(05/15/17)

In less than two months, we’ll be gathered in beautiful Brown Co. State Park, Ind. for the 2017 ACI Conference. Kim’s column told us about the agenda and a great tip for persuading the boss to let you go. Here’s some more helpful information.

Scholarships – If you act fast, you could receive a travel scholarship worth nearly $650! How’s that for a budget-conscious government employee? It’s better than switching to GEICO. Follow this link to learn how to apply. But hurry, the deadline is TODAY! (Monday, May 15)

Registration for the conference is $350, and of course you can do it online. Follow this link to get started.

Lodging – We’ll be staying at the historic Abe Martin Lodge. There are several room options available, some as low as $69/night. The lodge is holding a block of rooms until June 9. Act now, before they’re all gone. Follow this link.

Field Trips – The online conference registration form lists five official field trips on Tuesday afternoon. They include three options within Brown County State Park: mountain biking (BCSP’s trails are “epic” rated by International Mountain Biking Association), horseback riding or a guided nature hike with Indiana State Parks staff. The two off-site field trips are a tour of early Hoosier artist T.C. Steele’s home and studio or an inside look at early results of an ongoing 100-year forestry management study at nearby Morgan-Monroe State Forest.

If none of these strike your fancy, there are other on-your-own opportunities, such as ziplining, golf, shopping and tours of local microbreweries, distilleries and wineries. Ask at the registration desk for details.

Auction – A highlight of every conference – and an important fundraiser – is the ACI Auction. If you have access to agency SWAG or merchandise that would make attractive auction items, please start squirreling them away. And of course, trips to state parks, fishing/hunting excursions or guided trips to natural areas are also popular. Please use your connections to help make something available.