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57th CONVENTION | HOTEL
| TRANSPORTATION | GETTING AROUND AIRPORT
FITNESS / WATER AEROBICS | WELCOME
DINNER | TOURS | TOUR
ONLINE REGISTRATION | MEALS
REGISTRATION DEADLINES
| CONVENTION ONLINE REGISTRATION | CONVENTION
SCHEDULE
CONVENTION
SPONSORS | CONVENTION PACKET
Come to
Orlando in June 2009!
The Mended Hearts
57th National Convention will be held in Orlando, Florida, from June 6-10,
2009. As Southern Regional Director and Convention Chairman, I look forward
to having you join us for a fun-filled and educational experience.
The
Orlando location promises to be ideal for this event. The hotel and meeting
facilities are spacious and convenient to dining and recreational areas.
Universal Studios is just across the street. Many of you know of the many
attractions in the area for the whole family and the weather should be
delightful. There will be a plentiful list of things to do, and I doubt
that you could visit them all.
Outside Orlando, Central
Florida offers other attractions such as the Kennedy Space Center and
air-boating on the St. Johns River.
The Convention itself
will be filled with the learning and exchange of ideas that have been
the hallmark of these events. You will meet new and old friends from around
the country and share the camaraderie of being with fellow Mended Hearts
and their caregivers.
The Orlando Chapter
#296, and many other Florida chapters in the area, look forward to welcoming
you. Please make your plans to attend as soon as you can. You will not
be disappointed!
Sincerely,
Gordon "Gus" Littlefield,
Chairman
2009 National Mended Hearts Convention
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MHI 57th Annual
Convention: Building Our Future On A Strong Foundation!
The Southern Region invites you to join the magic land of Orlando, Florida,
where you will feel the excitement and energy the moment you arrive. Magic,
smiles, memories, education and engaging speakers are sure to make an
event to remember! It is sincerely hoped that this information will be
helpful to you in planning your trip to the Mended Heart's 57th Annual
Convention.
Hotel Reservations:
Please contact the hotel directly regarding your hotel accommodations.
The Mended Hearts-negotiated hotel convention sleeping room rate is $110.00
+ 6.5% tax, for a single/double/triple/quad room. For those who wish to
come into town early or stay later, the group rate will apply June 3 through
June 13, 2009 based on availability.
For reservations,
call the hotel toll free at 1-800-222-TREE or 407-351-1000. Be sure to
request a room in the "NORTH TOWER" and the group rate for the Mended
Hearts Convention.
Doubletree Hotel At The Entrance
To Universal Orlando
5780 Major Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32819
1-800-222-TREE or 407-351-1000
Online Reservations: www.doubletreeorlando.com
Check in time: 4:00 p.m.
Check out time: 11:00 a.m.
Hotel
Parking: The Doubletree Orlando offers secured parking. The Mended
Hearts negotiated self-parking rate is $5 per day.
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Convention
Registration: Registrations must be received
no later than May
15, 2009.
Please return registration forms to the National Office. You can also register
online.
Early Bird
Registration: Early Bird package price if
received by National by April
30, 2009 offers
a $15 discount. Discount does not apply to A la carte package price.
(See Convention Fee Schedule on registration form).
Late Convention
Registration: A
late fee of $25.00 will be applied for all registration received after May
1, 2009.
Transportation
Options: The Doubletree Hotel does not provide transportation to and
from the airport; however the following are options to consider:
|
Costs
|
|
| Adult (age 12
and older) |
$29.00 - $4.00
discount = $25.00 per adult round trip |
| Child (ages 4-11) |
$23.00 - $4.00
discount = $19.00 per child adult round trip |
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Getting Around
the Orlando Airport: If
you are flying into Orlando, and are unfamiliar with the terminal facility,
click
here to find helpful information in finding your way around the airport.
Meals: The hotel is being provided
with American Heart Association guidelines for meal preparations and will
offer healthy options when possible. You may sign up for the Farewell
Dinner seating preferences at the registration table upon check-in.
Attire: Business casual
attire is perfect for the annual convention events. At the special awards
dinner and induction of new officers, June 10th, it is suggested that
gentlemen wear a sports coat and ladies wear a dress or business pants
suit. Weather permitting, the 'Meet & Greet' will be an outdoor event
with a tropical theme. Men wear your favorite tropical shirt and ladies
may wear their flower-printed sundresses or Muu Muu's.
Be sure to remember comfortable
walking shoes for walking any tours you've purchased. A light sweater
might come in handy indoors as air temperatures may vary in meeting rooms.
Bring your sunglasses and light backpacks for carrying bottled water or
medications. MOST IMPORTANT - REMEMBER YOUR CAMERA!
Weather: June
temperatures in Orlando average in the low 80s to highs in low 90s. Evening
lows in the lower 70s. The most precipitation on average occurs in June
and July, so be sure tp bring an umbrella and light rain gear.
Fitness Stroll: No need to
miss your daily walk, join fellow MHI members for this organized walk Sunday
through Wednesday.
Water Aerobics: Back by popular
demand, water aerobics will be offered each morning for a fresh way to start
your day. Session will be held in the hotel's indoor pool each
morning.
Medical Screenings: Blood
pressure checks and health screenings will be available at no charge on
Monday, June 8th and Tuesday, June 9th.
Scooters: Scooters will be available
to rent at the Doubletree Hotel. In order to give the vendor an estimated
head count, please be sure to indicate scooter needs on your registration
form…under the "Special Requests" section.
A
"magical" experience awaits you in Orlando!
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EVENTS
Convention
Overview and Planned Activities
"Building Our
Future on a Strong Foundation" is the timely theme of the 57th Mended
Hearts Annual Convention. With a newly elected national board of directors,
transition of leadership in the regions and chapters, and ever-evolving
changes in health care and program delivery, Mended Hearts finds itself
once again at a critical crossroads. Join fellow members as we take a
good look at how we can make the most of the strong foundation that made
us the nation's largest community-based heart patient organization while
also building a future that is most meaningful to the heart patients of
today and tomorrow.
As
with previous conventions, you can expect top-notch presentations from
leading medical and content experts on topics important to you, your chapters
and the heart patients you serve. There will be plenty of opportunities
for networking, meeting old friends and new, sharing successes and learned
lessons, picking up lots of helpful 'how-tos', and certainly time to experience
the magic of our host city, Orlando!
Saturday,
June 6, 2009
- Welcome Dinner/ "Zap the Gap"
An exciting evening is planned for this traditional gathering
of Mended Hearts and Mended Little Hearts leaders from around the country.
As Mended Hearts strives to reach heart patients of all ages, you won't
want to miss keynote speaker and "generational humorist" Meagan Johnson.
She promises practical guidance (with a hilarious spin) on how to effectively
communicate with -- and make the most of -- multi-generational relationships.
- Buddy / First Timers
Is this your first time to attend a MHI Conference? Have you
attended before? Allow us to pair veteran MHI members/attendees who
will introduce newcomers to the MHI ropes. Seasoned MHI members are
encouraged to become a "buddy" to a first-time attendee. Buddies and
first timers will sit together during the opening and closing dinners
to share the week's experiences.
- Exhibits
Sponsors and others will be
on hand to discuss their latest products and services.
Sunday, June
7 - Wednesday, June 10, 2009
- Workshops/General Sessions
Gain hands-on experience with potential solutions for your chapter
and fellow heart patient members. Nine workshops and two general sessions
(all presented twice) are led by experienced fellow members and outside
experts who will provide you with firsthand knowledge and best practice
solutions. Topics planned thus far include those on visiting, newsletters,
officer training/board management, chapter development and conflict
resolution, how to most effectively use Power Point in presentations,
caregiver empowerment, and stress reduction techniques, among others.
As with last year, advance registration for
workshops/general sessions isn't required.
- Regional Meetings
Hosted by Regional Directors, chapters will meet by region for
a brief overview of National and Regional goals. These workshops allow
time for questions and comments and are an excellent forum for learning
more about your region and what your regional director has planned for
the coming year.
- Medical Updates - Throughout Convention
Leading medical professionals will present the latest
information regarding heart disease treatment and prevention during
meal functions. Here’s a brief summary of those you can expect:
- Sunday,
June 7: "Cutting -Edge Treatments for Heart Patients: A Cardiothoracic
Surgeon’s View” – Dr. Kathy Magliato, one of the nation’s leading
heart experts, and one of a few female cardiothoracic surgeons in
the world, will share highlights of the latest developments currently
used in treating heart disease. From robotic surgery to gene therapy
to the latest in transplant surgical techniques, Dr. Magliato will
cover the wide array of medical advances available in treating patients
today…and tomorrow.
- Monday,
June 8: “Hearts in Harmony” – Bob Arnot, M.D., lead medical
correspondent for Google Health and author of the book “Seven Steps
to Stop a Heart Attack,” will share highlights of his unprecedented
effort planned for Mended Hearts members and the heart patient community
that targets the mind, body and soul aspects of recovering from
a heart event.
- Tuesday,
June 9: “I Heart Flu Shots III” – For the third consecutive
year, Mended Hearts will sponsor this important awareness effort
in Fall 2009/Spring 2010. A leading health expert will present the
latest information underscoring the importance of heart patients
and their caregivers getting the flu shot. Resources for Mended
Hearts chapters will be premiered.
- Wednesday,
June 10: “US Against Athero” – A medical expert will share latest
information about atherosclerosis, the progressive buildup of plaque
in the inner walls of arteries and a leading cause of coronary heart
disease and stroke. The presentation will include information about
managing atherosclerosis and cholesterol, including risk factor
education, healthy lifestyle tips and questions to ask your doctor.
An update on the “US Against Athero’ campaign, and how chapters
can participate, will be included.
- Fitness Stroll and Water Aerobics
Early risers meet each morning to start the day with a light
stroll or water aerobics in the hotel's swimming pool.
- Meet & Greet Reception
Hosted by the Executive Committee, meet the National officers,
in a casual setting with light refreshments. This will be outdoors in
the hotel's beautiful courtyard. Men - wear your favorite tropical shirt
and ladies may wear their flower-printed sundresses or Muu Muu's.
- Tours
In what has become a convention favorite tradition, lots of optional
tours will be available. Just a few include trips to:
- Winter Park
Cultural Tour
- Private chocolate
class
- Sleuths Mystery
Dinner Show
- Harry P. Leu
Gardens
- Orlando City
Tour
- Kennedy Space
Center
Wednesday,
June 10, 2009
- Awards Dinner
An evening of kudos to the crème de la crème of the MHI membership.
This event is considered by many the "Academy Awards" of MHI. Chapters
and leaders will be recognized for their outstanding contributions to
their local community both in education and leadership. The dinner will
close the week's activities.
This year we will install the 2009-2011 National Board of Directors.
A more
detailed convention schedule will be posted soon!
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TOURS
See tour
sign-up form for dates and times. You can also register
online for the tours.
- Winter Park Cultural Tour:
Downtown Winter Park's charm is magnified in its details: hidden gardens
and side streets that are home to unique stores and shady parks. Take
a scenic boat tour that cruises through three of the city's lakes followed
by a docent-guided tour of the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American
Art, housing the largest collection of Tiffany glass in the world. Experience
why this elegant little college town north of Orlando is known as "Little
Europe". Includes: Transportation, Guided Scenic Boat Tour, Museum Tour
with Docent and Leisure time.
- Chocolate Class: Enjoy
an afternoon of fun as our deluxe vehicles transfer you to your private
chocolate class. You can mold and create your own chocolate delights,
including thousands of shape molds and fruits. One full pound of your
own handmade chocolates will be yours to take home! Includes: Transportation
and Chocolate Class with Supplies.
- Sleuths Mystery Dinner Show:
Since 1980, Sleuths Mystery Dinner Show has been providing an exciting
and intellectually stimulating form of entertainment in Orlando. Tonight
you will enjoy reserved seats at the mystery dinner show provided by
Sleuths' cast which has traveled through Europe, the United States and
Puerto Rico. Includes: Transportation, Mystery Show with dinner and
unlimited beer, wine and soda.
- Harry P. Leu Gardens: Harry P. Leu Gardens
features: Miles of paved scenic walkways that take you through garden
settings, including America's largest Camellia collection outside California
and the largest formal rose garden in Florida, a house museum dating
from the 1880's, Palm garden, and a bamboo garden! Includes: Transportation
and Guided Tour of Leu Gardens.
- Orlando City Tour: Orlando
City Tour includes a two-hour guided tour aboard deluxe vehicles as
you enjoy the sights and sounds of the best-kept secrets in Orlando.
Includes: Transportation and Guide.
- Kennedy Space Center: Worlds apart from Orlando's
theme parks, Kennedy Space Center is NASA's Launch headquarters. Tour
the launch and landing facilities, experience live shows and jaw-dropping
encounters with massive rockets as well as have the opportunity to meet
a real member of NASA's Astronaut Corps. Lunch is on your own at your
choice of facilities on site at the Space Center. Includes: Transportation
and Admission to Kennedy Space Center.
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2009 Mended Hearts Convention Sponsors
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CONVENTION
PACKETS WILL BE MAILED WEEK OF MARCH 16TH.
Click HERE
to download the CONVENTION PACKET.
If
you do not want the entire conference packet, but individual forms:
Click HERE
to download the CONVENTION REGISTRATION FORM.
Click HERE to download
the BUDDY REGISTRATION FORM.
Click HERE to download the
TOUR SIGNUP FORM
All information
is in .PDF format and requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view.
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