The theme for the 2024 Training Conference is 80 Years and Still Growing. We hope that you are planning to join us at the Margaritaville Tan Tar A this year from December 2-4, 2024! At the conference this year we will be celebrating 80 years of Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Missouri. For new board members and employees and seasoned ones too, you will find a lot of opportunities for training and the chance to visit and learn from board members and other district employees from all over the state.
Registration for the conference is now open. MASWCD is using the same software that was used last year. You can follow this link to register:
https://missouriassociationswcd.regfox.com/2024-maswcd-training-conference
The deadline to pre-register is November 15th at 5:00 p.m. After that date, registration will be done at the conference with an additional fee charged.
Registration fees this year again include all meals but there is a “no meal” registration option. For those opting to not pay full registration, no per diem is allowed for meals that would be provided at the full registration fee unless paid by local funds. Meals not included in full registration can be paid from your administrative funds as long as you are in a 12-hour travel status. In addition, if you paid full registration, you will not get per diem if you decide not to eat the conference meal. If you have any questions, please contact your coordinator.
All SWCD board members attending the MASWCD Annual Business Meeting will receive a special gift from MASWCD. If board members can only attend one day, there is a special one day registration for SWCD board members for Tuesday December 3rd. This registration includes Tuesday lunch. Also, all board members attending the training conference for the first time will be eligible for a $100 drawing.
Have you made your hotel reservation yet? If you haven’t decided if you are attending this year, the hotel has advised us to go ahead and make a reservation now. Cancellations can be done up to 72 hours ahead of the planned arrival. Rooms cannot be guaranteed after the hotel cut-off date of November 2, 2024. Room rates are $104.00 per night plus lodging tax. This rate also applies to two dates prior to and after the conference if you wish to stay additional nights at your own expense. Sales tax will be exempt if you provide your sales tax-exempt letter upon check-in. For hotel reservations call Tan-Tar-A at 1-800-826-8272 or go to their website at http://www.margaritavilleresortlakeoftheozarks.com .
Mileage to and from the conference, registration and hotel are all allowed to be paid from the district’s 04 Administrative Fund for both staff and board members.
This year SWCDs will have the opportunity to pay for preregistration with either credit card or check. Payment by check please send to MASWCD P.O. Box 105981 Jefferson City, MO 65110. If you decide to pay credit card please enter your credit card information on the registration page.
Attached to this email is a draft agenda for the conference. There are a couple changes to the agenda this year. There will only be one set of workshops Monday afternoon, these workshops will be 90 minutes in length. There will also be a Welcome Reception Monday evening in the trade show area prior to the banquet. A list of workshops and descriptions is also attached. The last item attached is a flyer for the MASWCD Auction which will be held Tuesday evening at the conference. MASWCD is asking SWCD boards and/or employees to contribute items for the auction. Proceeds from the auction are used to support legislative efforts of the association.
Please reach out to myself, Jim Boschert or your coordinator with any questions concerning the conference. Emails have been sent out on Resolutions that will be presented at the Annual Meeting and remember, we must have a quorum of board members present to vote on any resolutions. We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating 80 years of Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Missouri.
Ron Willis
MASWCD President