NALS Conference - Norfolk

URGENT! ROOMS AVAILABLE

2008-08-12T17:59:00.002-05:00

We just received word from the hotel that 10 rooms have become available. If you need to reserve a room at the hotel, please contact the Marriott ASAP.

All Aboard!

2008-06-24T09:36:00.003-05:00

See the USA in your Chevrolet! Are gas prices keeping you from driving the Chevy to Norfolk? Air fare breaking the bank? Then Amtrak is your answer! Amtrak can take you to Norfolk for a very reasonable rate. Yes, it will probably take you a little longer, but when you figure in the time you spend checking in and waiting at the airport, including your connection, Amtrak is a pretty good deal. You can catch up on your sleep or read a good book on the trip.

There is a train station in Norfolk. It's not a large station, merely a drop-off location. Confused? Trains all go through Newport News, Virginia, about a 45 minute bus ride from Norfolk. Your train arrives in NPN and then Amtrak will take you by bus to Norfolk. On the return trip, you will be picked up by Amtrak at the Norfolk train station and they'll take you to NPN for your return trip home. The train depot in Norfolk is about 3 minutes from the hotel, or a $5 cab ride.

DO NOT BOOK YOUR TRAIN TO NEWPORT NEWS OR ELSE YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF PAYING FOR A HEFTY TAXI OR SHUTTLE RIDE TO NORFOLK. Book the train to Norfolk!

AAA or AARP, among other discounts, can make the trip even cheaper. For example, a roundtrip train ride from Boston to Norfolk can be as low as $158 roundtrip. Coming in from the city of Brotherly Love? Rates can be as low as $108 a person roundtrip. Obviously schedules affect rates. You may have to change trains, but you also change planes.

Leave the driving to someone else and head to Norfolk. If you are looking for an alternative way of getting to Norfolk as cheap as possible, check out Amtrak.

Don't forget that the regular registration deadline is July 15.

What's Going on in Norfolk at the Conference?

2008-06-04T14:27:00.003-05:00

NALS members love to express their opinions!

The focus group topics for Norfolk have been determined. We hope you will plan on attending one or both of these sessions.

Diversity/Generational Needs – How do diversity and generational needs affect your office environment? What problems have you or your firm encountered with multiple generations working together? How about your chapter leadership? This session will be held on Saturday, September 13 at 11:30 a.m.

Ethics/Outsourcing – How does your firm handle conflicts related to outsourcing of legal services, including attorneys, paralegals, vendors, sharing of secretarial/support services by multiple non-firm related attorneys? This session will be held on Saturday, September 13 at 3:00 p.m.

Let YOUR voice be heard! Plan on attending these sessions!

The Strategic Planning Committee thanks YOU in advance for your participation!

No Room at the Inn?

2008-05-15T10:34:00.002-05:00

We just received word the hotel may be sold out of rooms on Wednesday (9/10) prior to the start of the conference. We are working on alternative rooming solutions and it should NOT keep you from attending the NALS Annual Conference.

Need a roommate? Got a room? Please post your requests for roommates, extra available rooms, etc. under Conferences in the NALS Community. If you have made a reservation and do not need your room, DO NOT CANCEL YOUR ROOM RESERVATION! Post the availability in the Community (or contact Tammy Hailey at the NALS Resource Center [(918) 582-5188)] so we can give that room to another NALS member. If you cancel the room on your own, it will go back to the hotel to sell to anyone - not another NALS member looking for a room.

Join us...we're going to have a great time in Norfolk!

IT'S RAINING MEN!

2008-05-14T15:21:00.004-05:00

Not really...but at least we got your attention. Make plans to attend the The NALS Foundation Gala at the annual conference which will be held on Saturday night. This is an extra event and is not included in your registration. However, it will be worth every penny! You'll get a great dinner and entertainment, too.

The Foundation is sponsoring a M.A.N.! To thank our members for supporting the NALS Foundation, join us for Membership Appreciation Night! The Foundation will be bringing in MEN -- the Gentlemen of the College. After dinner, you'll be entertained by an all male a Capella group from the College of William and Mary.

You can see and hear about them at http://www.gentlemenofthecollege.com.

Don't miss out on this special event! You must register prior to the conference in order to secure a ticket and attend the Gala. Tickets will NOT be sold in Norfolk.

EXTENSION - SPIRT OF NORFOLK

2008-05-07T12:58:00.002-05:00

Due to overwhelming demand, we are extending the deadline to register for the Spirit of Norfolk cruise we're taking on Thursday, September 11, 2008. More than 1/3 of the boat will be NALS members. In fact, we currently have 143 NALS members (and guests) registered and who are going to have one fantabulous evening! Don't' be stuck sitting in the hotel alone. Don't wait to hear how much fun we had on the trip. Join us and have fun with us.

You'll board the ship at 6:30 p.m. and you'll cruise into the night from 7- 10 p.m.

Cost for NALS members only is $45 per person inclusive - you'll get a scrumptious buffet dinner, entertainment (DJ) and the cruise for only $45, which is a bargain! (Retail is $69.03 per person—savings of $24.03 per person.)

DO NOT CONTACT NALS TO REGISTER! Contact Melanie Nissenson at757-217-0627 by May 31st. Register TODAY & SAVE! Don't delay!

Operators are standing by now to take YOUR reservation!

AIR FARE TO NORFOLK...AN ALTERNATIVE

2008-04-29T09:29:00.003-05:00

WANNA SAVE MONEY GOING TO NORFOLK? If you haven't booked your flight for Norfolk, NOW is the time to check out fares. As an alternative to flying into Norfolk (ORF), check out Newport News (PHF). Fares can sometimes be half as what you would pay flying into Norfolk.

Some airlines are also offering a deal - use part of your frequent flyer miles and pay a reduced rate. If you don't have a bunch of miles, this may work for you.

The Newport News airport is about 17 miles from Norfolk, but may take you 45 - 60 minutes to get to Norfolk due to vacation travel. It will take a little longer on Sunday, so make sure your return flight is later and give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport.

How to get from the airport to the hotel? The shuttles are significantly cheaper if you have more people sharing the cost. For example, one person would pay $49.75 going from Newport News to the hotel, while the cost for 4 would be $88.75 (or $22.19 each), so you can see the savings. Same thing applies to the Norfolk airport. One person would pay $24, where the cost for 4 people is $39 (or $9.75 each). We want to help you save some $$$ on shuttles and airfare.

One of the easiest ways to do that is for our members to share that information on the NALS Community, and then work together to coordinate arrivals and departures and share shuttles. If you are interested in sharing a shuttle and saving some $$$, share your information there!

HISTORIC WILLIAMSBURG

2008-04-28T11:38:00.002-05:00

Nothing is free...and it will cost you about $37 to get into the sites of Historic Williamsburg. You can save 10% if you order your pass online ($33.30) in the Colonial Williamsburg ticket store http://www.history.org/visit/planYourVisit/Ticketplans/

BUS TO WILLIAMSBURG???

2008-04-28T10:44:00.003-05:00

What are you doing on Wednesday, September 10? If you will already be in Norfolk for the conference and you're looking for something to do, there is a possibility of getting a bus to take members up to Historic Williamsburg for the day. You'll leave the hotel around 9 a.m. and arrive in Williamsburg around 10 a.m. You will leave Williamsburg around 5 p.m. and arrive back at the hotel around 6 p.m. (Schedule is estimated right now.) You'll have the entire day to spend exploring Williamsburg on your own. The cost will be approximately $55-60 per person. This is a small bus and can accommodate up to 23 people. In order to book the bus, we will need to get a firm number no later than MAY 7. You will then be required to make a non-refundable deposit to cover the cost of your bus ticket.

If you are interested, please contact Jenni at the NALS Resource Center.

Are You Sure That Document Is Confidential?

2008-04-23T14:05:00.003-05:00

Yes? No? Maybe? If you aren't sure, this is a CAN'T MISS session at the NALS Annual Conference.

Think about it...your office receives a subpoena for copies of files. Surely they’re protected by the attorney-client or work product privilege; right? Wrong! Glen A. Huff, Esq., of Huff, Poole & Mahoney will explain WHY privileged documents aren’t always privileged.

You learn something new everyday...and you're bound to learn a great deal at the NALS Annual Conference in Norfolk.

Make plans to attend! The early bird deadline is June 1. Registration information is available in the latest issue of @LAW or at www.nals.org.

What's for Dinner?

2008-04-23T14:00:00.005-05:00

I knew that would get your attention. We've got a lot of great education to wet your appetite for knowledge.

Our opening keynote speaker will be Randy Singer, award-winning novelist and trial lawyer, who will be drawing on the cases he's tried and stories he's written to illustrate principles of success for legal professionals. What can you learn about life from a bloody band-aid in a fast food hamburger? Is the case of the telltale heart fact or fiction? Sometimes, our most important lessons are learned through the strangest circumstances, and sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction.

Singer has penned six legal thrillers, including Directed Verdict, which won the Christy Award in 2003 for the best Christian suspense novel, and three nonfiction books. In addition to his law practice and writing, Randy teaches at Regent Law School, serves on the Board of Legal Advisors for the American Center for Law and Justice, and co-hosts a radio show on Sirius Channel 161.

So, are you hungry for more? Tune in next time to learn more about our conference speakers.

HELP!

2008-04-09T15:31:00.003-05:00

R U having problems making room reservations in Norfolk?

If so, contact the hotel directly during business hours (M-F, 9-4:30) and asks for in-house reservations. They will be able to help you reserve your extra days or if you have trouble.

Still having issues? Contact Tammy at NALS and she will work with our representative at the hotel.

The room block is filling up fast so make your reservations TODAY!

Got Your Reservation Yet?

2008-03-25T11:31:00.002-05:00

NALS members will pack their bags and head south to Norfolk, Virginia for the 57th NALS Annual Conference, September 11-14, 2008. We'll be staying at the Marriott Waterside.

The room block is filling up fast, especially if you want days pre and post-conference. The deadline for hotel reservations is August 10, 2008, however, the hotel does not have to add additional rooms to our room block if it fills up before the deadline.

Don't be left sleeping on the beach. Pick up the phone and call 1-757-627-4200 and make your reservation today.

Operators are standing by NOW to take YOUR reservation.

Attention Animal Lovers

2008-03-25T11:16:00.003-05:00

One of the 10 best sites in the Norfolk area is the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge located in southeastern Virginia. The refuge consists of over 111,000 acres of forested wetlands. Lake Drummond, at 3,100 acres and the largest natural lake in Virginia, is located in the heart of the swamp. It also goes over state lines and continues into North Carolina. The Great Dismal has the proud distinction of hosting more mammals than any other local preserve and is home to black bears and the endangered Dismal Swamp shrew.

It's about 45 minutes from Norfolk, and an easy drive if you are renting a car. The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm and the cost is FREE!

For more information, check it out at http://www.fws.gov/northeast/greatdismalswamp.

Free Airfare to Norfolk!

2008-03-16T15:01:00.004-05:00

FREE? At least you air fare can be free.

Be sure to catch the next issue of Leading the Way. I have written an article that gives you some hints how YOU can get free air fare to the next NALS conference and some links that can help you earn miles. Did you know that when you shop online, you can earn miles? You can! When you use your credit card, you can earn miles. When you pay utility bills, you can earn miles. You can even earn miles when you order a pizza!

If you can't earn enough miles for you flight to Norfolk, then start banking miles to attend your next NALS conference.

APRIL 30 DEADLINE - SPIRIT OF NORFOLK

2008-03-13T12:08:00.003-05:00

Come sail on the Spirit of Norfolk on Thursday, September 11th, 2008. You'll board the ship at 6:30 p.m. and you'll cruise into the night from 7- 10 p.m.

Cost for NALS members only is $45 per person inclusive - you'll get a fabulous dinner, entertainment and the cruise for only $45, which is a bargain! (Retail is $69.03 per person—savings of $24.03 per person.)

DO NOT CONTACT NALS TO REGISTER! To register, contact Melanie Nissenson at
757-217-0627. Call Now – Before Space Fills Up!

If you register AFTER APRIL 30, 2008, the cost will be $69.03 per person.

Register by April 30, 2008 & SAVE!!!!

Don't delay! Operators are standing by now to take YOUR reservation!

R U a History Buff?

2008-02-27T11:36:00.003-06:00

If you want to stay near the hotel, check out Fort Norfolk, the last remaining of 19 harbor-front forts authorized in 1794 by President George Washington. The fort's 4-acre site overlooks the Elizabeth River. It includes earthwork embankments, ramparts, a dungeon, officers' quarters, powder magazine, barracks, and guardhouse.

The fort helped protect Norfolk during the War of 1812. In 1862 the fort was recaptured by the Union Army and used as a prison. In 1923 the fort was occupied by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which still owns the Fort.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Come on in...the water's fine!

2008-02-25T21:07:00.002-06:00

You'll find over 700,000 gallons of one of the best aquariums and live animal habitats in the country at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center located in Virginia Beach. The journey of water introduces you to the many aquatic animals and plants that are native to the state. You'll see sharks and stingrays, as well as river otters, seahorses, snakes and other marsh dwellers. There is also a half-acre bird aviary and you'll see 55 different species of native birds.
You can walk along a nature trail through salt marsh and woodland preserve between the Aquarium's buildings. If you aren't afraid of heights, then climb the 30-foot observation tower to get a view of Owls Creek.

Does a stingray really feel like wet bologna? What do a horseshoe crab's mouth and a toothbrush have in common? Find out for yourself! Where else can you examine skulls, shells, and shark jaws? There are 300 interactive exhibits to learn more about marshes, the Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

For more information and to plan your trip, go to http://www.virginiaaquarium.com.

See you in Norfolk!

Life's a Beach!

2008-02-25T21:01:00.003-06:00

Come to Norfolk a few days before the conference and relax at the beach! Picture it ... sun, sand, and rolling waves. Virginia Beach has long been considered a "classic American beach vacation" spot. The Chesapeake Bay, Resort area and Sandbridge are three of the distinct beaches within the city where you can enjoy a calm, peaceful beach setting or be right in the middle of all the action. Whatever it is you desire in a beach, this stretch of the Virginia coast aims to please. If your idea of a "day at the beach" is more relaxed, then you'll want to visit Chesapeake Bay Beach for a tranquil spot along the scenic Chesapeake Bay.

Pocahontas Welcomes YOU to Jamestown!

2008-02-25T20:45:00.002-06:00

Jamestown was America’s first permanent English colony, in Virginia in 1607 – 13 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. There are a lot of activities for exploring the first permanent English settlement in North America. You can share the moment of discovery with archaeologists and witness archaeology-in-action at the 1607 James Fort excavation, tour the original 17th-century church tower and reconstructed 17th-century Jamestown Memorial Church, take a walking tour with a park ranger through the original settlement along the scenic James River, and even "meet" a 17th-century personality. Who knows? Maybe you'll get a chance to meet Pocahontas!

Williamsburg - a short trip from Norfolk

2008-02-25T20:32:00.003-06:00

Experience life in 18th century by visiting the largest living outdoor history museum in Colonial Williamsburg. Maybe you could rent a car for the day and drive up to Williamsburg. You can go off on your own, or you can take a private tour, where you'll learn all about Colonial Williamsburg Virginia.

Have you ever tasted Virginia wine? While you are in Williamsburg, take a tour of the local winery, surrounded by over 50 acres of vineyards. You can tour through the winery, museum and underground barrel cellars, and of course, taste seven wines after the tour and receive an etched tasting glass.

If you are a kid at heart, then head to Busch Gardens, which was voted America's most beautiful theme park. You'll find more than forty rides, shows, and attractions. Are you a roller coaster fan? Then this is the place for you! Busch Gardens is known for its world-class roller coaster rides, such as the Alpengeist and Apollo's Chariot.

It's not to early...

2008-02-11T18:38:00.000-06:00

to plan your trip to Norfolk for the NALS Annual Conference. There is a lot to do in the area, so plan a mini-vacation in conjunction with the conference. You will want to arrive in Norfolk on Wednesday, September 10 because we'll start with our first session early Thursday morning. Think about going down a few days early to take in the history of Williamsburg or relax on the beach. Mark your calendar now and plan to attend a weekend of networking, education and fun!