The 2003 NIOA Training Conference will take place Sunday, August 24th through Wednesday, August 27th at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.

If you’ve never had the opportunity to visit, you’re going to be in for a treat, as the Opryland is a gorgeous facility, truly one of the unique hotel properties in America.

Incredibly, NIOA has secured a conference rate of only $82 a night (plus taxes)! Watch this site and the NIOA News for more information as it becomes available.

Click here to print and complete registration form
 

TENTATIVE CONFERENCE INFORMATION

Agenda | Conference Rates | The City
Hotel Information | Travel | Shuttle/Rentals
Spouses | Like to Shop? | Elections | Questions

2002 Information | 2001 Information

AGENDA - Click here and print a copy of the agenda (PDF)

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24

BASIC PIO CLASS

For those new to the job, NIOA is offering a free, basic 8-hour PIO class. The class will be taught by Ronnie Jones, formerly of the Louisiana State Police. Jones is now a university professor and consultant who owns his own communications business. This class is free to registered conference attendees. For those who wish to attend the class, but are not registered for the full conference, a $100 fee will apply.

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION MEETING

A chance for new members to meet the Board of Directors and learn about the organization and the conference.

REGIONAL MEETINGS

An opportunity to meet with your Regional Director and other members from your area to network and discuss issues of mutual concern.

PRESIDENT’S RECEPTION

An open reception for all members and spouses, offering a chance to make new friends and renew acquaintances in a relaxed atmosphere. No children please!

MONDAY, AUGUST 25

THE D.C. AREA SNIPERS

We'll spend the day discussing the D. C. Area shootings with Major Frank Kitzerow, commander of the CIU at the Fairfax County Police and the Lead of the Prosecution Task Force for the sniper shootings. Joining Kitzerow will be Jim Cavanaugh and Joe Green from ATF and Nancy Demme, former PIO for the Montgomery County Police. Members of the media involved in the coverage will form a panel in the afternoon. They will be joined by John Seigenthaler, former Editorial Director for USA Today.

EVENING SOCIAL EVENT

It's a return trip to the General Jackson Showboat, one of the largest of its kind in the country! In addition to some of the best singers and dancers, a lively seven-piece band will entertain us. The event also includes a multi-course gourmet dinner. It is an evening of fun for the whole family. Tickets will be sold at registration check in for $25, a substantial discount of the regular priced tickets. MONDAY, AUGUST 25th

TUESDAY, AUGUST 26

THE TENNESSEE DOG SHOOTING

In January, as a North Carolina family was driving home through Tennessee, their car was stopped by state troopers and Cookeville, Tennessee police officers who believed the vehicle was possibly connected to a robbery. The two adults and their teenage son were ordered from the vehicle. Their dog ran out through an open door and was shot to death by an officer who reported that it came at him in an aggressive manner. This case received national attention and incensed thousands of pet loving citizens. The persons on the front line of this issue from the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Cookeville Police Department will talk about how they addressed the uproar.

BUSINESS LUNCHEON / ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Keynote Speaker Retired Air Force Brigadier General Ken Swanson.

A 32-year Air Force veteran, General Swanson is now a freelance columnist and military commentator whose work has appeared in USA Today and will speak about how the military has learned to use the media for its own benefit and how the “embedded journalist” program evolved during the Iraq war. General Swanson deployed on several occasions to the Middle East during his career and holds a degree in Journalism from Purdue University and Law from the University of Illinois. For more information CLICK HERE.

THE COLUMBIA EXPLOSION

NASA officials made a conscious decision in the direction of immediacy and openness after the February 1 explosion of the Space Shuttle Columbia. The approach was in stark contrast to what has been called the shield of secrecy that was erected following the 1986 explosion of Challenger. Robert Jacobs, NASA Director of Media Services will speak about the space agency’s 2003 approach to media relations.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27

HIPAA – WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU AS A PIO?

It has been referred to as the Medical Miranda and the Health Hippo. If you've been to your doctor or the pharmacy lately you've been deluged with information on the new Health Insurance and Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA) which went into effect in April. HIPAA deals with protected health information (PHI) and what can be released. In addition to personal issues you may have encountered, it also deals with what hospitals can release to the police and the media. Learn how it affects you in your daily jobs and how violations can include big fines and federal jail time.

THE LACI PETERSON CASE

Thousands of missing person reports are filed each year in this country. Only a handful receive news coverage, much less the international media spotlight. What prompted the Laci Peterson case to receive international attention, and how did the Modesto, California police department deal with the media during its ongoing investigation?

BEST OF THE BEST

Selected NIOA members present successful stories from their agencies and share what worked in their areas to promoting their programs through the media.

CLOSING BANQUET

One last chance to visit and unwind before heading home, our casual evening closing event will include the Big Raffle, an invitation to the 2004 conference, remarks by the outgoing and incoming Presidents. Make sure you stick around through Wednesday night or you’ll miss a great finale to a memorable conference.

CONFERENCE RATES

Conference registration fees remain the same as last year - $400 for members, $500 for non-members. Registration for the PIO Class Only is $100.

All registration forms must be received by Friday, August 1. All fees must be paid in full by conference check-in on Sunday, August 24. Fees may be paid by check, money order or cash at conference check-in. Sorry, credit cards and purchase orders are not accepted. No refunds will be made after August 1. If registration fee is not mailed by August 2, it MUST be paid at the door. A registration form must be received in order to be registered for the conference. Checks received without a completed registration form will be returned!

Click here to print and complete registration form

THE CITY

Welcome to the Music City, USA! Nashville is home to the Grand Ole Opry, Music Row, the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators. Tennessee's capital city offers gracious southern hospitality and fabulous entertainment. Over 500,000 call Nashville and Davidson County home and in 1999 the city hosted over 10 million visitors. It is a great city for families, with things to see and do for everyone of all ages. The average daily temperature in August is a high of 89 and a low of 68 degrees. For more information about Nashville, go to: http://www.nashvillecvb.com.

HOTEL INFORMATION

The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center is now the largest non-gaming hotel property in the United States, with 2,884 rooms. Under majestic, climate-controlled glass atriums, you'll be surrounded by nine acres of lush indoor gardens, winding rivers and pathways, and sparkling waterfalls where you can unwind, explore, shop, dine, and be entertained to your heart's content. Highlights include a 44-foot waterfall, laser-light and fountain shows and boat tours right inside the hotel. Bring your comfortable shoes, there is a lot of walking to be done!

Visit their website located at: http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylordopryland.

The Opryland is offering discounted room rates for conference attendees at $82 a night plus tax. The NIOA block of rooms will be released on July 24. After that time, rooms at the discounted rate will be on a first-come, first served availability only. The discounted rates are available from August 23-28. You must call the hotel directly at 1-615-883-2211 and mention NIOA when registering to receive the conference rate!

TRAVEL

Several major airlines serve Nashville including Southwest. Check your carrier for the competitive flight information and pricing. In order to maximize your conference experience, the recommended travel schedule is to arrive in Nashville on or before Saturday, August 23 and depart on or after Thursday, August 28.

SHUTTLE/RENTALS

The Opryland Hotel has its own shuttle that runs to/from the Nashville Metro Airport every day from 5:00 am to midnight. The cost is $11 one way and $18 for a round trip ticket. To purchase a ticket, visit the hotel desk at the airport near baggage claim. If you’re interested in renting a car, the following agencies are located on-site at the Nashville airport: Alamo (800-GOALAMO), Avis (800-984-8840), Budget (800-527-0700), Dollar (800-800-4000), Hertz (800-654-3131), National (800-CARRENT) and Thrifty (800-FORCARS). Hertz also has an office at the Opryland Hotel.

SPOUSES

For those bringing a spouse, guests or families, Opryland has tours that leave daily from the hotel to area sites. For more information on available tours CLICK HERE!

LIKE TO SHOP?

Opryland Mills Outlet Mall is next door to the hotel. It contains upscale discount shopping, restaurants and theaters. CLICK HERE for more information.

ELECTIONS

A new Vice-President and Secretary will be elected at the 2003 conference. The Vice-President serves a three-year Board term, as Vice-President, President and Immediate Past President. The Secretary serves a two-year term.

Any member interested in running for either position must send a Letter of Candidacy to the Board through their Regional Director. Candidates are also requested to send a brief article/bio and photograph to NIOA News at dkelly@brgov.com as soon as possible for inclusion in the next newsletter.

QUESTIONS

Contact Lisa McNeal at (865) 670-6120 or info@nioa.org

2002 Conference Reno, Nevada

Critiques presented by members to NIOA of the 2002 Conference have been compiled and are available on-line for members.  Click here to view the critiques.

2001 Conference Clearwater, Florida

Critiques presented by members to NIOA of the 2001 Conference have been compiled and are available on-line for members.  Click here to view the critiques.

Some of our past workshop and panel topics have included:

• PIO 101 and Advanced PIO
• Writing Better News Releases
• Advanced Interview Techniques
• Developing Policies and Procedures
• Stress Relief for the PIO
• Legal Issues and Consequences for the PIO
• How to Plug Leaks Within Your Agency
• Controlling TV Helicopters
• Lights, Sirens and Accidents
• Developing Joint Information Centers
• Dealing With Tabloid TV and Reality
• TV Shows
• Hospitals and the Media: Privacy Issues
• Using the Media to Assist Your Agency
• Coping With Declining Media Ethics

• Milwaukee Police Chief Phillip Areaola, on the Jeffrey Dahmer case
• LAPD Deputy Chief Robert Vernon, on the Rodney King incident
• LAPD spokesman Commander Dave Gascon, on the O.J. Simpson case
• FBI Special Agent James Kalstrom, on the explosion of TWA Flight 800
• Boulder, Colorado PIO Leslie Aaholm, on the Jon Benet Ramsey case
• U.S. Capitol Police PIO Sgt. Dan Nichols, on the Capitol murders
• Lewis Jordan, chairman and CEO of ValuJet, on the crash of ValuJet Flight 592
• ABC News correspondent Erin Hayes, on Dealing With the National Media
• John Siegenthaler, former Editorial Director, USA Today, on PIO Qualities

• The California Wildfires
• The USC Medical Center Shootings
• The Oklahoma City Bombing
• The Waco Branch Davidian Standoff
• The Long Island Subway Shooting
• The Amtrak Crash Into Mobile Bay
• The Brookline Abortion Clinic Shootings
• The Atlanta Olympic Bombing
• The Gainesville Serial Killings
• The Plano Daycare Hostage Crisis
• The Southeastern Church Fires
• The Susan Smith Case

If you have any questions, e-mail Executive Director Lisa McNeal at
info@nioa.org or lmcneal@mc.utmck.edu.