IAC changes conference attendance policy

In an attempt to maintain balance between government and industry attendees at its annual Executive Leadership Conference (ELC), the Industry Advisory Council has reduced the number of guaranteed slots for member companies.

The number of representatives companies can send to ELC varies depending on the companies’ dues level. In the past, those slots were guaranteed. According to the new procedure, companies will be entitled to the same number of slots, but one will not be guaranteed, according to an e-mail sent to IAC members.

For example, if a company was guaranteed three ELC slots under the old policy, this year it will get two guaranteed slots and one on a waitlist. Companies that had only one guaranteed slot based on the old procedure will not have a guaranteed one this year, but IAC will release 90 waitlisted spots to them on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The purpose is to limit conference attendance to 900 and maintain a ratio of government to industry participants of at least 1-to-2.5, according to the IAC announcement, signed by IAC Chairwoman Ellen Glover.

"The policy should be fair and equitable to the membership while maintaining an appropriate representation from among all IAC member companies," Glover wrote.

In addition, companies must pay their 2006 IAC dues by April 3 to be eligible for any ELC slots. Companies can qualify for additional slots by being a sponsor or getting three first-time government attendees to register for the conference, Glover's letter states.

The conference has been held in Hershey, Pa., for the past several years, but in 2006 it will move to Williamsburg, Va. The first phase of registration begins June 19. The conference will be held Oct. 29-31.