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1. Hotel Information:
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The conference will be held at the Hilton Austin, 500 East 4th Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Phone 512/482-8000 - Guest Fax 512/469-0078. Arrangements for childcare can be made by contacting the hotel’s concierge. Visit the hotel’s website at www.austin.hilton.com for further information.
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2. Hotel Reservations:
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THE AUSTIN HILTON IS SOLD OUT ON THE NIGHTS OF WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY. Click here to make reservation directly with the hotel. THERE ARE SEVERAL HOTELS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE TO THE HILTON.
Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Austin Downtown | more »
300 East 4th Street Austin, TX 78701
Website, Tel: 512-236-8008
Doubletree Club Hotel | more »
1617 N. IH-35 Austin, TX 78702
Doubletree Guest Suites | more »
303 W. 15th St. Austin, TX 78701
Website, Tel: 512-478-7000
Driskill Hotel | more »
604 Brazos St. Austin, TX 78701
Embassy Suites Austin Downtown/Town Lake | more »
300 S. Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78704
Website, Tel: 512-469-9000
Four Seasons Hotel Austin | more »
98 San Jacinto Blvd. Austin, TX 78701
Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown | more »
200 San Jacinto Blvd. Austin, TX 78701
Website, Tel: 512-472-1500
Hilton Garden Inn Austin Downtown | more »500 N. IH-35 Austin, TX 78701
Website, Tel: 512-480-8181
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3. Air Travel:
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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) Business is 1-866-321-8403.
Ground Travel: The Hilton Austin is only seven miles from Austin Bergstrom International Airport.
Taxis are available at a rate of $25 each way. Shuttle services and rental car companies are
located on the airport premises. On-site parking at the Hilton is $25.00 per night for valet and
self-parking is $15 per night. ABA attendees will receive a 5% discount on parking fees.
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4. Program Registration:
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To register for all programs and events described in this brochure, please submit your
completed registration form and payment to: Technical Registration Experts, 13 South Second
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 22, 2008. Guest
tickets for special events are available for an additional fee. Please see the registration form for
price details.
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5. On-Site Check In:
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Beginning Wednesday, October 15, 2008 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, conference
bags with information kits and course materials.
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6. On-Site Registration:
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On site registration is available for those persons who missed the registration deadline. If you
plan to register at the door, please call Kim Turner at 312/988-5666 on or before Friday, October
10, 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.
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7. Tuition information:
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Tuition for the Wednesday intensive programs is separate from and in addition to the Thursday and Friday program registration fee. Intensive program tuition includes course materials, box lunch, and beverage break. Tuition for the main program includes admission to the two day program, welcome reception, continental breakfasts, beverage breaks, lunches, course materials and the Annual Reception/Dinner.
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8. Cancellation Policy:
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Registrants who are unable to attend the program will receive a refund less a $75 administrative
fee if written cancellation is received by September 22, 2008. Cancellations may be faxed to
630/262-1520, Attn: Technical Registration Experts. No refunds will be granted after
September 22, 2008.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.
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9. CLE Credit:
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CLE accreditation has been requested for this program from every state with mandatory
continuing legal education requirements for lawyers. 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 must 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.
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10. Membership:
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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 program.
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.
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11. Additional Course Materials:
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Materials for all programs may be available for purchase after the conference by calling the
ABA Service Center at 1-800-285-2221.
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12. Forum Policy Regarding Self Promotion and Conflicts:
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In order to insure a spirit of collegiality at the Annual Forum, please respect the Forum on Franchising's policy 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 2008 Annual Forum starts at noon, Wednesday, October 15, 2008 and concludes at the end of the Guest Tour on Saturday, October 18th at 5:00 p.m.
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13. Tax Deduction for Educational Expenses:
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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.)
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14. Americans with Disabilities Act:
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If special arrangements are required for disabled individuals to attend this program, please
contact Kelly Rodenberg in writing by September 22, 2008 at the American Bar Association,
321 N. Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60610. Fax: 312/988 5677.
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15. Dress:
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In keeping with Forum tradition, participants are encouraged to wear business casual attire
during the programs and to the special events. Austin is a very walkable city, so please bring
comfortable shoes.
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17. Questions:
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If you have questions or require additional conference information, please call 312/988 5666 or 5794. Fax: 312/988 5677; email: turnerk@staff.abanet.org.
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