NEW: This year we will be offering special package pricing for 1-day, 2-day or 3-day attendance at our conference. 

If you’re considering attending a LLL conference for the first time, you may think this is too good to be true. You may wonder, “Can I really hear experts with my babe-in-arms? Can my family attend and find entertaining activities?” or “Will I benefit professionally from a lactation conference that also supports families?” Yes! Yes! and Yes!

We are excited to host the bi-annual 2010 La Leche League of Washington Parenting & Breastfeeding Conference in the family-friendly city of Redmond, Washington. We have worked hard to create an educational, dynamic and fun program for you! As the world's foremost authority on breastfeeding, we're offering a unique opportunity to meet other like-minded parents and professionals while learning about breastfeeding, parenting, childbirth, discipline, nutrition and child development from parents and professionals who are experts on these topics.

The conference sessions are just what you've needed: they're informative, presenting the latest facts and techniques; they're inspiring, interactive and engaging; and best of all, they empower you.

At our LLL Conference you can:

1. Attend inspiring sessions on breastfeeding, parenting, health, nutrition and personal development
2. Gain knowledge to work together with other healthcare professionals to ensure we are embracing and embolding the breastfeeding families in our community
   
3. Enjoy rejuvenating sessions for the whole family
4. View and buy products from a variety of exhibitors
5. Earn over 22 continuing education credits Friday, Saturday and Sunday
6. Earn 1.25 CE-E Ethics credits
   
7. Network with participants from around the Pacific Northwest
   

Your 2010 Conference Team

We have done our best to provide you with as much information as possible through this Web site. If you still have questions that have not been addressed, please contact Marianne at marianne@amesrgi.com:

Marianne Ames
Area Coordinator of Events, Advertising/Exhibiting
Email: marianne@amesrgi.com

Melissa Bonghi
Speaker Ambassador, Speaker Gifts & Pizzaz
Email: bonghi@compassds1.net

Judy Hulse
Registrar , Conference Planning Committee
Email: 48jhulse@comcast.net

Bryn Riekstins
Co-Silent Auction Coordinator
Email: brynriekstins@gmail.com

Joanna Cady
Co-Silent Auction Coordinator
Email: jlbx2@hotmail.com

Mary Tatko
Program Book Layout Coordinator
Email: tatkos@cableone.net

Becky Milham
Speaker Ambassador
Email: beckymilham@msn.com

Karen Baker
Session Hostess Coordinator
Email: kjmbaker@gmail.com

Brandi Crockett
Hotel Hostess
Email: brani_boo@hotmail.com

Lauren Hansen
Hotel Hostess
Email: lswim96@hotmail.com

Session Definition

General sessions (G) provide information that has broad appeal to all attendees. Continuing Education (CE) or (E) sessions, while open to all registrants, are geared to health care professionals. Leader and Leader Applicants (L/LA) sessions are specifically tailored to the needs and interests of LLL Leaders and Applicants, Father (F) sessions are exclusively for fathers, (FAM) sessions are geared towards families, (KIDS) are Camp Extraordinary Adventures sessions . La Leche League of WA is not necessarily in agreement with or responsible for any of the statements made by the speakers at the conference.

Registration Deadlines

Registration is open till Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 9 PM, PST.  Registration, without meals, is available till Thursday, October 14, 20010 at 5:00 PM, PST.  

Refund and Cancellations

Full Refund requests will be honored seven days before the event, minus $10.00 processing fee.  After this date, fees will be considered a donation to LLL of WA.

How long is the conference?

On Friday we will have our Continuing Education day, a general session seminar geared to health care professionals, LLL Leaders and LLL Applicants.  Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday we showcase our concurrent session series; offering topics covering parenting, childbirth, breastfeeding, parenting, nutrition, health, communication and 2 CE sessions per time slot.

Who Should Register?

All those wishing to attend sessions must register; exhibitors, mothers, fathers, children, etc. Register and pay online or mail completed registration form and a check or money order made payable to: “LLL of Washington” c/o Judy Hulse, You may contact Judy Hulse at48jhulse@comcast.net. When emailing, please include “Area Conference Registration” in the subject line.

The conference is a great chance to rejuvenate yourself and reaffirm your participation in LLL. It is uplifting to be around so many people who support LLL philosophy and mother through breastfeeding. Take advantage of the opportunity to connect with old friends and forge new friendships with other LLL families.

Children at our Conference

Babies and children with their parents are a La Leche League conference’s most distinctive and heart-warming feature. At any LLL gathering, you can expect to be “serenaded” by baby noises. However, noisy or very active play by babies and toddlers can be distracting to others in the session. Please be considerate of others also attending, you may leave and return to the session, no one would be offended.

Continuing Education Sessions

This 3-day conference is designed to enable participants to obtain a broader perspective of the health benefits of breastfeeding, to identify factors that influence the breastfeeding experience, and to develop strategies to assist mothers in overcoming difficulties.  We are offering over 23 CE credits Friday, Saturday and Sunday for nurses and dietiticians 23 for IBCLC's,  and an CE-E credit session Saturday night that is complimentary with your weekend conference package or 1-day Saturday or Sunday registration.

An application for credit has been submitted to each of the following organizations:

22 Credits International Board Lactation Consultant Examiners (CEARPS)
23 Credits WA State Dietitians Association (CPEU hours)
23 Credits WA State Nurses Association (CE hours)
MEAC

 Contact hours for this continuing nursing education activity has been submitted to the Washington State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.  Please contact Emily Healy at La Leche League of Washington for more information about contact hours.  (206) 949-3076 LLLemhealy@gmail.com


CE Sessions are based on specific time requirements, and they start promptly. Speakers do not have the time available to repeat the initial part of their presentation for those who are late unless it is a clarification issue.


Children attending CE Sessions
Observing babies & their mothers is a central part of breastfeeding education. Infants in arms are welcome.

Conference Merchandise

Information Coming soon!

Bookstore

Save on shipping! A variety of books about breastfeeding, parenting, nutrition and more will be available. We have several authors speaking---- buy their book and have it signed.

Exhibits

Our Conference Sponsors and many educational and commercial Exhibitors are excited to introduce products, services, and information to you. Hours of Exhibit Hall: Friday 8 AM-5 pm, 6 pm–10 pm, Saturday 10 am-6 pm and Sunday 10 am–5 pm.

Diaper Changing

Diaper changing stations will be available in many of the restrooms. Please be sensitive to others when dealing with diaper changing needs.

Conference Team

We need your helping hand and friendly smile to make our Conference a success! Please sign up on the registration form and receive $5.00 off your registration fee. Indicate day, time or activity. Conference volunteers assist LLL of WA to present a high-quality, well-organized conference. Conference Team members will not miss meals. Your help and support will be greatly appreciated.

Conference Session Hostess

Session hostess's/monitors will be stationed in each session's meeting room to provide assistance, answer questions and introduce speakers. If you have been assigned as a Conference Hostess, please report to the host station at the registration desk. Please sign up on the registration form. Last-minute help is greatly appreciated if you would like to volunteer.

Meals

All meals served are buffet style with meat, no meat and gluten free options.  Meals can be purchased individually or as part of the package. You must present your meal ticket to receive a meal. Babies and toddlers are welcome to sit on a parent’s lap and share the meal (3 and under.) Only those children with meal tickets will be seated individually at the table. Please check at the registration desk to see if anyone wants to buy or sell a meal ticket.

Casual wear/comfortable nursing wear is appropriate. Babies, children and families are welcome at all LLL events. Many families bring the following items to help make the Conference experience go smoothly:

• The hotel is well air-conditioned. A sweater, jacket, or shawl is suggested and also a blanket or cover for your baby and children.
• Small blankets if your baby plays on the floor
• QUIET noiseless and “losable” toys that your child won’t mind sharing
• Baby carrier, sling or backpack; diaper
• Tote bag/backpack to carry purchases from exhibitors or the Bookstore
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Swimwear for the pool and hot tub, Sandals/foot covering when walking in hotel areas
• Conference Registration Brochure
• Personal checkbook or credit card

You may also consider bringing a Mother’s helper to attend with you. Parents are expected to provide supervision of children under the age of 13. List the mother’s helper on the Registration Form so a nametag can be included in your registration packet.

As a courtesy to other hotel guests and families, the hotel staff has asked that parents remind teen or pre-teens not to ride in the elevators as entertainment or to relieve boredom. We appreciate your cooperation to remind the older children of this request also.

Why does it cost so much to attend a conference?

LLL of WA is a non-profit organization.  The Area must pay for each room used. For each breakout room, there is staff paid to clean, set up chairs and tables, bring in cups and water, and provide audio/visual equipment. Each session and speaker may have different requirements for chair arrangements and a/v. An Area Conference books many rooms. There are rooms for sessions, exhibitors, silent auction, children's play & rest and meals.  All money earned goes to our community to help support mothers and babies breastfeed. 

Why are meals so expensive?

Meals include a fee for a gratuity (22%%) and tax (8%) just as any restaurant charges. In order to make a prediction of how much business we will bring to the hotel kitchen there is a meal guarantee. The Area guarantees the hotel that a minimum number of meals will be sold. If this minimum is not met, the Area must pay for the food anyway.

Meals - general

It is very difficult to accommodate every food allergy and food preference, so this year we made all our meals buffet style with meat, vegetarian and gluten free options. The conference committee and hotel staff will work tirelessly to design a menu that will be appealing to all. Let us know how we did! Fill out your online evaluation form!

Why should I stay over?

Before you call up cousin Sally to stay on her couch, remember that staying over at the hotel means not having to tiptoe around someone else's house, return the favor, worry about traffic or weather, or offer to help with clean up. And Cousin Sally probably doesn't have an indoor pool for the kids. The Area guarantees that a certain number of sleeping rooms will be booked for the conference. If this number is not met, the Area will still be charged.

Who decided on the session topics?

A wonderful group of volunteers put in many hours developing the session list. If you think that the offerings could be better next year, please complete your evaluation after the conference and consider volunteering for the Conference team next year.We'd love to have you!

Can I use a stroller at the Conference?

If you or your child is disabled or you have multiples, you may use a stroller in the hotel. Due to the large number of families attending, strollers are not permitted except in these special situations. If you need a stroller permit for one of these situations, please put a note on your Registration Form in this section; "Check here if you have a disability and may require accommodation to fully participate. Please indicate need:".

A room where parent and baby can spend quiet time, nurse or nap. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver at all times.  Please check at Registration desk for the key to the Room. 

Exhibits and Silent Auction

The Exhibit Hall will provide you with an opportunity to learn about a wide variety of services and products. There will also be items available for sale by exhibitors and at our boutiques. Once again we will provide you with the opportunity to place your bids at the Silent Auction. Bid on the baskets donated by Area Groups and Districts from LLL of WA. If you are a winner, you or a representative must be present to claim your basket. All proceeds from the Silent Auction will go to the Washington LLL groups.

Exhibit Hall Hours:
Friday 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Friday 6:00 PM– 10:00 PM
Saturday 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Where do I pick up my Registration Packet?

Go to the Registration Desk. Your nametag, luncheon tickets, Program Book, session schedule and other materials will be in the packet.

Do I need to order a lunch for my child?

If your child will need a seat and/or meal at the luncheon, a child’s meal must be purchased. If your child is enrolled in Kid's Camp Extraordinary Adventures, lunch is included in the cost. Lap children are welcome at the luncheon but they will not receive their own meals. Children sitting on your lap can share your meal. Children must stay seated or be on a parent or caregiver’s lap for the safety of the service personnel.

Please remember that it is dangerous for children to be roaming through the dining room when meals are served and dishes are cleared. For everyone’s safety, all children must be seated individually or on your lap. The floor is not a safe place for a sleeping baby/child during the luncheon or at a session without a parent or caregiver close to the baby/child.

What activities are available for my children who will be with me?

Children and families are what La Leche League is all about. Families are an integral part of the Conference. Please visit the Family Activities page and Kids Camp page.

*For children of all ages there will be LLL Kids Camp Extraordinary Adventures, please check out the details on the children's activities page, held concurrently with parents’ sessions. You or your caregiver must remain with your child under 3 at all times since no childcare is available.

First Aid

A limited variety of "Band-Aids" pins and other emergency supplies are located at the Registration desk.

Change in Program

La Leche League reserves the right to substitute or cancel speakers and/or sessions. La Leche League of WA is not necessarily in agreement with or responsible for any of the statements made by the speakers at the conference.