2018 MCAFDO Educational Conference
February 27-28, 2018
Courtyard Dallas Allen at the John Q. Hammons Center
210 East Stacy Road
Allen, TX 75002
Phone: (214) 383-1151
About:
The 2018 Mid-Continental Association of Food and Drugs Officials (MCAFDO) Annual Educational Conference will be held February 27-28, 2018 (from 8 am to 5 pm each day). Following you will find information about the conference location and transportation tips.
General Information:
Authorized travel dates are Monday, February 26, 2018 and Thursday, March 1, 2018.
Funding Opportunities:
MCAFDO will be applying for a small conference grant through the Heath & Humans Services, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If awarded, a portion of the grant funds will be used for conference fees and the remaining grant funds will be made available to qualifying conference attendees for reimbursement of authorized travel costs to and from the conference (i.e. air fare, mileage, lodging, and etc.). Those eligible for grant reimbursed funds are State and local Food and Drug regulatory officials. Registration fees are not reimbursable for any conference attendee and Federal employees are not eligible to receive reimbursements. Costs associated with meals are not reimbursable through grant awarded funds and conference attendees should check with their employer or agency to determine reimbursement of meal costs. All authorized reimbursable travel costs will be paid out after the closure of the conference. Forms for qualifying individuals/agencies seeking reimbursement for authorized travel costs through the grant funds will be distributed during the conference.
Registration:
The registration fee is $ 180 per participant and includes a complimentary 2018 MCAFDO membership. Attendees should register for the conference no later than Tuesday, February 6, 2018. Registration can be completed online using the “register” button below. On-line registrations will be accepted through Wednesday, February 21, 2018. Individuals may walk-in and register at the door during the first day of the conference; however, they will be subject to payment at the late registration rate ($180 + $50 = $230 total per person).
Agencies or individuals may pay for registrations via PayPal using a major credit card. Registration payment(s) may be made at the time the on-line registration is completed, or at a later date. The on-line registration page will include a direct link to PayPal for those who wish to pay for their registration(s) via electronic payment. Individuals completing on-line registration will automatically be e-mailed an invoice for the registration fees. Registration payments made after Tuesday, February 6, 2018 will not be charged at the late registration rate providing that the on-line registration is made prior to the cut-off date of February 6, 2018. Agencies or individuals wishing to pay via check or money order should submit payments directly to Scott Platt, MCAFDO Secretary/Treasurer, PO Box 329, University Park, IA 52595. Check or money orders shall be made payable to MCAFDO. When submitting a single check for multiple individuals, please include a note or memorandum with the names of individuals whom payment is being made for. Agencies or individuals wishing to pay for registrations via a Purchase Order Agreement (POA) should contact Scott Platt, Secretary/Treasurer, to make arrangements. Scott Platt can be contacted at the following e-mail or telephone number: Scott.Platt@dia.iowa.gov or (515) 669-3953.
Registrations made after February 6, 2018 will incur an additional late fee of $50. Please note registration fees will not be refunded after Friday, February 16, 2018, but another individual may be sent in place of the original registrant. Conference attendees may also pay for registration fees at the door; however, advanced payment is encouraged. MCAFDO will accept the following forms of payments at the door on the first day of the conference: credit card, debit card, cash, check, or money orders. Credit card or debit card payments will be processed via PayPal.
Hotel:
A block of hotel rooms have been secured at the Courtyard Dallas Allen at the John Q. Hammons Center, 210 East Stacy Road, Allen, TX 75002. A group rate of $114.00 per night, or prevailing federal government per diem rate, plus tax (13%) is available for single and double occupancy rooms. Guestroom rates may change subject to changes in the federal government per diem rates for 2018. The group rate will be honored from Sunday, February 25 to Friday, March 2, 2018 based upon rate and space availability. The cut-off date for making reservations is Sunday, February 4, 2018. Reservation requests received after the cut-off date will be accepted on a space available basis, at the higher of the contract rate or rate available at that time.
Reservations may be made via calling the central reservations line at the following phone number: (800) 627-7468, or on-line using the following provided web link: MCAFDO Hotel Group Rate. If making reservations via telephone, be sure to ask for the Mid-Continental Association of Food & Drug Officials rate, or the following group code: MCAR.
Guest accommodations will be available at 3:00 pm on arrival day and reserved until 12:00 pm on departure day. If you wish special consideration for late checkout, you must inquire at the front desk on the day of departure; however, the hotel may impose additional fees for a late check-out.
The hotel offers complimentary wireless internet access in all guestrooms and complimentary parking. The hotel has one on-site dining option (The Bistro) and several nearby options. Additional information about dining options can be found on the hotel’s web site. Conference attendees will be provided lunch during the conference dates.
Additional information about The Courtyard by Marriott at John Q. Hammons Center can be found at their web page: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dalan-courtyard-dallas-allen-at-the-john-q-hammons-center/.
Airport & Ground Transportation Information:
The nearest airport is Dallas Love Field which is located approximately twenty-five miles North from the hotel. The hotel does not provide shuttle services to this airport. The following transportation options are available from the airport to the hotel:
Shuttles – The following shuttle services are available. You will need to contact the shuttle service provider for applicable fees and reservations.
- City Shuttle – (800) 760-1998
- Super Shuttle – (800) 258-3826
- Yellow Checker Shuttle – (972) 222-2000 or (214) 841-1900
Taxis – Taxi cab service is provided on the lower level of the terminal. A number of taxi cab service providers are available. The estimated taxi fare is $80 (one way).
Car Rental – Several nationwide car rental services are available at the airport to include: Advantage, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, National, Alamo, Thrifty, and ACE.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW):
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is located approximately thirty-six miles northeast of the hotel. The hotel does not provide shuttle services to this airport. The following transportation options are available from the airport to the hotel:
Shuttles – The following shuttle services are available. You will need to contact the shuttle service provider for applicable fees and reservations.
- City Shuttle – (214) 760-1998
- Go Yellow Checker Shuttle – (214) 841-1900
- Super Shuttle DFW – (972) 456-3128
Taxis – There are a number of authorized taxi cab service providers located at the airport. The estimated taxi fare is $94 (one way). A complete list of service providers can be found on the airport’s web page: DFW Airport Taxi Service Providers.
App-Based Transportation Companies – When using these services for pick-up, proceed to the Passenger Pick-up sign (white and green lettering). Such services include Uber, Lyft, and Wingz.
Car Rental – Board the rental car shuttle bus to be transported to the rental car center. Buses run 24 hours per day. There are 12 rental car companies to choose from and include the following: Advantage, Avis, Dollar, E-Z Rent-A-Car, National, Sixt, Alamo, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, Payless and Thrifty. Additional information about car rental services at DFW International Airport can be found on the following web page: Rental Cars at DFW.
Special Needs:
MCAFDO will strive to provide reasonable accommodations to all attendees with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the training process due to medical conditions, physical limitations, particular learning challenges, or dietary restrictions please include this information on your registration form. You may also notify Jason Guzman (jason.guzman@dsha.texas.gov) prior to the meeting.
Silent Auction:
Help make this year’s silent auction a huge success by donating a souvenir, keepsake gift or novelty item, or by bidding on any item in the auction. Have fun and show your support! Auction proceeds will be used to defray conference costs and annual travel costs associated with the MCAFDO board member who serves as the MCAFDO representative to the AFDO board. This MCAFDO board member typically attends two AFDO board meetings per year and fifty percent of these travel costs are covered by MCAFDO.
- Winning:
- All bids will close at a designated time during the afternoon of Wednesday, February 28, 2018.
- Silent auction items will be awarded to the highest bidder for that item.
- Bidders may pay for silent auction items via cash, personal check, or credit/debit card via PayPal.
W-9 Form:
To view / download MCAFDO’s W-9 form, click here.
Current Conference Agendas: View Draft Agenda