2009 Conference Schedule and Brochure

Click here to download a copy of the brochure.

 
2009 NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON OUTDOOR DRAMA
  Cherokee, North Carolina - October 11 – 14, 2009

Sunday, October 11, 2009

12:00 – 3:00 pm     REGISTRATION AND CHECK-IN - Lobby – Saunooke Meeting Room

 3:00 – 5:30 pm       ROLL CALL - Saunooke Meeting Room

 Company reps from outdoor theatres across the U.S. summarize production activities, and season attendance during the past year.

 3:00 – 5:30 pm       DEVELOPING THEATRE FORUM- Blythe Meeting Room

 A special breakout session designed for representatives of organizations planning new outdoor drama companies, focusing on issues critical to starting and running a new theatre.

 5:30 – 6:30 pm       SOCIAL HOUR - Hospitality Room

 6:30 – 8:00 pm       WELCOME DINNER - Dining Room

 Monday, October 12, 2009

 9:00 – 10:30 am     COMPANY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 Robert Wildman, Director of the Performing Arts Management Program at North Carolina School of the Arts, and Dr. Jo Blaylock, Director of Human Resources for Harrah’s Casino, along with several IOD theatre managers discuss best practices in Human Resources Management and share the “in’s” and “out’s of crafting effective company policies.  

 10:30 – 10:45 am    BREAK

 10:45 – 12:15 pm     CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

 Last fall the FCC voted to open up “white space” frequency to public use.  How will this effect theatre productions in the future? Herman Civils with Millar Electronics and Bobby Beck, resident sound designer with the BarterTheatre, help provide answers as well as discuss the latest innovations in sound equipment and design.

 12:15 – 1:30 pm      LUNCH - Dining Room

                Guest Speaker:  Kim McGuire, Director, Western NC Non-Profit Pathways

                Topic: The Brave New World of Nonprofits

 1:30 – 6:00 pm       TOUR OF CHEROKEE

                 Tour the Museum of the Cherokee Indian

The museum provides an educational and interactive experience where concise, chronological stories retrace the 11,000 year documented history of the Cherokees.

                 Tour the Oconaluftee Indian Village

Visitors will explore the authentic working Village with dwellings, residents, and artisans right out of the 1750's.

                Operating Unto These Hills

A look at management policies, organizational structure and creative direction of this 60 year old outdoor drama.

                 Tour of Mountainside Theatre

A walking tour of the newly renovated 2,800 seat rustic amphitheatre, backstage, front-of-the-house and technical facilities.

 6:00 pm                  DINNER - Mountainside Theatre

 We will enjoy an authentic Cherokee meal prepared by the North American Indian Women’s Association.

 Tuesday, October 13, 2009

 8:30am                   BUS TO ASHEVILLE - Holiday Inn Lobby

 10:00 - 3:00 pm     BILTMORE HOUSE

 Lunch on your own at one of the restaurants on the grounds of the Biltmore Estates.       

 3:00 – 3:45 pm      BILTMORE HOSPITALITY

 George and Edith Vanderbilt were famous for making their guests feel special. Today the Biltmore Estate is recognized for their world class guest services. Learn how these hospitality best-practices can translate to your theatre.

  3:45 – 4:15 pm      BUS TO HAZEL ROBINSON AMPHITHEATRE
                                  Home to the Montford Park Players

 4:15 – 5:00 pm       OPERATING MONTFORD PARK PLAYERS

 A look at the organization of this 37 year old free Shakespeare Festival followed by a tour of the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre.

 5:00 – 6:30 pm       DINNER - Mile High – Jamaican Restaurant

 6:30 – 7:30 pm       A BIT OF SHAKESPEARE -  With the Montford Park Players

 7:30 pm                   BUS TO CHEROKEE, NC

 Wednesday, October 14, 2009

 9:00 – 12:00pm      THE PAUL GREEN SEMINAR

 FEARLESS FUNDRAISING IN A TURBULENT ECONOMY

 Fearless Fundraising, offers practical advice on how to connect more effectively with donors and combines this with up-to-the-minute research data and thought-provoking advice. Learn what donors need to know in the current environment and discover how not-for-profits can become masters of their own fundraising messages to inspire future contributions.

 Guest Speaker:  Penelope Burk

 Penelope Burk is president of Cygnus Applied Research, Inc. She is an author, researcher and mentor celebrated for some of the most important innovations in modern-day fundraising.  In 2000, she introduced  the not-for-profit industry to the concept of Donor-Center Fundraising, transforming the way the sector communicates with donors and bringing fundraising in line with donors’ needs.

 10:30 am                 BREAK

                 The Paul Green Seminar is supported by a grant from the
          Paul Green Foundation Fund of the Triangle Community Foundation.

12:00 – 2:00 pm     LUNCHEON BANQUET - Dining Room

    PRESENTATION OF THE 2009 MARK R. SUMNER AWARD       
 

2:00 – 3:30 pm       THE NEA GRANT EXPERIENCE

 NEA grant panelist and theatre producers from outdoor dramas that received funding discuss putting together a winning proposal. In 2007, the National Endowment for the Arts expanded its “Access to Artistic Excellence” grant category to include opportunities for historical outdoor dramas. 

 3:30 – 3:45 pm       BREAK

 3:45 – 5:15 pm       OPEN FORUM

 An open agenda dialogue on theatre issues of concern including attendance, marketing, leisure tourism trends, board/staff relations, earned income, budgeting, company housing and casting.

 5:15 pm  OFFICIAL END OF THE CONFERENCE

 With your evening free, it’s a great opportunity to visit one of the many restaurants at Harrah’s Casino. The Holiday Inn provides free shuttle service to the Casino.

 Conference Hotel Information

 The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Cherokee, US Highway 19 South, Cherokee, NC 28719. The Holiday Inn Cherokee special group rate for the IOD is $68 per/night plus tax. The deadline to register at the special IOD group rate is Wednesday, October 1, 2009.  To register, call the Holiday Inn Cherokee at 828-497-9181. Please use the group code IODA. The Holiday Inn Cherokee provides a free hot breakfast to its guests.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Conference Registration Fee:

$275 per person, includes all conference sessions, breaks, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, and special events.

Registration deadline is Monday, September 28, 2009.

On-Line Conference Registration:

To register for the conference go to UNC Event Registration at http://cfx.research.unc.edu/res_classreg/index.cfm.

If you need assistance please contact us at 919-962-1328.

Registration:

A $30.00 late fee will be charged for registrations received after Monday, September 28, 2009.

Additional Guest Meals and Entertainment:

Additional guest meals and special events must be included on the registration form by Monday, September 28, 2009.

Refund Policy:

Partial refunds will be made for cancellations until Monday, October 5, 2009. A $30.00 administrative fee will be deducted and no refunds will be given for meals or venue admissions. Notification of cancellations must be in writing.

Disability Accommodations:

Individuals with disabilities should notify the Institute office by Monday, September 28, 2009, if special accommodations are needed for conference participation.

 
Conference Desk Check-In Hours:

Sunday, October 11, 2009: 12:00 – 3:00pm in the lobby outside the Saunooke Meeting Room.

 
Air Travel:

The nearest airport to Cherokee, NC is the Asheville Regional Airport, which is about 45 miles from Cherokee. It is served by Air-Tran, Delta, Continental and US Airways.

 
Airport/Hotel Transportation:

Car rental agencies available at the Asheville Regional Airport include: Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, andNational/Alamo.

 Company Displays: 

Please bring your company brochure materials for display in the Holiday Inn lobby during the conference check-in hours on Sunday, October 11, 2009 from 12:00 – 3:00 pm. The displays will remain in the lobby for the duration of the conference.