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Plan now to attend our 20th Annual Conference. Twenty years of BPD is a special reason to celebrate and to participate!
This year our theme addresses interdisciplinary, intergenerational, and crosscultural links to meet the needs of our aging
society. Over 160 abstracts were submitted for consideration so expect a great program.
In addition to the juried presentations, we are planning to incorporate invited presentations on the theme and some exciting
preconference programs and Salons. This year we will have a new feature. A room will be set aside for an idea exchange.
This is intended for those of you who wish to discuss an innovation or new program with a small group of colleagues. Sign
up and advertise your topic when you get to Pittsburgh!
We are contemplating some alterations to our traditional format. Wednesday will be preconference workshops on Aging,
New Program Directors Training, Field Instruction, Social Work Leadership, and Group Work. Our Opening Plenary and reception
will be that night, as usual. Thursday is traditionally the day with our largest number in attendance. This year, we are
planning to have our recognition luncheon on Thursday instead of Friday. It will be followed by the Ron Federico lecture
and dessert reception. Friday will be theme day, as well as a day for a continuation of paper and workshop presentations.
Our in house and fabulous Shameless Blues Band will be playing on Friday night. We will have heavy hors d'oeuvres and a cash
bar. The conference will end on Saturday afternoon followed by the banquet and dancing to a DJ. There will be no Sunday
breakfast meeting.
Be sure your 2002 (January - December 2002) BPD membership is up to date and that your address is current to ensure that
you receive the preliminary program. A common error with membership is the assumption that you renewed membership in time
for the 2001 conference and that this makes you a member for 2002. The membership year ends in December 2001.
Hotel Registration:
The conference hotel is The Pittsburgh Hilton and Towers. For your planning, the room rates are $115/single and $125/double
with a sales and tax rate of 14%. The BPD Conference block rate ends September 23, 2002, so please register on time. The
hotel registration form will soon be on the web page, and the form will be in the preliminary program, which you should receive
in June.
You will find that the hotel is very conveniently located. There is a river view from many rooms. Restaurants, inclines,
boat tours, sports arenas, and shopping are within walking distance. The hotel rooms are equipped with hair dryers, irons
and boards, and coffee makers. Not all rooms are wired for Internet, so this may be a special request you might want to make.
There is no swimming pool at this hotel.
There is no onsite parking. Parking garages are available as follows:
Gateway Parking is directly across the street for the current rates of $18./day with no in/out or $24/day with in/out.
An open lot is available 1 block away for $12./day and the Stanwich garage is 2 blocks away for a rate of $8./day with in/out.
Members of the local planning committee are attempting to negotiate a special rate to park in the baseball stadium, a
short walk to the hotel. More detailed information will be available in the preliminary program.
Air Transportation:
Ideal Travel Agency is once again serving as our agent. Last year, we were able to negotiate a 10% discount through several
airlines. We expect that will happen for 2002. As confirmations come in they will be posted on our web page. The toll free
number for Ideal is 1.877.718.4332.
Shuttle Service:
There is an airport shuttle service available, but we found it inconvenient and expensive. The shuttle leaves the airport
every hour on the hour and costs $24. round trip. The Pittsburgh Hilton and Towers is the first drop off and last pickup
for the return trip so that the commute is only 15 - 20 minutes. Purchase your ticket in the baggage claim area. Taxi, limousine,
and town car transportation is also available. We recommend bus service. The bus is about $2.00 each way. You catch the
bus at the terminal, and it drops you off 2 blocks from the hotel entrance. It is very easy, very affordable, and runs every
20 minutes. The down side is that you must take care of your own baggage.
Conference Registration
Conference registration fees will be the same as 2001, $205. for early bird registration. The Conference Committee is
soliciting bids from conference registration companies. As soon as a contract is signed, we will get registration information
and the form on the BPD web page.
The City
Pittsburgh is noted for its three rivers, its many bridges, hills and inclines. There are many charming and distinct
areas for dining, entertainment, and culture. Pittsburgh has several colleges and universities, Carlow College, Carnegie
Mellon University, Duquesne University, Point Park College, Robert Morris College, and the University of Pittsburgh. There
are major league sports stadiums within walking distance from the hotel.
Major attractions include the Frank Lloyd Wright homes, Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob, the Frick Art and Historical Center,
The Andy Warhol Museum, the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Carnegie Science Center, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens,
several inclines, Station Square, and much more. You will enjoy the city.
Continue to log on to bpdonline.org for forms and information as it develops.
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