Conference

 

Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha Downtown Old Market

2017 MCAFDO Educational Conference

February 28 to March 1, 2017
Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha Downtown Old Market
555 South 10th Street
Omaha, NE 68102
Phone: (402) 346-4236

About:

The 2017 Mid-Continental Association of Food and Drugs Officials (MCAFDO) Annual Educational Conference will be held February 28 to March 1, 2017 (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 February 27 and March 2, 2017.

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 $ 150.00 per participant and includes a complimentary 2017 MCAFDO membership.  Attendees should register for the conference no later than Tuesday, February 7, 2017. Registration can be completed online at: https://mcafdo.wildapricot.org/event-2429010.  On-line registrations will be accepted through Wednesday, February 22, 2017.  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 ($150 + $25 = $175 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 via electronic payment.  Registration payments made after Tuesday, February 7, 2017 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 7, 2017.  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 7, 2017 will incur an additional late fee of $25.00.  Please note registration fees will not be refunded after Friday, February 17, 2017, 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 Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha Downtown Old Market, 555 South 10th Street, Omaha, NE 68102. Block room rates are available from Monday, February 27 to Friday, March 3, 2017 based upon availability.   A group rate of $107.00 per night plus tax (Approximately 18.16%) is available for single and double occupancy rooms.  Triple and Quadruple occupancy room rates are $127.00 and $137.00 (plus tax) respectively.     Guest room types cannot be guaranteed and will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.  Guestroom rates may change subject to changes in the government per diem rates for 2017. The cut-off date for making reservations is Tuesday, February 7, 2017.  Reservation requests received after the cut-off date may be accepted on a space available basis, at the higher of the contract rate or rate available at that time.

Reservations can be made directly with the hotel by telephone at the following phone number: (402) 346-9000.  Reservations may also be made on-line using the following provided web link: On-line Reservations.  Each guest must contact the hotel before the reservation due date and identify themselves as part of the MCAFDO group to secure the contracted block room rate.  Any requests for special room arrangements should be made at the time the reservation is made. Individuals checking in with a debit/credit card should be aware that a hold may be placed on your card account for the full anticipated amount to be owed to the hotel, including estimated incidentals, through your date of check-out and such hold may not be released for 72 hours from the date of check-out or longer at the discretion of your card issuer. 

If you wish to cancel, please do so 24 hours prior to arrival to avoid cancellation penalties.  At check in, the front desk will verify your check-out date. Rates quoted are based on check-in date and length of stay. Should you choose to depart early, price is subject to change.

Guest accommodations will be available at 3:00 pm on arrival day and reserved until 11:00 am on departure day.  If you wish special consideration for late checkout, you must inquire at the front desk on the day of departure; however, should the hotel allow for late check-out, additional fees may apply.

A full list of hotel amenities and services can be found on the hotel’s web page.  The following special concessions have been made as part of our contract with the hotel:

  • Complimentary self-parking for overnight guests (Regular $12.00/car/night)
  • Complimentary wireless internet in guest rooms (Regular $10.95/night)
  • Wireless internet in the meeting space

The hotel has on site dining options which include breakfast, lunch, and dinner (Falling Water Grille and Waters Edge Bar).  Conference attendees will be provided lunch during the conference dates.  Other dining options are available in the downtown Omaha area, many of which are within close walking distance. Additional information about dining options in the downtown Omaha, NE area can be found via the following web links:  http://www.visitomaha.com/restaurants/downtown-restaurants/; http://oldmarket.com/dining.asp; or http://www.omahadowntown.org/dine.

Additional information about Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha Downtown Old Market can be found at their web page: Embassy Suites Omaha Downtown Old Market

Airport and Ground Transportation Information:

The nearest airport is Eppley Airfield, Omaha, NE.  Eppley Airfield is located approximately five miles (10-15 minute drive) from Embassy Suites Hilton Omaha Downtown Old Market. Information about ground transportation and services can be found at the airport’s web page: http://www.flyoma.com/.    

Taxi services available from Eppley Airfield include the following:

Shuttles – The Ground Transportation Center is located inside of Door #3 on the lower level of the terminal building. Certain shuttles have phones there. Local hotel/motel (with or without shuttles) phone boards/reservation centers are located near the north and south baggage claim areas.

  • I-80 Navigator Airport Express:  Kearney / Grand Island / York / Lincoln / Omaha – 800-888-9793
  • OMALiNK:  Van shuttles offering transport between Omaha and Lincoln – 877-473-5465
  • OMASUX Express Shuttle:  Travel to/from Omaha to Sioux City / Sioux Falls and surrounding area – 888-233-1131

Rental Cars – Rental car counters are located near Door #3. Ready car spaces are located on the first level of the surface parking structure (north of the 6 story parking garage), via a covered walkway across from Door #5.

Visit Omaha:

Visit Omaha has created a free “Omaha Savings” smartphone app which offers admission discounts and special savings to several Omaha attractions. The free smartphone application is available for both Apple and Android devices and can be downloaded via the App Store or Google play.  Visit Omaha also offers additional information about hotels, restaurants, things to do, events, and general information about Omaha, NE.  Visit Omaha can be accessed at the following web link:  https://www.visitomaha.com/.  Information and links to the free “Omaha Savings” smartphone application can be found at the following web link: http://www.visitomaha.com/savingsapp/.

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 contact Melva Ball (Melva.Ball@nebraska.gov) prior to the meeting.

Silent Auction:

Each year MCAFDO hosts a silent auction, which is comprised of donated items.   Please consider helping to 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 reimbursed through MCAFDO.

  • Winning:
    • All bids will close at a designated time during the afternoon of Wednesday, March 1, 2017.
    • 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:

Previous Conference Agendas: