the final decision. Finally,
while it has always been the dream of the LLLI Conference Team to host
an LLLI Conference outside of North America, there are a myriad of factors,
such as custom charges and taxes, that make this dream unaffordable
at the present time. There are fewer than two dozen sites in North America
that meet all the criteria; as a result many interesting locations cannot
be considered.
Who chooses the LLLI Conference
locations?
The Conference Team which
is made up of Leaders, LLLI staff members, and volunteers investigates
possible conference sites. Carol Kolar, LLLI Director of Education,
Leader, and Certified Meeting Professional, heads the team. After several
locations are deemed suitable, Carol begins contract negotiations. When
she is satisfied with the contract proposals the hotels are willing
to offer, she takes them to the Board of Directors who make the final
decision about the conference location.
Why have some recent "international"
Conferences been held on July 4 weekend, the USA Independence Day?
One of the objectives of
the Conference Team is keeping costs down for attendees. Since the July
4 weekend is one in which a large number of US citizens have family
picnics, reunions, parades, firework displays, etc., room rates can
be offered over the Fourth of July weekend that are less expensive than
at any other time of the year. Since good rates were available at another
time for this LLLI Conference, the upcoming LLLl Conference will be
held July 7-10, 2001.
Why is there a fee for spouses
to use the playroom, visit exhibits, and the bookstore?
Almost every professional
Conference charges a spousal fee, even if the only benefit received
from the spousal fee is admittance to a spousal lounge. Usually if a
spouse wants to attend conference sessions, the fee is the same as the
fee for the primary registrant. At an LLLI Conference, a spouse can
attend sessions. The LLLI Conference team makes every effort to keep
this expense low. However, the LLLI Conference incurs additional security
expenses because of its unique character as a conference attended by
families. Safety is a primary concern and extra security is necessary
but also costly. An extra identifying badge alone costs $15 for the
registration company to process.
Naturally, children of all
ages are welcome at every session and event at La Leche League International
Conferences, but there are also special places and activities for children.
Toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children are thrilled to visit
the Playroom which is a special place filled with toys, games, and art
activities. Children aged 6 through 18 can join the fun at daily Chance-to-Dance
sessions. Teens love to meet with one another at the Teen lounge. These
are all part of the fun of LLLI Conferences but they also require additional
security, equipment, and decorating-all additional expenses.
Why are meals included in
the cost of registration?
Negotiating a contract for
a conference facility involves many factors. Making a commitment to
purchase a certain number of meals helps us provide better rates for
sleeping rooms and meeting space. Because luncheons are included as
part of the package, you pay much less for your hotel rooms. It also
saves conference participants the time and trouble involved in finding
a place to eat during a short lunch break. The contract is negotiated
so that you, the attendee, will benefit from the best possible rates.
Leaders and other health
professionals from around the globe suggest conference speakers. Once
a speaker is suggested to the team, as much as possible is found out
about the speaker - books are read and, when possible, tapes are evaluated.
Before a speaker is contacted several questions are asked. Does the
speaker offer something new in the areas of breastfeeding, nutrition,
parenting, and other topics of interest to Conference attendees? Is
the speaker knowledgeable and interesting? Can the speaker meet the
challenge of speaking to a diverse audience with many babies and toddlers
in attendance? If the speaker will be addressing a Continuing Education
Session other professional criteria must also be met.
Potential Conference speakers
are contacted after meeting these criteria. Some are unable to attend
because they limit speaking engagements. Some are already scheduled
for the Conference time. Some are too expensive for our speakers' budget
either because they always demand a large honorarium or because the
cost of bringing them to the LLLI Conference is prohibitive. In the
end, La Leche League International Conferences offer an outstanding
selection of world-renowned speakers on a variety of cutting-edge topics.
What is special about the
LLLI Conference?
Almost everyone who attends
an LLLI Conference gives it rave reviews. This is due to outstanding
speakers, family fun, and the chance to soak up an LLL atmosphere for
three days. It is always affirming and elevating.
The Exhibit Hall offers an
outstanding display of products and services of particular interest
to LLL families. There is everything from beautiful fashions to health
care products. It's a fun way to collect ideas and samples of a variety
of products.
The Bookstore features the
latest information on parenting, breastfeeding and nutrition as well
as souvenirs for those at home and those who came along. Autograph parties
offer the chance to have books personally inscribed by world-renowned
authors.
Poster sessions give many
a chance to highlight the work they are doing with breastfeeding and
give others a chance to see what's being done in support of breastfeeding
all over the world. Global sessions and multi-language learning clusters,
take us around the world of breastfeeding in three days.
A Kaleidoscope of the World
provides us another opportunity to go around the world, but this time
in one three-hour tour. Children and others who enjoy fun have their
"passports" stamped at international booths which have items
for display and items for sale. Many families bring along an extra bag
to carry home their purchases from this world bazaar. Some Groups sell
items from around the world in order to help pay for their Conference
expenses.
Finally, be sure to come
to the Technology Room where the LLLI Conference is shared with the
world. Help your virtual friends become your real friends as you gather
to meet others you have met through LLL online. Come to see the technology;
stay for the camaraderie.
Should I attend an LLLI
Conference if l am no longer breastfeeding?
Many people who attend an
LLLI Conference are no longer breastfeeding. Leaders, Alumnae, and health
professionals are among the group who come to LLLI Conferences. While
there are, of course, sessions on breastfeeding and parenting at LLLI
Conferences, there are also a multitude of sessions on other issues,
from organization and time management to caring for your aging parents,
from new health options to communication skills.
Join us for a "Kaleidoscope
of Families, Friends, and Cultures" at LLLI's 17th International
Conference to be held July 7-10, 2001 at Chicago Hilton and Towers,
Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Flash: Since 2001 is the
"Year of the Volunteer;" special surprises will be in store
for all Leaders accredited on or after July 7, 1999.
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:32:14 UTC 2007.
