Learn impactful networking tips to make conference a breeze by joining other new members and first time conference attendees on Sunday, March 15 from Noon - 2:00 PM for lunch. Get your conference experience ignited right away at this interactive Speed Networking event.  Don't forget to bring plenty of business cards - veteran attendees suggest as many as 250!

Watch the "Know Before You Go" webinar.

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...my Registration:
          On the left have navigation select "Manage My registration" and "Print my Receipt".

...my Hotel:
         Contact the hotel directly.On the left navagation select "Hotels / Travel" for the phone number.

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Spring in Texas is variable, so we suggest you be prepared for a range of temperatures. Attendees are encounages to wear layered business attire to programming. The average high is 69 degrees and the low is 47 Degrees. Tuesday's celebration is casual attire. hide answer

WFF membership runs on a calendar year (January - December.)   All memberships expire on 12/31.  In order to attend the Annual Leadership Development Conference at the member rate, you must have your 2009 dues paid.  You can pay your 2009 membership dues at the same time that you register for conference. hide answer

Welcome! Nearly 50% of all conference attendees are "first-timers" so we have an event just for you. New Members/First Time Attendees are encouraged to attend our "Know Before You Go" webinar which will be held on Thursday, March 5th at 1:00 pm CTS. Click here for information on how to log on. This important webinar will help you to get the most out of your Conference experience.  Additionally, we have a First Time attendee Networking Luncheon planned on Sunday, March 15th from 12:00-2:00 pm CTS.  Please check your personal agenda or Program Journal during registration for the location of this event.  Visit our Member Lounge anytime during conference to your questions answered by WFF staff and volunteers. We want you to feel welcome and have a great experience. hide answer

We expect approximately 1,400 attendees this year. hide answer

Bring plenty of business cards and wear layered clothing while in sessions.  Spring in Dallas is variable, so we suggest you be prepared for a range of temperatures. Attendees are encouraged to wear layered business attire to programming. The Welcome Reception will be more casual; the 20th Anniversary Closing Celebration is casual.
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Yes, you can purchase a guest ticket for Tuesday evening's Celebration. Guest tickets are $130/person and can be purchased when you register. All other events are closed to all but registered attendees. hide answer

You can register online to attend one of the following for $200 for WFF Members / $285 for Non-Members:

- Sunday's General Session with keynote Robin Roberts plus Welcome Reception
- Monday's General Session with keynote Julia Stewart, plus Monday breakfast
-Tuesday's General Session with keynote Tim Sanders, plus Tuesday lunch
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The on-line registration site and the registration form both have an area to indicate your special needs. hide answer

 The Leadership Award award is given each year to a woman executive in the foodservice industry who shows exceptional leadership qualities within her company and the industry at large, and whose professional growth and achievements are recognized through career advancement.  The Trailblazer Award is reserved for those individuals who are dedicated to improving the foodservice industry through their support of gender diversity, creating new pathways for women in their company and the industry at large, and implementing them at all levels of their organizations. The Entrepreneur of the Year Award is presented to a woman business owner who demonstrates exceptional leadership qualities, within her company and industry at large and whose achievements have contributed to the foodservice industry.

Awards are presented during Conference general sessions.

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Sunday, March 15th, 2009  -  Gaylord Texan Center Hotel Lobby
Hours:
          Sunday 9:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Monday March 16th - Wednesday March 18, 2009  -  Convention Center Grapevine Ballroom Registraion Desk
Hours:
          Monday: 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
          Tuesday: 7:00 AM - 2:30 PM
          Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM

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We offer member and non-member registration rates.  You must be a current member (with dues paid through 12/09) to take advantage of the member rate.  You can create or renew your membership on-line at www.womensfoodserviceforum.com and go to the "Membership Information" tab for complete information. hide answer

Please contact our Registration Coordinator at 1-888-202-4042 for help with registration, the website or other questions you may have or email events@womensfoodservcieforum.com hide answer

Registration cancellations are subject to a $175.00 cancelation fee and must be requested in writing and submitted to our Registration Coordinator at events@womensfoodserviceforum.com Between February 1 and February 17, 2009 all changes are subject to a $175 processing fee. There will be no refunds issued after February 13, 2009 - no exceptions. hide answer

Please contact our Registration Coordinator at 1-888-202-4042 for help with registration, the website or any other questions you may have. hide answer

After you have completed your registration, BEFORE you check out of the site, you will have the option to register another from your company. Before registering someone else, be sure you know which educational sessions he/she would like to attend. hide answer

You can change your selections online at any time prior to February 27, 2009. Onsite, you can check with the Registration area for availability, or you can wait until the start of a session - if space is available once the speaker has started, you will be able to join the session. hide answer

We offer a one-day member registration fee of $600 (or $825 for non-members) for any day of the conference. Each one-day registration covers all events and sessions from 5:00 a.m. to midnight.  Simply check that option when you register. hide answer

Registrations are transferable.  Call our Registration Coordinator at 888-202-4042 to make the change.  There is a $175 processing fee if you make the change on or after January 30, 2009.  Please note that while registrations are transferable, membership fees are not, so if your colleague is not a current WFF member, she will need to become one in order to qualify for the member rate. hide answer

No. Registrations with credit card payments must be completed on-line. Check payments must be used when faxing or mailing the registration form (found online at www.womensfoodserviceforum.com.)Please note that mailed/faxes registration forms are assessed a $45 data processing fee. hide answer

A complimentary shuttle will run between the Gaylord and the off-site hotel

Continuous Shuttle Service TO Gaylord

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Tuesday
11:00 am - 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm	7:00 am - 8:00 am	7:00 am - 8:00 am	7:00 am - 8:00 am

Continuous Shuttle Service FROM Gaylord to off-site

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Tuesday
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm and 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm	5:30 pm - 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm	5:30 pm - 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm	11:30 am - 12:30 pm

- Taxis are always available at individual expense outside all hotels.

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Airport Transfers
Taxis and limo service is readily available at the Dallas Fort Worth Airport. In addition, we are pleased to offer conference attendees special transportation rates via Super Shuttle. Receive a special rate of $10 per direction - go to Super Shuttle on-line and entering discount code S99ND to reserve your transportation.

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Gaylord Hotel Parking
Local guests with overnight accommodations, should park in the Gaylord hotel garage tower located to the right of the hotel lobby. The cost is $12 per day with in-and-out privileges with their room key.
Daily drive-in guests should park in the Gaylord convention center parking garage The cost is $10 per day without in and out privileges. Upon entering the convention center, take the escalators to the ballroom level. Daily registration will be located at the top of the escalators.
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No, you'll need to complete your conference registration BEFORE reserving a hotel room. hide answer

Register for conference early!  Room reservations cannot be reserved directly with the hotel, and hotel reservations cannot be made without a completed conference registration.  When you finish registering for the conference, click on the hotel link to be taken directly to the hotel registration site where you'll be able to select your hotel.  This change in policy will allow more people to get a chance to stay at the host hotel. hide answer

The auxiliary hotels are located in close proximity (within 3 miles) to the Gaylord Texan. You can find more information and a map on the Hotels/Travel page. hide answer

Executive Programming provides unique programming consistent with building executive competencies specifically designed for corporate Vice Presidents, senior management, CEOs and board members. Anyone is welcome to attend the executive sessions if you feel the content is appropriate to your development needs. Other special events, such as the Executive Reception and Executive Lunch/Executive Forum are open only to those whose title is VP or above. hide answer

The Emerging Executive Track was developed as a direct result of the feedback attendees have given us in previous years to provide more advanced sessions for more seasoned managers and director level attendees. While geared to the director level, these sessions are open to all attendees who feel the content is appropriate for their development plan. hide answer

Join us at the 2009 WFF Annual Leadership Conference as we focus education on six of the eleven core competencies:

• Financial Acumen: An organization's bottom line is only as solid as the financial acumen of its leaders. To build the business, it's essential to understand the numbers and ask the right questions.
• Building Networks: It's more than connections. It's about identifying and nurturing those strategic relationships - both internal and external - to achieve your goals.
• Building High-Performing Teams: Simply put, organizational success is predicated on the teams within. Gather and galvanize groups, drive their engagement and challenge them to higher performance.
• Visioning/Setting Direction: Visioning goes far beyond seeing what's ahead. It's about being able to clearly share with and energize others with what cannot easily be seen.
• Driving for Results: Challenge convention and encourage yourself and others to overcome barriers in order to achieve new levels of success.
• Risk Taking: It's not scary; it's strategic. Finding a better way often means challenging the traditional and heading down the road less traveled.

Workshops are coded to one of the six competencies to help attendees select those most relevant to their situation.  Taking the WFF Leadership Competency Assessment (LCA) is also recommended for all attendees prior to registering for workshops to help members further determine theirareas of need.  Take your LCA now.

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Attendees can customize their conference education by using the color-coding system that identifies which of the WFF competencies is most applicable to that workshop programming. However, the easiest way is to take your WFF Leadership Competency Assessment (LCA). Based on your results, conference workshops will be recommended.   Take your LCA now.

To ensure that all members who register for a specific session will have a seat, and to manage room capacity all programming session swill require a ticket for entry. Please register early for the best selection of educational programming. (Your tickets will be included in your registration packet.)

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The WFF Leadership Competency Assessment (LCA) and Executive Leadership Competency Assessment (ELCA) is a tool developed by WFF to help members assess their strengths and weaknesses in the 11 Core Leadership Competencies. Available as an exclusive benefit to WFF members, it is highly recommended that you take the assessment once a year. Attendees are encouraged to take the LCA/ELCA before they register for Conference since the results of this online assessment will help select the most useful workshops.Take your LCA now.  Take your ELCA now.

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The energizing final day of Conference is about your personal development.  This year, we're offering sessions on working with purpose and life balance as well as track programming for emerging leaders and emerging executives on personal finances and image consulting. hide answer

To prevent overcrowding, and to ensure all pre-registered attendees have a chance to attend, ALL WORKSHOPS will be ticketed.  When you pick up your registration packet onsite, you will receive tickets for all events and workshops that you pre-registered for. All of these will also be listed on your personal agenda.  You will need to present your ticket to gain access to all workshops and events. hide answer

Workshop handouts that speakers provided are included at each of the workshop rooms and may be posted on-line depending on the speaker.  Not every speaker elects to provide handouts.

 

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There are many opportunities to become involved and contribute resources to WFF. For complete sponsorship information and program details, click here to view sponsor levels and opportunities or contact our VP of Business Development at 1-866-368-8008 or by email to anickolas@womensfoodserviceforum.com. hide answer

There is no special seating for volunteers at most events.  There is a Volunteer Awards Luncheon scheduled on Monday, March 16th from Noon-2:00 pm CTS. This event will recognize the importance of volunteering, as well as celebrate the successes of members just like you.  Please RSVP your attendance to volunteers@womensfoodserviceforum.com. 
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