This year's conference will be held Wednesday - Sunday, July 23-27 at the Sheraton Hotel in Arlington, Texas.   This hotel is located about 10 minutes south of the D/FW airport.

As members of the Play It Smart program, all schools are expected to have their Academic Coaches attend the Play It Smart Annual Conference. In the coming weeks we will provide conference registration details. To assist with your planning and answer your questions as easily as possible, we thought you would find this advanced communication helpful.

The conference format will be similar to last year, but there are some important changes to note. Most importantly, "Rookie" Academic Coaches (anyone who has never attended the annual conference) will receive an additional day of training and be required to arrive one day prior to the "Veteran" Academic Coaches (anyone who has previously attended the annual conference).

 Travel

Attendees should make their travel reservations according to the following schedule:

• Rookies - arrive to the Sheraton on Wednesday 7/23 by no later than 3 pm
• Veterans - arrive to the Sheraton on Thursday 7/24 by no later than 4 pm

Departure - all coaches can depart at anytime on Sunday 7/27.

A complimentary round-trip shuttle service will be available to transport attendees between DFW airport and the Sheraton hotel.   You will need to contact the hotel upon arrival at the airport and the shuttle will come pick you up.

Each school will be reimbursed a total of $300 for travel-related costs. Checks will be made payable to each school that has an academic coach represented.  Additional school representatives are also welcome to attend. *Please note that if a school has attendees in addition to their academic coach, the reimbursement amount will not change - only $300 total per school.

Isiah Green (Long Beach Poly HS/Long Beach, CA) speaks at the 2007 Play It Smart Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA.

 Meals

The following meals will be provided to all conference attendees free of cost:

• Thursday 7/24 - Breakfast & Lunch (for rookies only) & Evening Reception (all attendees)
• Friday 7/25 - Breakfast & Lunch
• Saturday 7/26 - Breakfast, Lunch & Awards Dinner

 Lodging

Play It Smart will provide complimentary lodging for one attendee per school (double occupancy - Each academic coach will be paired with another academic coach).  All attendees will be required to provide a credit card to cover incidental expenses.

If desired, attendees can choose to pay and reserve a guaranteed single room at the rate of $119/night (three night minimum). Single room availability is limited and will be reserved on a first come, first serve basis.