The conference will be held at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel; Phone 416/869-1600 - Guest Fax 416/869-1420. Arrangements for childcare can be made by contacting the hotel’s concierge. Visit the hotel’s website at www.westin.com/harbourcastle for further information.
2. Hotel Reservations
The Forum on Franchising has negotiated a special room rate of $250 CAD per single/ double room at the Westin. A 5% sales and 7% GST tax will also apply per night. To make your hotel reservations, please follow the instructions on the registration form. We have reserved a limited block of rooms through September 21, 2009. You must register for the conference prior to making your hotel reservation. After this date, the Hotel Reservation Office will assign rooms on a space available basis. All changes and cancellations to guaranteed hotel reservations must be received by 4:00 p.m. EST on the scheduled day of arrival to avoid a one night’s cancellation charge.
3. Air / Ground Travel
Air Travel: Airfare discounts to ABA meetings are available through ABA Online Travel; the ABA travel agency is Orbitz for Business (OFB). To access ABA Online Travel, go to www.abanet.org, "Member Tools". At ABA Online Travel you will have automatic access to meeting airfare discounts, web fares and web book only airlines. The ABA's toll-free number for Orbitz for Business (OFB) is 1-866-321-8403. PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED TO ENTER CANADA, AND FOR RE-ENTRY TO THE U.S. - FOR INFORMATION ON OBTAINING A U.S. PASSPORT, VISIT WWW.TRAVEL.STATE GOV/PASSPORT. Ground Travel:The Westin Harbour Castle is only 30 minutes from Lester B. Pearson International Airport and 10 minutes from Toronto City Centre Airport. Taxis are available at a rate of $47 CAD each way. There is also an airport express shuttle that operates from that airport to downtown hotels. The price and times are on-line http://www.torontoairportexpress.com. On-site parking at the Westin is $30.00 CAD per night for valet and self-parking is $17 CAD per night.
4. Program Registration
To register for all programs and events described in this brochure, please submit your completed registration form and payment to: Technical Registration Experts, 303 West State Street, Geneva, IL 60134.Or fax your form with credit card payment only to 630/262-1520. Confirmations will be faxed to you within 72 hours of registration receipt. In order to be included in the list of program attendees, you must register by September 21, 2009. Guest tickets for special events are available for an additional fee. Please see the registration form for price details.
5. On-Site Check-In
Beginning Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., attendees may check-in at the ABA registration desk to pick up registration packets that contain name badges, information kits and a CD-ROM of program materials.
6. On-Site Registration
On-site registration is available for those persons who missed the registration deadline. If you plan to register at the door, please call Kimberly Nelson 312/988-5666 on or before Friday, October 9th, to confirm that space is still available. Failure to call in advance may preclude admission to a sold out conference. On-site registrants must pay the registration fees by check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. NO registrations will be accepted without payment.
7. Tuition Information
Tuition for the intensive programs is separate and in addition to the main program registration fee. Intensive program tuition includes course materials, box lunch, and welcome reception. Tuition for the main program includes admission to the two-day program, welcome reception, continental breakfasts, beverage breaks, box lunches, course materials and the Annual Reception/Dinner. THE FORUM WILL BE PROVIDING THIS YEAR'S PROGRAM MATERIALS ON CD-ROM ONLY IN AN EFFORT TO HELP "GREEN" THE ENVIRONMENT.
8. Cancellation Policy
Registrants who are unable to attend the conference will receive a refund less a $50 administrative fee if written cancellation is received by September 16, 2009. Cancellations may be faxed to 630/262-1520, Attn: Technical Registration Experts. No refunds will be granted afterSeptember 16, 2009. Substitutions are acceptable, or conference materials will be sent in lieu of a refund after the program. The ABA reserves the right to cancel any programs and assumes no responsibility for personal expenses.
9. CLE Credit
CLE accreditation has been requested for this conference from every state with mandatory continuing legal education requirements for lawyers. Please be aware that each state has its own rules and regulations, including its definition of CLE. Check with your state agency for confirmation of this program's approval. Attorneys seeking to obtain MCLE credit in Louisiana and/or Pennsylvania will be required to pay state accreditation fees directly to these states. Certificates of attendance will be available the last day of the conference at the registration desk. You may contact your respective state(s) for confirmation of the number of CLE credit hours requested by the ABA or credit approved by any particular state.
10. Membership
To encourage registrants to join the ABA Forum on Franchising, the reduced member's tuition rate will be extended to registrants who join the Forum when they register for the conference. Forum membership dues are $50 for attorneys/associates and $10 for law students. Membership in the ABA and one Section is a prerequisite to Forum membership. Please include a separate check (payable to the American Bar Association) for membership dues.
11. Additional Course Materials
CD-ROM materials for all programs may be available for purchase after the conference by calling the ABA Service Center at 1-800-285-2221.
12. Forum Policy Regarding Self-Promotion and Conflicts
In order to insure a spirit of collegiality at the Annual Forum, please respect the Forum on Franchising's policy which provides that no individual, group or entity (other than the ABA) may engage in any type of self promotion or conflicting activities (such as giving gifts; hosting group functions i.e., more than six guests including meals, parties, sporting events, meetings or seminars; or displaying or distributing advertising, marketing materials, books, articles, case reports or anything of value or scheduling non-Forum sponsored group meetings) at or in connection with the Annual Forum or any Forum sponsored events (i.e., from the time the first event or program starts to the time the last event or program ends), in or near the city where the Forum event is taking place. The 2009 Annual Forum starts at noon, Wednesday, October 14, 2009 and concludes at the end of the Guest Tour on Saturday, October 17th at 5:00 p.m.
13. Tax Deduction for Educational Expenses
In the United States an income tax deduction may be allowed for educational expenses undertaken to maintain or improve professional skills. This includes registration fees, travel, meals and lodging expenses (see Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.162-2) Coughlin v. Commissioner, 203 F.2d 307 (2nd Cir. 1953.)
14. Americans with Disabilities Act
If special arrangements are required for disabled individuals to attend this program, please contact Kimberly Nelson in writing by September 21, 2009 at the American Bar Association, 321 N. Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60610. Fax: 312/988-5677.
15. Dress
In keeping with Forum tradition, participants are encouraged to wear business casual attire during the programs and to the special events.
