Important information for visitors not accustomed to Snowbird’s high altitude

Complied by the Colorado Altitude Research Institute

Utah’s Wasatch Mountains are among the most beautiful in America and we hope you will enjoy every minute of your visit. But some of the very features which make this high country so attractive may cause problems unless you recognize and know how to prevent them. As you go higher, barometric pressure decreases, the air is thinner and less oxygen is available. It’s also colder and drier, and the ultraviolet rays from the sun are stronger. Each of these changes may have unpleasant effects on your body. Here are some tips on how to make sure you're making the best of your time in Snowbird and staying healthy at the same time.

In these critical times, achieving effective results demands a paradigm shift that can only be realized with exposure to new thoughts and ideas. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference will help you discover and implement ideas that deliver results. It will train your mind to search for innovative solutions. It will provide opportunities to make valuable connections with other association professionals and suppliers who have solutions you need. And, it will prepare you for the long road ahead.

Below is some helpful information to show the value of attending the Annual Conference

General Tips

Many travel budgets and training budgets have been slashed, and some agencies and organizations are experiencing severe financial problems. Which means that regardless of the merits of a conference, you’ll probably need to justify the expense - so here are some things you might want to consider:

• Focus on what you will specifically bring back to the organization as return for the investment.
• Offer to prepare and deliver a short presentation and Q&A to your colleagues to share what you learned. This way others in your unit can also benefit from your attendance.
• Share the syllabus and speaker handouts with your colleagues. As an attendee, you have unlimited access to materials posted by speakers.
• Be ready with a plan that shows who will cover for you while you are attending the conference.
• Offer to share a room to reduce hotel expenses by finding a roommate on the Share a Room group on the TWS Annual Conference Facebook Group.

How to calculate ROI of the conference

Read this article to understand more about your expenses and benefits of attending TWS Annual Conference

Justification letter for your supervisor

Download a sample letter that you can easily edit to fit your needs

Many of you have attended previous conferences and actively participate with our working groups, but for those of you who are new members or would like to learn more about our working groups, we invite you to attend our New Member Reception, an inaugural event at this year’s Annual Conference.

The New Member Reception will be held Saturday, October 2nd from 7:00 - 8:00 pm in the Golden Cliff room.  This event will give you a chance to meet The Wildlife Society’s Council, Senior Staff and Working Group Leaders in a social environment. Various Working Group Leaders will be in attendance to inform you about membership opportunities.

Greetings, Wildlife Professionals.

We’re writing to invite you to join us for The Wildlife Society’s 17th Annual Conference, to be held in Snowbird, Utah, October 2-6, 2010. The Annual Conference has long been North America’s largest gathering of wildlife professionals. This year’s conference, promises to be one of the most memorable yet - especially given the location.

Snowbird lies nestled in Little Cottonwood Canyon at an elevation of 8,100 feet in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, just 20 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. A renowned ski resort in winter, it offers the rugged year-round beauty of aspen-lined hiking trails, mountain streams, and spectacular peaks that rise beyond 11,000 feet. The views - and the area’s abundant wildlife - reflect the values we all share and work to preserve.

Awards are presented for the Best Student Presentation and Best Student Poster at The Wildlife Society's Annual Conference. Award recipients receive a plaque.  Interested students must submit an application to have their presentation/poster judged.

Deadline for applications: September 1, 2010

There will be a plethora of conference activities aimed at students’ professional development, including events to meet professionals, learn how to find wildlife jobs, and socialize with other students.