88th NCSS Annual Conference
November 14-16, 2008, Houston, Texas

We look forward to seeing you at the 2008 NCSS Annual Conference in Houston. Here is some information on the conference to help make your experience more enjoyable and productive.

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Conference Location

Conference registration, exhibits, and the majority of conference sessions and events will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las America, Houston. Associated Group programs, as well as many committee meetings and receptions will be held at the Hilton Americas-Houston (1600 Lamar.) The Hilton-Americas is directly connected to the convention center via 2 indoor skybridges. Check your program book onsite for the latest schedule information.

Getting to the Convention Center

Parking

The George R. Brown features a 1,600-space parking garage located at the corner of Polk Street and Avenida de las Americas, conveniently connected to the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Hilton by Level 2 skywalks. The garage is open 24 hours a day, and rates are based on the amount of time spent parked.

In addition, several privately owned surface lots surround the convention center. All are just a short walk away, and rates generally range from $7.00-$10.00.

Shuttle Service

Shuttle buses will run between the Hyatt Regency Houston and the George R. Brown Convention Center. Bus pickup is at the Hyatt Regency is on Dallas Street. Retunring bus pickup at the George R. Brown Convention Center is outside Exhibit Hall E on Avenida de las Americas.

Wednesday, November 12 4:30-8:15pm Every 30 minutes

Thursday, November 13 6:30am-6:15pm Every 30 minutes

Friday, November 14 6:30-10:30am Every 10-15 minutes 10:30am-2:30pm Every 30 minutes 2:30-10:30pm Every 10-15 minutes

Saturday, November 15 6:30-10:30am Every 10-15 minutes 10:30am-2:30pm Every 30 minutes 2:30-9:30pm Every 10-15 minutes

Sunday, November 16 6:30am-12:00pm Every 15 minutes

Taxis

Taxi rates to all downtown destinations from the George R. Brown Convention Center are only $6 per ride, even with multiple riders. Cabs are available from the taxi stand at the Hilton Americas, or call any of these companies:

• City Cab ......................................................713-649-2000
• Fiesta Cab Company .................................713-225-2666
• Liberty Cab Company ..............................713-695-6700
• Lone Star Cab Company ..........................713-794-0000
• Red Sea Cab ................................................281-437-5971
• Square Deal Cab Company ......................713-659-7236
• United Cab Company ...............................713-699-0000
• Yellow Cab Company ................................713-236-1111

MetroRail?

The Houston rail system connects downtown with the Museum District, Rice University, the University of Houston Downtown, the Houston Zoo, and Reliant Park, home of the Astrodome. The system operates weekdays 4:30-12:45am (until 2:15am on Fridays), Saturdays 5:30-2:15am, and Sundays 5:30-12:45am. A one-way ticket costs $1. The closest stop to the George R. Brown Convention Center is at Main Street Square, between Walker and Dallas Streets, about six blocks away. For more information, visit www.ridemetro.org.

Airport Transportation NCSS has partnered with SuperShuttle? to provide discounted rates for transportation to Bush Intercontinental and Hobby Airports. To receive your group discount, you must:

• Make your reservation ONLINE at least 24 hours in advance at www.supershuttle.com, and enter the group discount code: DTA2U?.
• This code is valid for travel through November 17,
• • Through use of the discount code, you will receive $2
    off one-way fares for the shared ride service.
• Groups of 5-10 can reserve dedicatedshuttles for $75 to Hobby Airport and $90 to Bush Intercontinental Airport at www.supershuttle.com.

When You Arrive

Registration

If you have not registered for the conference, you may do so onsite. Registration is located in Hall E on Level 1 of the George R. Brown Convention Center. Click here for onsite registration rates.

Pre-Registered Attendees

If you preregistered prior to October 22, your badges and tickets for any clinics, tours or other events you chose have been sent to you by mail. When you arrive at the George R. Brown Convention Center, please visit the registration area oustide of Hall E on the first level. At registration, you may pick up a free badge holder, tote bag, and program book.

Badges must be worn to gain admission to sessions, exhibits, and all ticketed events, including clinics, tours, and social events.

If you did not receive your materials by mail or you have misplaced your badge, you may have a badge printed at the Pre-Registration desk at conference registration.

Registration Hours

• Wednesday, November 12: 5pm-8pm
• Thursday, November 13: 7am-6pm
• Friday, November 14: 7am-6pm
• Saturday,November 15: 7am-6pm
• Sunday, November 16: 7am-11am

Hospitality and Information

A Concierge Desk on the 2nd Level of the George R. Brown Convention Center will provide information and suggestions on what to see, how to get there, theater and concert ticket information, and where to eat, including restaurant reservations.

Conference Program

If you wish to plan your schedule ahead of time, you may download program information from the conference website, http://www.socialstudies.org/conference. Please note that the schedule is subject to change until the actual dates of the conference. Registered attendees may pick-up a copy of the program book in the registration area.

Sessions

Sessions run on Friday and Saturday and are one hour in length. There is a 15-minute break between sessions. All sessions will be held in the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Intensives

Intensives run on Friday and Saturday and are two hours in length. All intensives will be held in the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Workshops

Workshops are two hours in length and offer teachers a more in-depth professional development experience. Workshops are scheduled on Sunday only, in the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Poster Sessions

Both Friday and Saturday, the program will feature one-hour Poster Presentations featuring innovative lessons, teaching strategies, and research results. This is a special opportunity for conference attendees to talk one-on-one with the presenters about their work. Poster Presentations will be displayed in the foyer near Room 330 in the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Clinics and Tours

Attendance at clinics and tours requires additional paid tickets. Clinics are scheduled on Thursday, November 13 (the NCATE clinic will be held Wednesday, November 12). Clinic locations are printed on tickets. Tours are scheduled on Thursday, November 13 Event tickets not sold during the preregistration period are offered for sale on site on a first come, first served basis.

Speakers

Friday, Saturday and Sunday feature keynote sessions with special guest speakers. In addition, highlighted sessions and speakers on topics of special interest are scheduled throughout the conference.

Exhibits

The exhibit hall is open Friday 9am-6pm and Saturday 9:0am-5:00pm. Exhibits are located in the Hall E on Level 1 of the convention center.

First Time Attendees

A special session for First-Timers sponsored by Junior Achievement is scheduled Friday November 14 from 7:00-8:00AM in Convention Center 350DEF. This session will give you additional information on the opportunities available to attendees of the conference and give you a chance to meet and network with your colleagues.

Services

First Aid Services

The First Aid Room is located inside Exhibit Hall E, near NCSS Registration, on Level 1 of the George R. Brown Con- vention Center.

Lost and Found

All lost and found items will be turned in to NCSS Registration.

Audiovisual Needs

NCSS will fulfill AV needs originally requested on the program proposals as long as the request is within the limits of equipment that NCSS provides. For any last-minute AV needs, presenters must arrange and pay for their own equipment, at the daily rates established by Freeman, the designated AV company, not the advance rates that NCSS charged during the proposal process. The Freeman office is Room 343 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Business Services

Sack Sitters will provide packing, shipping, photocopying, and bag checking services for all conference attendees. Avail- able speaker handouts may also be purchased. The Sack Sitters office is in Exhibit Hall E, near NCSS Registration, o