KACD Annual Convention

November 18-20, 2012

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wichita Airport

(formerly Wichita Airport Hilton)

"Planning for an Uncertain Future"

68th Annual Convention

With public funding on the federal, state, and local levels becoming more limited and budgets

increasingly constrained, future appropriations for Kansas conservation districts are far from

certain. What does that mean to your district? How will you be affected?

These are key questions that will be addressed at the 2012 convention of the Kansas

Association of Conservation Districts. KACD will hold its 68^th annual convention November

18-20, 2012, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wichita Airport. This year’s theme is “Kansas

Conservation: Planning for an Uncertain Future.”

Supervisors and district employees from all of the state's conservation districts are strongly encouraged

to attend this year's convention. The primary emphasis will be on the "Field Office of the Future"

initiative, a joint effort of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Ray Ledgerwood, a consultant from the state

of Washington who has been involved with similar efforts in other states, will be on hand to

guide the discussion and facilitate a workshop for convention attendees.

Because of the critical importance of the "Field Office of the Future" topic and helping districts prepare to face potential

challenges, the customary order of activities on Monday have been adjusted and breakout sessions are limited to only a

handful of timely, important topics. Key changes are as follows:

•	An opening session will be held at 8:00 a.m. on Monday. All supervisors and district employees should plan to attend.
•	Committee meetings will follow the opening session, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
•	From 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., Ray Ledgerwood will conduct a workshop called "Planning for the Future of My District." All supervisors and district employees need to attend this workshop.
•	The only other breakout during that time period is a program aimed at spouses. "No-Till Gardening" will be presented by Jennifer Smith, Douglas County Extension Agent, Horticulture.
•	Three breakouts will be held from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. (see program).
•	A free Mexican buffet will be provided from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, following the annual business meeting. The lunch will provide an opportunity for final networking and discussion before convention participants head home.

A block of rooms at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wichita Airport was made available to districts on March 1, 2012. The

block is sold out; however, you may place your name on the hotel’s waiting list (indicate that you are attending the KACD

convention) because rooms typically become available at the start of the convention due to last-minute cancellations. You

may also book at one of the overflow hotels:

For information on convention exibitor booths, go to: KACD Convention Exhibitor Booths

KACD Convention Exibitor Booths Info

Registration

The Convention Program gives an overview of all convention activities.

Please email KACD Executive Director Pat Lehman at ptlehman@sunflower.com or call his cell at (785) 766-3743.

Questions?

Hotel Accommodations

Even though meal costs have risen, we are keeping prices the same to allow as many supervisors and district employees to

attend the convention as possible. New this year, we are offering online registration in addition to the usual method of

completing registration forms and mailing them to KACD.

Please complete a registration form for each convention attendee (except spouses). Forms may be filled out and saved,

printed or submitted online. Registration forms must be submitted or mailed by November 10, 2012, to KACD at P.O.

Box 3510, Lawrence, KS 66046. Credit card payment is now available for both online registrations and those that are

mailed. Individual checks (or money orders) or a single check for multiple registrations should be made payable to KACD.

Please note that in order to be eligible for the bundle price of $195, which includes registration, Monday

lunch, Monday evening banquet, and Tuesday morning breakfast, registrations must be postmarked by

November 10, 2012. After that date, registration and meal tickets will be charged individually at a slightly higher rate.

Changes at This Year's Convention

Rawlins County wheat field at sunset - Photo by Kathy Davis-Vrbas, Atwood, Kansas