LSS Professional Development Seminar - Madison, Wisconsin - October 10-12, 2012

More information

LocationNCSL’s Leadership Staff Section (LSS) is meeting in Madison! Join your leadership staff colleagues from across the nation to connect, contribute and collaborate on successful strategies to help you in your legislative staff career. This Professional Development Seminar is designed by legislative staff, for legislative staff, and it happens only once a year— don't miss it! 

LSS provides a forum for state legislative employees who work for legislative leaders or party caucuses. The LSS seminar is designed to help attendees share solutions, discuss innovative uses of communication, increase the effectiveness of legislative staff and forge important connections with peers from around the country. The meeting features a blend of classroom experiences, facilitated dialogue, experiential tours and all-important down-time, when staff have the opportunity to build personal and professional connections with their peers.

This year, six staff sections have joined together to create "SuperPDS 2012," a joint meeting in Madison, Wisconsin. Each of the staff sections will hold its regular professional development seminar during SuperPDS week. All of the staff sections will get together for a plenary session, a luncheon, and a reception at the capitol. In addition, staff sections that have parallel interests will hold joint sessions, where appropriate.

The NCSL Staff Sections participating in SuperPDS 2012  in Madison are: the Legal Services Staff Section, Leadership Staff Section, National Association of Legislative Information Technology, Legislative Information and Communications Staff Section, National Legislative Services and Security Association, and Research and Committee Staff Section.


 

REGISTRATION

Registration fees are:

  • Legislative staff: $350 early bird (by Sept. 7)
  • Legislative staff: $375 regular 
  • Spouse/guest: $150
  • All others: $450

Three ways to register: 

  • Register online Registration online requires a credit card for everyone except legislators and legislative staff. Confirmations will be sent by e-mail, and meeting materials will be mailed.
  • Fax the registration form to 303.364.7811
  • Onsite Registration

If you are unable to meet the Sept. 27, 2012, registration deadline, please register onsite at the Madison Concourse Hotel.

Spouse/Guest Registration. The $150 guest fee includes admission to all scheduled meal functions and evening social events.

Cancellations received in the NCSL Denver office by October 8, 2012 will be refunded minus a $50 processing fee. Cancellations must be made in writing and faxed to 303.364.7811. Fees cannot be refunded for registrations cancelled after the conference begins.

Confirmations will be emailed if an email address is provided with your registration. Letter confirmations will be mailed upon request.

General Information
The seminar is a relaxed learning experience, and business casual attire is recommended for all seminar programs and activities. Sweaters or jackets and layering are recommended for the cool weather and meeting rooms with variable temperatures.

  

HOTEL INFORMATION

Thank you for your interest in the NCSL Super Professional Development Seminar!  We’ve had quite a jump in registrations and consequently, our hotel has sold out of rooms.  We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.

We have booked some overflow rooms at the Sheraton Madison.  Here is the information:

  • Rate: $119/night (plus tax)
  • You can make reservations by calling them directly at 608-251-2300 and referencing the “NCSL Conference.” 
  • Cut-off date: Monday, Sept. 17

The Sheraton is located three miles from the Capitol.  Transportation will be provided from the Sheraton to the Capitol. A transportation schedule will be available onsite.

Should you want to be closer to downtown, please try some of the hotels listed below. Please note that October is extremely busy in Madison and some of these hotels may be sold out as well. NCSL does not have contracted rates at the hotels below, so only the market rate is available via their websites.

Conference Registration and check-in will be at:

  • Madison Concourse Hotel
    1 West Dayton Street
    Madison, Wisconsin 53703
    Tel: 800.356.8293 or 608.257.6000
  

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Madison is served by the Dane County Regional Airport. To make flight reservations through NCSL's travel agency, Christopherson Travel, call:

  • 800.825.3283 or 303.694.4344
    (7 a.m. to 6 p.m. MDT)

Reservations must be made at least seven days in advance, but make arrangements early for the best rates.

Ground Transportation
The Madison Concourse Hotel provides a complimentary airport shuttle. Use the courtesy phones to call for the shuttle. The hotel is located five miles from the Dane County Airport. Cabs are also available; fares are approximately $15 one way. 

Special Needs
To ensure full participation and accessibility for all meeting attendees, please notify Stacy Householder at 303.364.7700, ext. 1352, about any special accommodations you may require.

City Information
Visit the Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau for more information. Average temperatures in Madison in October range from lows of 37° to highs of around 61°. 

Tour and Exhibits
The LSS seminar sessions will be held both at the Madison Concourse Hotel and at the Wisconsin State Capitol. LSS attendees will have the opportunity to tour the Capitol and attend two LSS-only receptions and networking events!