General Information and Accommodations

Hotel Information

Convention registration, general and scientific sessions, all Exhibit Hall activities, and pre-convention workshops will be held in the Fort Worth Convention Center. SAF committee meetings, ancillary meetings, House of Society Delegates and SAF Committee Meetings, and Alumni Get-Togethers will be held at the Radisson Plaza Fort Worth.

Discounted rates for SAF convention attendees are available for the Radisson Plaza Fort Worth. The Radisson Plaza Fort Worth is located two blocks from the Fort Worth Convention Center.

Radisson Plaza Fort Worth
815 Main Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 870-2100, (800) 333-3333

The room rate at the Radisson Plaza Fort Worth is $122 single or double and $127 triple and $132 quad. For reservations, call the hotel directly. Indicate that you will be with the Society of American Foresters Convention. This historic full-service hotel offers a complimentary health club and two restaurants. Valet and self-parking are available for a fee.

You can also secure the SAF convention rate online. Enter promotion code: AF122

Group rate cut-off is Monday, September 26, 2005.

Student Housing -will have to show id

Ft. Worth Plaza Hotel
1701 Commerce Street Ft. Worth, TX 76102
Main line: (817) 335-7000
Individual reservations can be made by calling – 1-877-389-7829
Please reference the SAF National Convention
Group rate = $74 S/D and $84 T/Q
Group rate cut-off is: Monday, September 26th, 2005

Overflow hotels for Ft. Worth 2005
(listed in order of proximity to the Ft. Worth Convention Center)

Hotel Commitment

We urge you to reserve a room at the Radisson Plaza Fort Worth or the Fort Worth Plaza Hotel to ensure that that our contractual obligations are met. Thank you for your cooperation.

These hotel rates are in effect until Monday, September 26, 2005. After that date, reservations will be accepted at these rates based on availability.

General Information

Air Travel

SAF convention attendees can benefit from discount airfares on Northwest or American Airlines. You are welcome to use the travel agent of your choice or call Northwest or American Airlines directly. Be sure to mention the codes below. By selecting one of these carriers, you will help to defray speaker travel expenses for future national conventions.

American Airlines Call American Airlines at (800) 433-1790 or your travel agent and refer to code number A28H5AF.

Northwest Airlines Call Northwest at (800) 328-1111 or your travel agent and refer to the WorldFile Code NYTSX. Northwest also offers the option to book online. Enter the SAF WorldFile Code and the E-Cert Number: 01201300014951at bottom of the link for further discounts. Go to www.nwa.com/grouprequest/meeting_travel.html.

Ground Transportation

Once you arrive at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), you can either take a taxi or a shuttle van to area Fort Worth hotels. Taxis to Fort Worth are approximately $55 each way. Discounted shuttle (van) transportation with the Yellow Checker Shuttle has been arranged from the airport to SAF-contracted Fort Worth hotels. The fare is $13 per person each way to either the Radisson Plaza Hotel Fort Worth or the student hotel. Once you secure your flights, you can book your shuttle transportation using one of the following:

Click on the button above and schedule your shuttle. This option gives you a further discount. A major credit card is necessary to book online.

Print the shuttle coupon from the SAF convention web page and present it to the driver.

Call directly to Yellow Checker Shuttle at (866) 903-1900. Secure a confirmation number verbally and give the number to the driver.

Further online discounts are available for groups of 10 or more who arrive together. Check the link above.

Upon arrival at the airport, locate the Ground Transportation Information Board. Dial "005" to be connected to the Yellow Checker Shuttle dispatch center. They will direct you to the closest Yellow Checker Shuttle loading zone.

What to Pack

Dress is business attire. Saturday evening events will be casual or casual-western attire. Appropriate field attire will be necessary for the Technical Field Workshops.

The average high temperature during October is in the low 80s, and the evening temperatures average in the mid to high 60s. The majority of the Saturday evening events will occur outside and will take place regardless of weather. It is a good idea to bring an umbrella and a light jacket just in case. Check Fort Worth weather at www.weather.com before you pack.

Registration

The basic registration fee includes entry to all scientific and technical sessions, the Icebreaker Reception, and all Exhibit Hall functions. All Special Activities, Leisure Tours, Technical Field Workshops, and Convention Proceedings require additional fees.

Registration Categories

All current SAF members qualify for the member rates. If your membership has lapsed, you can obtain a membership form at www.safnet.org/who/join.cfm.

Nonmembers. We encourage nonmembers to join SAF prior to registering for the convention. Nonmembers pay an additional $120 on registration fees, while membership in SAF is $79 plus a one-time $5 admission fee. The student nonmember rate includes membership in SAF through December 31, 2006. Students paying this rate will need to complete a membership application to take advantage of membership benefits.

Companion fees include admission to the Icebreaker Reception and all Exhibit Hall functions, in addition to the Companion Coffee on Thursday, October 20. All professional foresters should register under either the SAF member or nonmember categories to attend the scientific sessions.

All accepted speakers and poster presenters are eligible to receive the early bird rate throughout the entire registration period.

SAF is pleased to announce a new rate category for the 2005 convention:

Weekend Rates
Current SAF members can register for the Weekend Rate, which is good for all events on Friday, October 21 and all the technical sessions on Saturday, October 22. If you qualify as a current Certified Forester®, you are also encouraged to attend the Continuing Education Workshop: Catch Up on CFEs on Sunday, October 23. Saturday evening's special event and Sunday's Technical Field Workshops have additional fees above the weekend rate.

Registration Form

The registration form cannot be processed unless accompanied by a check, purchase order, money order, or credit card information.

If you have faxed your registration form, do not duplicate by mailing.

All cancellations and request for refunds must be received in writing by Friday, September 16. Fax your request to (301) 897-3690, Attn: Registrar. A $25 administrative fee will be deducted from the total refunded amount. No refunds will be available after Friday, September 16.

Confirmations

Confirmations will be sent within 2 weeks of the receipt of your registration. If you need immediate guarantee of receipt, please use the fax or e-mail confirmation.

Special Services

If you are in need of any special service, attention, or arrangements, indicate this on the registration form and SAF will contact you.

Foresters' Fund: Everything is Bigger in Texas!

The 2005 Foresters' Fund Auction and Raffle promises to be the best ever. Knowing that Texans do things BIG, the committee has secured some fantastic donations. Have you ever wanted to hunt for a trophy deer in Texas, or fish for a giant whopper in the Gulf of Mexico? Are you yearning for a new Stetson hat, a shiny new belt buckle, or a pair of cool cowboy boots? The 2005 Foresters' Fund Auction and Raffle will offer these items and much more.

The Foresters' Fund Auction and Raffle benefits from your contributions as well. You can donate items that are indigenous to your local area or school, create a craft item, or work in conjunction with other local foresters to pull together a group of related items.

Want to donate to the Foresters' Fund but don't feel like keeping up with an item on the plane or in your car? No problem! There is now a line item donation box on the registration form that goes directly to the Forester's Fund. Donated items can be brought to the Fort Worth Convention Center. They will be accepted during registration hours or can be sent to :
Foresters' Fund Donation
c/o Hughes Simpson, Texas Forest Service
2127 S. First Street
Highway 59 South
Lufkin, TX 75902

If you decide to hand carry your items, please notify Hughes by email and provide the following information:
Name and address; the individual, state society, division or chapter donating the items(s), and a description (including approximate value) of the item(s)
Donors receive an acknowledgment letter from SAF that can be used for tax purposes.

Remember, this year we are giving out the 'Ol Pinch' Award to the state society that raises the most money for the Foresters' Fund and donates the most items. Good luck!