From The President:

I want to take this opportunity to update you on some key items.

2013 NATIONAL TRAINING CONFERENCE — It's that time of year when everyone is crunching numbers and putting in for training costs for 2013. This leads quite naturally to the question of what ASAP is going to provide for training next year. Unfortunately, we are stalled in our efforts to finalize 2013 training programs due to possible congressional amendments that would severely limit agency personnel from attending educational programs. For our 2013 National Training Conference, we researched Seattle and Orlando as options, with Orlando being the most cost effective. However, as travel budgets were being further slashed, we turned our attention to Philadelphia. Although Philadelphia does not offer the contractual incentives that cities like New Orleans and Las Vegas offer that would allow ASAP to hold down registration fees, it does offer the opportunity to cut travel costs for about 40-50% of our attendees. We also are looking at sites in the Washington, D.C. area because we are concerned that for many even travel to Philadelphia may not be possible. ASAP is a space intensive group and not many hotels will bid on ASAP business, especially with the requirement of government per diem rates for sleeping rooms. We are continuing our efforts and will update you as soon as we have more information.

ADVOCACY ON YOUR BEHALF — As mentioned, there are congressional amendments that would virtually prohibit agency attendance at meetings, if passed as currently worded. Under the auspices of the American Society of Association Executives, ASAP has joined with over 800 other groups (associations, non-profits, hospitality industry groups and travel groups) and signed an open letter to Congress voicing concern about federal meeting prohibitions. Also, as approved by the ASAP Board of Directors, ASAP is looking to coordinate congressional visits with other groups to express our concern that if the legislation passes, we will not be able to provide quality training to the majority of the access community. While not all ASAP Board members are able to participate in congressional visits, several board members who are not federal employees will be able to represent the best interests of all ASAP members and conference attendees. This illustrates one of our greatest strengths – our diversity and collegial, collaborative composition.

A few other quick items:

Webinars are coming to ASAP!! The committee, chaired by Scott Hodes, has met with a provider and development is in the works. Watch for more information on this exciting new development.

The ASAP Training Series registration scheduled for August 1, 2 and/or 3 is now open — visit www.accesspro.org. Chair Karen Finnegan and committee have developed a fantastic program with several new sessions. Check it out!

The Food For Thought Training Seminar will be held at Carmine’s (Washington, D.C.) on July 19. Details will be forthcoming soon.

The ASAP FOIA/Privacy Act Workshop is scheduled for September 5-7, 2012. Planning Chair Steve McConnell and committee have drafted a program and logistical details are being finalized. Registration will open in the next few weeks so be on the lookout for a notification.

Scott Hodes is chairing the Annual Symposium and Training Conference, scheduled for December 4-5. His committee is working on details now, so more information will be available as we get closer.

ASAP will open registration for the September and December programs early. Many of you need to commit funding so we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Many thanks for your support, and I look forward to a very busy time over the next several months.

Sincerely,
Anne Weismann
ASAP President, 2011-2012