Thursday, August 23, 2007

2007 Illinois Educational Conference

Join us this year for the annual statewide educational conference at the Drury Lane Conference Center. The conference will be held October 26-27, 2007. This year's keynote speakers are: Susan Connors (Brain Injury Association of America), Dr. Gail Rosseau (Neurologic & Orthopedic Institute of Chicago), Dr. Debra Braunling McMorrow (The MENTOR ABI Network), Dr. Roberta DePompei (University of Akron), and Dr. James Young (Rush University Medical Center). Additional speakers include: Rebecca Brashler (Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago), Dr. Roy Adair (Advocate Christ Medical Center), Lyle VanDeventer (Illinois DHS), Martin McMorrow (The MENTOR ABI Network), Dr. Elliot Roth (Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago), Beverly Menninger (Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital), Dr. Nelson Escobar (Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital), Dr. Ruth Brown (Illinois Board of Education), and Dr. John Parise (Healthcare Management Solutions, Inc). Diana Nawrocki (Brain Injury Association of Illinois Board Member) will be conducting an expressive art session during the afternoon on October 26, 2007. Senator Richard Durbin is the invited guest speaker for the Friday night dinner.

Some of our topics will address: visual dysfunction, pain management, ethics in brain injury rehabilitation, nutrition and brain injury, spasticity, predicting outcomes after brain injury for the military and civilian populations, family interactions, the helping process, the IEP process and changes, addressing the needs of children/young adults following a brain injury, research and current trends. The finalized program will be posted on the website.

There are many sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities for this conference. Attendees enjoy meeting with providers and organizations in the Exhibitor Hall throughout the conference. Please consider supporting this year's state conference by becoming a sponsor and exhibitor. Program Book sponsorship opportunities are also available.

The conference registration form and the exhibitor/sponsor packet can be downloaded from the website, http://www.biail.org/

The Hilton Suites and the Hilton Garden Inn are offering special conference rates which are available until October 4, 2007.When making reservations, please inform them you want the Brain Injury Association of Illinois conference rate. Both hotels are adjacent to the Drury Lane Conference Center.
Hilton Suites - $114 (nightly rate excluding tax) (630) 941-0100
Hilton Garden Inn - $89 (nightly rate excluding tax) (630) 941-1177

Make your reservations on-line for the Hilton Garden, http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/groups/personalized/chiobg_bic/
Make your reservations on-line for the Hilton Suites, http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/chioths_bai/index.jhtml