Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

March/April 2001

Southeast/Southwest Bi-Regional Conference To Be Co-Hosted By Tennessee and Baton Rouge Chapters
by Elizabeth Pogue, Tennessee Chapter President


THE TENNESSEE AND BATON ROUGE Chapters of NADE extend a heartfelt invitation to attend the Southeast/Southwest Bi-Regional Conference, May 15-18 at the Sheraton Nashville downtown hotel in Nashville. Committee members in both chapters have been working together to provide a pleasurable atmosphere for an interesting and informative program.

A wide variety of topics will be offered throughout the conference. Plans include medical presentations directed at cutting edge technological advances, Social Security Administration updates, and other interesting educational sessions. Breakout sessions include topics such as fraud, traumatic brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation and support staff management.

The President’s Reception will be on Tuesday evening with desserts and beverages afterward in the Hospitality Suite. An exciting evening tour of the Opryland Hotel/Opry Mills Complex is planned for Wednesday evening. The Awards Luncheon on Thursday will feature Tennessee’s new Director, Tamra L. Smith as the motivational speaker. Thursday evening is the popular Dancin’ in the District with star artists/musicians entertaining on the river and musical entertainment throughout the 2nd Avenue District.

The Sheraton is conveniently located in the heart of Nashville’s business district, within walking distance of the TN DDS office, the Ryman Auditorium, the Tennessee State Museum and historic 2nd Avenue District filled with night life, entertainment and fine restaurants. It is two blocks from the Arcade, a downtown pedestrian mall with a diversity of small cafes offering informal, inexpensive lunches.

A 28-story atrium-style hotel, the Sheraton has just completed a $7 million renovation. It has Nashville’s only revolving rooftop ballroom. It also offers Speaker’s Café, a full service restaurant featuring American cuisine. The Sessions Lounge has a big screen television and billiard table. Pizza Hut pizza is baked on premises and is available through room service. Guestrooms offer electronic lock and keys, in-room voice mail, iron and ironing boards, and coffee with coffee makers. There is covered, secure parking for $12.00/day self-parking and $15.00/day valet parking. The hotel offers downtown shuttle service for $9.00 one-way and $15.00 round trip. Featured for your convenience and comfort are a business center with fax, computer and telex services, a complimentary health facility and indoor swimming pool and 18-hour room service. The hotel has a lovely gift shop with many Tennessee related products and souvenirs.

The hotel rates are $99.00 a night single or double occupancy. Sales tax is at 8.25 percent and there is a 5 percent city hotel fee. This rate is good for the weekends before and after the conference. For reservations, phone the hotel at 615-259-2000 or 1-800-447-9825 and reserve under the group name “NADE”.

Delta Airlines is the official airline for the conference. Call Reservations at 1-800-241-6760 and use file number 164255A. Avis rent-a-car and Delta have granted group discounts. Conference registration is $75.00

Our hospitality suite will feature various fare throughout the conference with an innovative help-yourself cereal and coffee/tea breakfast and special southwest food on Thursday night. T-shirts with the conference logo will be available at registration, or you can order early when you send in your registration fee.

Make plans now to attend the Southeast/Southwest Bi-Regional Conference in Nashville and let the Tennessee and Baton Rouge chapters welcome you with Southern hospitality!