The 2008 Annual Conference will be held at the world famous Foxwoods Resort in the brand new MGM Grand Hotel from June 8th through the 10th, with the Preconference on June 7th, so start planning early. For a peek at the new hotel, visit the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort's website at mgmatfoxwoods.com.

Four More Breakout Sessions! Certification Exam Preparation and Leadership Education

At DDNA 2008, we have added four additional breakout sessions. Two of these sessions are geared to certification exam preparation, for those nurses who are planning to sit for the CDDN or DDC exams this year. Because these sessions provide such a great overview of I/DD nursing, nurses new to this specialty could also benefit from attending the certification test preparation session. The other two new breakout sessions focus on impoartant leadership skills in I/DD nursing: writing for publication and making confident, professional presentations at meetings or conferences. It is absolutely vital to the specialty of I/DD nursing that the nurses who are the experts - YOU! - have the skills and confidence to teach, present, and write about what you know. These skills stand you well whether you are teaching a small class at your workplace or addressing an audience of hundreds.

Network/Chapter Officer Leadership Seminar and Luncheon

DDNA is offering a leadership seminar for network/chapter officers on Tuesday afternoon, immediately following the conference. Dr. Jo Manion, a nationally acclaimed author and senior management consultant in nursing and healthcare, will be the presenter. We invite chapter/network officers to attend this special seminar that will focus on successful growth through vibrant leadership. This is an exceptional opportunity to interact with the officers of other networks, to share opinions and ideas, and to learn from an expert. This seminar and luncheon is limited to current network officers and is complimentary.

DDNA and AADMD 2008 Hospitality Reception

Plan your travel schedule to arrive in time for the DDNA 2008 Hospitality Reception. It will be starting a little earlier this year at 5:30 PM. This will give you time to enjoy some light refreshments and the fellowship of your professional colleagues - and still have time for a delicious dinner at one of Foxwoods' more than 30 restaurants or to enjoy a performance of legendary singer Smokey Robinson. The Hospitality Reception is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the old friends and to welcome some of the more than 800 new nurses who have joined DDNA within the past year. This year DDNA is also welcoming the physicians and dentists from AADMD, and we are delighted to share our hospitality with them. Also, for the first time, the exhibit hall will be open during the reception to give you more time to browse through the exhibits, learn about products and services, and talk with the exhibitors.

On June 7th, Smokey Robinson will grace the stage of the MGM Grand Theater with his smooth, romantic musical stylings. And if you happen to arrive at Foxwoods on Friday, June 6th, the MGM Grand Theater will be hosting a concert by Cindy Lauper, The B52s, Rosie O'Donnell, Tegan and Sara, and The Cliks. Tickets for both concerts must be purchased in advance from the Foxwoods website. Visit www.foxwoods.com/OurWonders/Entertainment and click on the "MGM Grand Theater Tickets" link.

Conference Brochure

All conference brochures have been mailed and if you are a DDNA member, you should have received yours in February. Brochures were mailed to the addresses we have on file, so if you didn't receive your copy in February, verify that your contact information is correct and current. You can make changes on your "My DDNA" page once you log in (using your username and password). If you haven't created a username and password yet, you can click here to create one now. Additional copies of the brochure are available only as a download. Click here to download a copy.
The information in the conference brochure is also available in the Quick Links on this page. If you have any questions, please call DDNA at 1-800-888-6733, Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm ET.

Sponsors and Exhibitors

DDNA 2008 offers companies and organizations many wonderful opportunities to share their information with interested attendees who are eager for information. We encourage sponsors to reach out during DDNA 2008. To download a sponsor and exhibitor prospectus, click here.

Employer Forms

Does your employer need more information about the value of attending DDNA 2008? Click here to download a letter that you can customize and give to your employer.

Speaker and Poster Sessions

We are now soliciting proposals for speakers and poster sessions.

Click here for information and submission of a 2009 speaker presentation proposal.
We would like to thank everyone who submitted a speaker presentation proposal. DDNA's speaker agenda for the 2008 Annual Conference at Foxwoods Resort is now set. If you would like to submit a speaker presentation proposal for the 2009 Annual Conference, you may do so here.

Click here for information and submission of a 2008 poster session.
DDNA is still accepting poster session submissions for the 2008 Annual Conference at Foxwoods Resort.
We are especially interested in receiving proposals from nurses - after all, nurses ARE the experts on subjects in DD nursing! You may also recommend other qualified speakers with expertise in developmental disabilities.