Final Agenda

Conference Events
www.coe.uga.edu/gcba

General Sessions
The speakers at the General Sessions are authors and illustrators of children's books. We invite the winners of the "Georgia Children's Picture Storybook Award" and the "Georgia Children's Book Award" to speak and accept their awards. We also invite other award-winning authors and illustrators who write in various genres and for various grade levels and who represent various cultures. We aim for variety and diversity among General Session speakers.

Attendees
The conference is attended by K-8 teachers and library media specialists, as well as by public librarians and others who are interested in children's literature.

Concurrent Sessions
Concurrent sessions are 45 minutes.

Teachers, library media specialists, public librarians, and others submit proposals to be presenters at the conference. They are professionals who are willing to share what works in their classrooms and libraries with other professionals. Consider being a presenter and sharing what works in your position.

Autographing
Autographing is one of the most popular events of the conference. Each speaker is typically available for autographing at several times during the conference.

Book Sales
Books by all of the General Session speakers are available for sale at the conference. The conference bookstore is run by the UGA Bookstore; credit cards are accepted. Other children's books and professional books are also available in the conference bookstore.

Meals

• Friday Luncheon — All people who register for the whole conference have tickets to attend the Friday Luncheon.
• Saturday Breakfast Buffet — The Country Breakfast Buffet is optional and includes all the traditional Southern fare, plus cereals, fruit, and bagels — something for everyone.
• Storyteller's Luncheon — All people who register for the whole conference have tickets to attend the Storyteller's Luncheon.

Georgia Children's Book Awards Program
www.coe.uga.edu/gcba

You decide the award winners by voting online!

Nominees
Current and past nominees for the "Picture Storybook Award" (K-4) and "Book Award" (4-8) are listed on our Web site at www.coe.uga.edu/gcba.

Participation
A link for registering your school to participate is provided on our Web site. Schools need to register to participate each year. The phone number you provide will be your password for voting. You may register to participate up to 48 hours before voting ends.

Vote
Web voting will begin at noon on Monday, March 23, 2009, and will end at noon on Friday, April 24, 2009.

Graduate Programs in Children's Literature
www.coe.uga.edu/lle

The Georgia Center

The Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center & Hotel, located on the beautiful, historic campus of the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, provides educational conferences, courses, and programs for lifelong learners. A total living and learning environment, the Georgia Center includes a 200-room hotel, restaurants, banquet areas, conference rooms, auditoriums, a fitness center, and a computer lab — all under one roof. As a unit of UGA's Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, the Center brings the University's teaching, research, and service expertise to the people of Georgia and beyond! For more information, visit www.georgiacenter.uga.edu.

Special Needs
If you require special services, facilities, or dietary restrictions, contact your event coordinator Holly Blanchard, at 706-542-2237 or Holly.Blanchard@georgiacenter.uga.edu, by February 7, 2009.

Lodging at the Georgia Center Hotel
For your convenience, a block of rooms is being held for your event until 5:00 p.m. ET, February 12, 2009. Policies: (1) Tax Exemption — The State of Georgia only allows tax-exempt charges for a payment by a state-issued credit card or check or by a direct bill to a state agency (with a Georgia State Tax Exemption Certificate). (2) Lodging Cancellation — Cancel your reservation by 4:00 p.m. ET the day prior to your scheduled arrival to avoid being charged one night's room and tax. (3) Check-in is 4:00 p.m. ET; checkout is 11:00 a.m. ET. (4) At check-in, you must present your method of payment or a completed credit card authorization form (call 800-884-1381 for a copy, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET).

Travel Information
Athens, Georgia, is located about 60 miles northeast of Atlanta. For directions and airport shuttle information, see www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/directions. A parking deck is located adjacent to the Center ($10 per night; vehicle height limit, 7 feet). Athens is served by Athens-Ben Epps Airport as well as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which is located about 90 minutes southwest of Athens. Scheduled ground shuttle service and rental car services are available between Hartsfield-Jackson and the Georgia Center.

Event Cancellation Policies
(1) A cancellation received by 5:00 p.m. ET on or before Friday, February 13, 2009 will be refunded, minus a $35 processing fee. No refunds will be issued thereafter; substitutions will be allowed. (2) To change or cancel your registration, call 800-884-1381, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. (3) If an event is cancelled for any reason, the Georgia Center will not be responsible for any charges related to travel.

Registration