Thank you all!

Thanks to the meeting participants, Western District Board, International President and Executive, sponsors, vendors, exhibitors, spouses, children, volunteers and local arrangements committee members. We received terrific feedback for producing a memorable and informative Western District Annual Meeting.

See you all in Santa Barbara -- June 24-27, 2012!

Overflow Hotel and Duct Tape

Hi all -- We hope your duct tape apparel is shaping up for the Tuesday Awards Banquet. We are working on ours. (Hint: Walmart offers a great selection of duct tape).

Our conference hotel, the Anchorage Hilton, is sold out. We have designated the Marriott in downtown Anchorage as our overflow hotel. They are holding a block of rooms spanning the conference dates for us. Follow the instructions below to book your room:

1. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-228-9290. When
calling, refer to your Mini Hotel Code "TRETREA" and the name of the conference, "Transportation Engineers".

OR

2. Book online at www.marriott.com/ancdt following these steps:

* Under "Check Rates & Availability" (on the left-hand side of the page) enter the desired arrival and departure dates.
* Click on the Special Rates & Awards Button
* Enter your online group code, TRETREA, in the box that says "Group Code".
* Select the button "FIND"
* Follow the simple steps outlines to complete the reservations.

Should you have any difficulties making your reservations, please do not hesitate to contact Jacqui direct at (907) 792-2108 or via email at jacqui@columbiasussex.com.

Western District Conference Awards Banquet

Hi all. The Alaska Local Arrangements Committee is excited to be hosting the event and looking forward to sharing our beautiful state with conference attendees.

The Awards Banquet theme is "DUCT TAPE" ball. We hope you will plan and dress accordingly. It is fun. For ideas check out the following web site: Duct Tape Ball Scrapbook  You will get come ideas on what one wears to a Duct Tape Ball.

The entertainment will be provided by Alaska's own Mr. Whitekeys in a fun Alaskana show followed by dancing.

Should be fun -- see you soon.

Cruise Home!

It has come to our attention that some folks will fly north and cruise south to attend the 2011 Western District Annual Meeting in Anchorage. For cruise details check out this web page.

Our days are getting longer so be prepared to have fun and rest when you get home. The sun rose this morning at 4:38 am and will set tonight at 11:28 pm for a total of 19.0 hours of sunlight. Remember summer solstice is June 21st so the days will be getting shorter during your visit.

 See you all soon!

Don't forget the Alaska Airlines discount!

Alaska Airlines is providing a 5% meeting discount, valid for travel between Anchorage and any alaska Airlines/Horizon Air US (except Hawaii) city. The discount code can be applied to travel July 7 through July 16. Use discount code - ECMA25 -- when booking online.

Come check out our big, wild life at the Western District Annual Meeting

In Anchorage, we keep an eye on wildlife and the bears and moose are showing up to greet spring along with the rest of us.  You can check out some photos submitted by readers to our local newspaper, the Anchorage Daily News by clicking this link. It is not at all unusual to see animals in our urban area. We hope you'll have a sighting in July!  Don't forget to register by June 1, 2011.

Early Registration Deadline Extended to June 1

We had numerous requests on Friday to extend the deadline for registration so folks can get have a chance to coordinate with colleagues for groups rates, etc. The Alaska Local Arrangements Committee decided we could give you more time.

Let us know if  you have any difficulty getting hotel reservations at the Hilton.  Remember the conference rates are good for the three days before and three days after the conference giving you plenty of extra time to take a side trip to Denali, Seward for some salmon fishing or visit the quaint fishing community in Homer.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone in July.