2012 Annual Conference

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Download the Registration Brochure!


 

We pleased to announce our distinguished Keynote Speakers at the IOA 7th Annual Conference!

Monday, April 16, 2012 David Yamada, Professor of Law, Suffolk University Law School	Tuesday, April 17, 2012 Michael Dues, Lecturer, University of Arizona, Management Consultant	Wednesday, April 18, 2012 Sherry D. Williams, Esq., Sr. VP, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, Halliburton

 

Click Here to Download the Keynote Speaker Biographies 

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE AGENDA AT A GLANCE

Online Registration

• Organizational Ombudsman 101: Foundations of Practice and General Conference Special Package Pricing Registration
 
• Pre-Conference and General Conference Registration

Professional Development Courses will be offered prior to the start of the Annual Conference.  Organizational Ombudsman 101: Foundations of Practice will begin on Friday, April 13, 2012 and lasts 2 1/2 days. Organizational Ombudsman 101 PLUS will be offered on Sunday, April 15, 2012, immediately following Organizational Ombudsman 101: Foundations of Practice.
 

For detailed course information about Organizational Ombudsman 101: Foundations of Practice and Organizational Ombudsman 101 PLUS, click here. 

Pre-Conference Courses will take place on Sunday, April 15, 2012. A listing of Pre-Conference Courses is below. For Pre-Conference Course abstracts, click here.  
 

Pre-Conference Full Day Course #1: Conflict Coaching for the Organizational Ombuds
Melissa Brodrick, Ombudsperson, Harvard Medical School/Dental School/School of Public Health
Jean Griffin, Associate Ombuds, University of Cincinnati

Pre-Conference Full Day Course #2: Using Mediation and other Informal Interventions to Deal with Workplace Bullying and Harassment Issues
Barbara McCulloch, Principal Mediator and Prevention of Harassment Officer, The University of Auckland, New Zealand

Pre-Conference Half Day AM Course #1: Improving the Organization's Conflict Climate
Michael Dues, Professor, University of Arizona
Sue Theiss, Ombudsman, Oregon State University

Pre-Conference Half Day AM Course #2: Mind-Hack: Ombudsing with the Brain in Mind
Mauricio Ramos, Corporate Ombudsman, Sandia National Labs

Pre-Conference Half Day PM Course #1: Managing Up: Helping Visitors Improve Relationships with their Supervisors
Nancy Day, Faculty Ombudsperson, University of Missouri, Kansas City
Doranne Hudson, Associate Teaching Professor & Executive in Residence, University of Missouri, Kansas City

Pre-Conference Half Day PM Course #2: The Culture Bump Approach: Embracing ourPrejudices...An Ombudsman's Guide to Universal Connections
Carol Archer, Instructor, LCC/University of Houston
Jim Wohl, Ombudsman, Auburn University
Stacey Nickson, Associate Director, Biggio Center, Auburn University 

 The General Conference will take place Monday, April 16 through Wednesday, April 18. To view the concurrent session abstracts, click here.

• Support, Advertising, and Exhibiting Opportunities Brochure
• Support, Advertising and Exhibiting Opportunities Online Registration

Hyatt Regency Houston
1200 Louisiana Street
Houston, TX USA
Main Line: (713) 654-1234
www.houstonregency.hyatt.com

Group Room Rate for Single/Double Occupancy: $139.00 USD
*This rate is exlusive of all state and local taxes or applicable hotel fees at the time of check-in.

Online Reservations:  https://resweb.passkey.com/go/IOA2012
 

Phone Reservations: (888) 421-1442; Please reference "International Ombudsman Association" and "Annual Conference"


DEADLINE TO RECEIVE THE GROUP ROOM RATE IS MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2012!


Hotel Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be made 72 hours prior to 3:00pm CST the day of arrival, or first nights room and tax will be charged.

Parking
Overnight Valet: $25.00 plus tax
Self-Parking: $16.00 per day. This is a city-owned parking lot next door to the hotel
 

Check In: 3:00pm
Check Out: 12:00 noon

Complimentary Shuttle to Downtown Areas Only
The hotel operates a courtesy shuttle between our hotel and downtown Houston’s office buildings in the morning and afternoon. Seating is based upon space availability. Contact the Concierge for more details.

Galleria Shuttle
Our hotel staff will provide transportation to the Houston, Texas Galleria (Based on Availability). Roundtrip cost is $18.00. (Subject to change)

    

IOA is proud to once again have Barnes & Noble on-site at the conference with books available for purchase!

Book Selling Hours*
Sunday, April 15: 12:00 pm – 6:00pm
Monday, April 16 – Wednesday, April 18: 9:00 am-5:00 pm
 

Books on the following subjects will be available for purchase:

• Mediation
• Negotiation
• Ombudsman
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Conflict Resolution

BRING YOUR BARNES & NOBLE MEMBERSHIP CARD! Barnes & Noble members receive 10% off all books, magazines, music and DVD purchases as well as upgraded shipping to anywhere in the Continental U.S.

Special Discounts for Conference Attendees!

• FREE Shipping of purchases to anywhere in the Continental U.S.
• $25 Off Nook Tablet or Nook Color when you use your membership card
• $10 Off Nook Simple Touch when you use your membership card

* Hours are tentative and subject to change
 

For more information about Houston and all it has to offer, visit: http://www.visithoustontexas.com/ 
 

POINTS OF INTEREST NEAR HOTEL
• Houston Pavilions featuring House of Blues, Lucky Strike and numerous restaurants (three blocks)
• Downtown Theater District (six blocks)
• Downtown Aquarium (six blocks)
• Discovery Green (eight blocks)
• George R. Brown Convention Center (eight blocks)
• Toyota Center for Rockets basketball (eight blocks)
• Minute Maid Park for Houston Astros baseball (ten blocks)
• Museum District (five miles)
• Reliant Stadium for Houston Texans football (six miles)
• Galleria Shopping Center (seven miles)

Galleria Shuttle
The Hyatt Regency Houston hotel staff will provide transportation to the Houston, Texas Galleria (Based on Availability). Roundtrip cost is $18.00. (Subject to change)

• Connected to Houston's seven-mile tunnel system
• Hermann Park, Houston Zoo and Children's museum (four miles)
 

Airport Information:

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) - approximately 30 minutes from hotel
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) - approximately 20 minutes from hotel

Visit http://www.fly2houston.com/ for additional flight information.

Taxi Information:

To/From George Bush Intercontinental Airport: Taxis are available at evrey terminal. Cost: approximately $48.00
To/From Hobby Airport: Taxis are available at Curb Zone 3 outside of the baggage claim area in the lower level. Cost: approximately $23.00 

METRO Rail
This is a fast and convenient way to travel between downtown and other Houston areas. METRO Rail is only two blocks from the hotel. A one-way fare is just $1.25 (Subject to change).
 

CANCELLATION POLICY/REFUNDS:
Notice of cancellation must be in writing via facsimile or e-mail. Cancellation by telephone is not allowed. To cancel via e-mail, send the cancellation notice to: info@ombudsassociation.org. To cancel by fax send to +1 (908) 842-0376.

If you must cancel your registration, you are encouraged to send a substitute to take your place. Please contact the office and notify us of the change so we can arrange for a name badge and certificate. If you cannot find a substitute to take your place, please refer to the cancellation policy shown below.

10 business days prior to the course = 100% refund
5-9 business days prior to the course = 50% refund
0-4 business days prior to the course = No refund

Note: IOA will not be responsible for the safe-keeping of equipment, supplies, written material or other valuable items left in a function room or guest room.

Consent to Use of Photographic Images
Registration and attendance at, or participation in, International Ombudsman Association's Annual Conference, and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to IOA's use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the registrant or attendee's image or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions and audiotapes of such events and activities.

 

International Ombudsman Association (IOA)
390 Amwell Road, Suite 402
Hillsborough, NJ 08844 USA
Tel: +1 (908) 359-0246
Fax: +1 (908) 842-0376
Email: info@ombudsassociation.org
www.ombudsassociation.org