The American Psychological Association’s 114th Annual Convention in New Orleans, August 10-13, 2006, will feature unique performance art, awards, jazz, and other programming handpicked by APA President Gerald P. Koocher, PhD, for their local or professional interest.  Some of the highlights include playwright, actress, and New York University professor Anna Deavere Smith as the Opening Session keynote speaker; Dr. Martin Seligman delivering an APA 2006 Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award Address on positive psychology and positive psychotherapy; “Dr. Phil” McGraw on making psychology more accessible; plus much more!  We hope to see you in New Orleans in August either as an exhibitor and/or as a meeting attendee!

New Orleans Rebirth

Many signs of what locals are calling the "New Orleans Rebirth" are everywhere in the convention and tourist areas.  A massive clean-up effort following the hurricane has been completed in the French Quarter, central business district, arts and entertainment district and along Magazine Street and St. Charles Avenue.

Before APA even gets to town, the city will have hosted many large events, including the 150th anniversary of Mardi Gras, the French Quarter Festival, the internationally celebrated Jazz and Heritage Festival, and the Satchmo SummerFest. In addition, the city hosted the 22,000-attendee American Library Association meeting in June and a 25,000-attendee Baptist convention in July.
Come see and celebrate for yourself. Your participation in the 2006 APA Annual Convention ensures you the unique, cultural travel experience only New Orleans can deliver. Even more, it means you are taking part in something important, historic, and unfailingly patriotic—making way for the ultimate Rebirth of New Orleans.

Help with the Rebirth

Despite this progress, APA nevertheless remains sensitive to the fact that there is still much work to be done to help with the recovery of New Orleans. Your very participation in this year's convention will lend a hand in that effort. There are a number of programs we have put in place to allow you to make additional contributions to the recovery—

Enjoy an evening with Bill Cosby or with the Preservation Hall Jazz band. All proceeds from both of these events will go to charity.
On Wednesday, August 9, APA will hold a volunteer project day in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity.
APA will also be conducting a school supply donation drive for the New Orleans Public Schools. School supply drop off boxes will be located in the Convention Center.

As you make preparations for the meeting, please don’t hesitate to call or email Jodi Ashcraft, 202.336.5565) or Mona Martinez, 202.336.5627) in the APA Advertising & Exhibit Sales Office if you need any additional information.

If you are interested in exhibiting, please note that each booth exhibitor is allotted four complimentary registrations per booth purchased.  (For example, if your organization has three exhibit booths, you are allotted 12 complimentary registrations.) 

In addition to staffing your company’s exhibit booth, your exhibitor registration provides you access to the sessions (excluding the separate continuing education workshops).  Attending this year’s APA convention, you will find:

• Programming from APA’s Public Interest Directorate and Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest.  This programming  will explore psychological aspects of international conflict reconciliation, socioeconomic status and diverse families, and will examine cultural issues in disaster response

• Recent findings in psychological science—positive psychology, the neurobiology of stress, and evolutionary perspective on sexism and racism—headline programs organized by APA’s Board of Scientific Affairs

• The APA Education Directorate’s 2006 programming slate will showcase the work of psychologists striving to build better schools, aid community college teachers, and explore current training and marketplace trends in specialization

• APA’s Practice Directorate and the Board of Professional Affairs will sponsor a variety of programs aimed at giving practitioners tools for their clinical work (the latest in practice programming on record-keeping, and evidence-based, culturally sensitive treatment)

• Plus much, much more!!!

TRAFFIC GENERATING FEATURES

To increase traffic flow in the exhibit hall, a number of features have been designed. They include:

• Exhibits-Only Hour: On Thursday, August 10, from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm attendees will have a special Exhibits-Only Hour—one hour free from any other convention programming so that they can spend uninterrupted time in the exhibit hall.  Attendees will be invited to browse the exhibits and enjoy free ice cream during this time.

• Cyber Cafe: The Cyber Cafe will allow attendees to stay connected at home and at the office. Attendees will be able to read and respond to email as well as electronically search for information during exhibit hall hours.

• Posters: Attendees will have to walk through the exhibits to attend Poster Sessions.

• Massage Break Lounge: Attendees and exhibitors will be able to take a break from the convention with upper-body seated "chair" massages provided by certified massage therapists.

• Sunday Refreshments: Attendees will be invited to join exhibitors on Sunday, August 13, from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, for pastries and coffee on the show floor.

SPONSORSHIP

Increase your visibility in the psychology marketplace and showcase your support to the field by becoming a sponsor at the APA Annual Convention. Each sponsorship includes identification on the Convention Homepage and in the Convention Program.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

It may be helpful to have the following information on hand when planning your attendance:

Exhibit Booth Installation: Wednesday, August 9, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm and Thursday, August 10, 6:00 am – 7:00 am

Exhibit Dates and Hours: Thursday, August 10, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; Friday, August 11, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; Saturday, August 12, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; and Sunday, August 13, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.

Exhibit Booth Dismantling: Sunday, August 13, 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm and Monday, August 14, 8:00 am – 12Noon.

Exhibit booths measure 10’ x 10'.  The aluminum framework will be draped in blue and white.  Aisle carpeting will be blue.  Carpeting for individual booths may be ordered at additional cost from the show decorator. (Only Employer booths will be carpeted free of charge.) 

IMPORTANT REMINDER IN SAVING EXHIBITOR COSTS:
Exhibitors receive advance discounted pricing for ordering early. Exhibitors ordering products and services from the Brede/National Exposition Services no later than the advance order deadline date of Friday, July 21, 2006, will save an exhibitor up to 30% from the regular and onsite prices.

CONTACT US

Don’t miss out on this interaction with thousands of attendees who are your prime prospects—reserve your booth space today before it’s too late! For more information, to reserve your advertisement space, for other pre-convention promotions, or to reserve your company’s Exhibit Booth or Sponsorship, contact us today:

Jodi Ashcraft
Director, Advertising & Exhibit Sales
Phone: (202) 336-5565
E-mail

Mona Martinez
Exhibit Sales Representative
Phone: (202) 336-5627
E-mail

IMPORTANT LINKS: