A FEW NTP FAQs

Q: Who attends an NTP?
A: Attendees include federal civilian and military top staff, senior management officials and officers, line supervisors, and employees representing a wide variety of occupations including accountants, computer specialists, procurement and acquisition officials, EEO and diversity managers, administrative and clerical specialists, engineers and scientists, park and forest rangers, training specialists, human resource specialists and more. You do not need to be a federal employee to attend the NTP, as many of the course offerings cover a broad range of subjects and do not specifically apply solely to federal employment.

Q: How can I get more information on the NTP?
A: The NTP website www.fewntp.org contains the most up-to-date program information.

Q: What’s new in 2003?
A: Expanded course curriculum, new trainers, all training courses linked to OPM Leadership Competencies, SuperSessions, Leadership and Networking Reception, Trends and Technology Expo: A Showcase for Quality Government, Netwalking, box lunches, FEW Friday, Friday Night Cruise with the National Board, and a whole lot more. Read all about what’s new on our website www.fewntp.org under the Registration in the What's New for FEW in Chicago section.

Q: Where can I obtain a copy of the registration book?
A: A copy of the 2003 NTP Registration Book is available electronically on our website at www.fewntp.org under the Registration Tab. The book is posted in sections in .pdf format and you can download and view on screen, or print out the sections or pages you want. You can request a printed copy by sending an e-mail message to [email protected] and request a book be mailed to you. You will need to provide your complete name, address, phone, fax and email address.

Q: What events are scheduled during NTP week?
A: The Schedule of events is posted on our website www.fewntp.org under the Schedule Tab.

Q: What are Agency Forums?
A: Many Agencies use the days preceding the opening of the NTP (Tuesday evening) to hold meetings. Check with your agency headquarters office to see if meetings for your department or agency are scheduled. A current list of agency forums is posted on our website www.fewntp.org under the Agency Forums Tab.

Q: What is Pre-Conference Training?
A: Pre-Conference classes are scheduled on the two days preceding the opening of the NTP (Tuesday evening). These classes offer an array of workshops not offered during the NTP itself. Tuition for attending these classes varies depending on whether the class is ½-day, 1 full day, or 2 full days. Attendance in Pre-Conference classes is not included in the full NTP Registration fee. A complete list of Pre-Conference course offerings is posted on our website at www.fewntp.org under the Registration Tab in the sections About Pre-Conference Training & Pre-Conference Workshop Descriptions and
Pre-Conference At A Glance

Q: What is included in the full NTP registration fee?
A: Full NTP Registration includes training classes on Wednesday and Thursday, tickets to the opening reception Tuesday evening, the closing leadership and networking reception Thursday evening, lunch on Wednesday and Thursday, entrance to the Expo Hall, a badge and a conference kit. Complete information on the NTP is posted on our website at www.fewntp.org under the Registration Tab, and throughout the NTP website.

Q: What meals are included in the full NTP registration fee?
A: With a full registration you will receive tickets for lunch on Wednesday and Thursday. The opening and closing receptions will include light hors d’oeuvres as a refresher, but are not intended to serve as a meal. On Friday, FEW Members can register for the Member’s Only Brunch.

Q: How can I review a list of NTP classes?
A: A complete list of class titles in the NTP-At-A-Glance is posted on our website at www.fewntp.org under the Registration Tab, in the section NTP At A Glance Complete course descriptions are posted in the section About NTP Training & NTP Workshop Descriptions

Q: Where can I read more about the trainers?
A: Trainer bios and contact information is posted on our website at www.fewntp.org under the Registration Tab, in the section Trainer Biographies

Q: How do I register for the NTP?
A: Complete an NTP Registration Form Registration Instructions & Registration Form, include credit card or payment information, and obtain an approved training form/purchase order if your agency is paying for your registration via training form or purchase order document.

• On-line: www.fewntp.org (available approximately April 7)
• By fax: 330-963-0319
• By mail: FEW 2003 NTP
  PO BOX 71-1822
  Columbus, OH 43271-1822

Q: How much does it cost to attend the NTP?
A: Complete information and a description of costs is posted on our website at www.fewntp.org, under the Registration Tab (scroll down and you will see a table outlining the registration costs).

COST:

		ALL
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS		BY May 15	AFTER May 16
2-DAY (training only)		$375.00	$450.00
1-DAY (training only)		$250.00	$300.00
1/2-DAY (training only)		$125.00	$150.00
	MEMBER		NON-MEMBER
NTP REGISTRATION	BY May 15	AFTER May 16	BY May 15	AFTER May 16
FULL (training and all events)	$425.00	$500.00	$500.00	$600.00
PARTIAL (1-day training, no events, etc.)	$200.00	$225.00	$225.00	$250.00
Chapters, Regions and Members paying for NTP Registration without agency assistance quality for special member tuition rates. Forms will be sent to Chapter Presidents in March. For more information about this special rate, send an email to [email protected]
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS
MEMBERSHIP DUES	$35.00
GUEST PASS (no training, just events, etc.)	$100.00
EXTRA OPENING RECEPTION TICKET	$25.00

Q: I joined FEW last year at the NTP but have not received a membership number/card, or I don’t know my membership number.
A: Please contact Marion Stevens, National Vice President for Membership and Chapter Organization via e-mail at [email protected] .

Q: How do I join FEW?
A: If you are attending the NTP, you can join FEW by checking Box #20 (FEW Membership Dues) on the NTP Registration Form and include a check for $35.00 with your registration form. If you are not attending the NTP, you can download a membership application from the national FEW website at www.few.org under the Membership Tab, and submit a completed application and check or credit card to the address on the form.

Q: I am a FEW member and plan on attending, but my agency is not funding my attendance. Is there a special registration rate for FEW members paying tuition “out of pocket”?
A: Contact your local chapter president for the special Tuition-Out-of-Pocket (TOP) registration form and details. If you are a member-at-large, call the NTP Hotline at 303-825-1177 and leave your name, phone number, fax number and email address and a form will be sent to you.

Q: Will there be childcare provided on-site at the NTP?
A: The NTP will not be providing childcare on-site. However, if you need references of facilities in the Chicago area, please read about American Childcare Services or e-mail a request detailing your needs to [email protected] and a staff member will get back to you with information.

Q: What is the Guest Pass? What does it include?
A: The Guest Pass was developed to address an issue raised by attendees wanting to bring friends, relatives and significant others with them to the NTP. The cost of a guest pass is $100. This pass is intended for guests, not fully registered conference attendees, and includes a name badge, tickets for events (opening reception, closing leadership and networking reception), the Expo Hall, two box lunches, and a conference kit. The Guest Pass does not include admittance to any workshop sessions.

Q: My agency will deduct meal costs from my M&IE. It appears like the Guest Pass covers meals, but can you provide me a breakdown of costs involved in the $100 Guest Pass?
A: Attempting to break down the cost of this pass into equivalent components cannot be done, as per capita costs for the covered items cannot be easily calculated and administrative costs are also included in this total amount. The use of this pass is intended for guests, not fully registered conference attendees, and includes a name badge, tickets for events (opening reception, closing leadership and networking reception), the Exposition hall, two box lunches, and a conference kit. The Guest Pass does not include admittance to the workshop session

There are only two meals (lunch) provided as part of the full NTP conference registration. Agencies calculating the cost of deductions in per diem for the lunch meals on Wednesday, July 9 and Thursday, July 10, provided as a part of the NTP Full Registration package should use the current 2003 GSA established per diem rate for lunch:

Q: Can my agency include conference administrative costs in an employee's per diem allowance payment for attendance at a conference?
A: General Services Administration - Federal Travel Regulation; Conference Planning, 41 CFR Parts 301-11 and 301-74, Per Sec. 301-74.13, states: “No. Per diem is intended only to reimburse the attendee's subsistence expenses. You must pay conference registration fees separately, either directly or by reimbursing employees who pay such expenses and submit travel claims.”

Q: Which hotel should I choose?
A: The Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers is the NTP headquarters hotel Rates and information about the Sheraton are posted on our website www.fewntp.org under the Hotels Tab. All NTP events will take place at the Sheraton, with the exception of a few Agency Forum sessions being held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago on Monday and Tuesday.

The Hyatt Regency Chicago is the NTP overflow hotel. Rates and information about making reservations at both the Sheraton and the Hyatt are posted on our website www.fewntp.org under the Hotels Tab.

Q: What are the hotel rates?
A: For the 2003 NTP, FEW negotiated a single/double room rate of $159 plus applicable taxes. This rate is 2.5% ($4.00) over the FY-2003 GSA established government per diem rate for lodging. Rates for triple and quad occupancy are different at the Sheraton and the Hyatt and specific information about these rates is posted under the Hotels Tab on our website www.fewntp.org

Both hotels are located within 2 blocks of each other and offer outstanding accommodations.

Q: Why do the NTP hotel rates exceed government per diem rates?
A: Many hotels do not offer rates that exactly equal prevailing government per diem rates for conferences. FEW was able to negotiate a single/double rate at both of its hotels that is only 2.5% ($4.00) over the GSA established per diem rate for lodging in Chicago.

In 2000, the General Services Administration (GSA) amended the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) governing conference planning. For the purpose of this regulation, a conference is defined as "a meeting, retreat, seminar, symposium or event that involves attendee travel." Because conferences have different requirements than routine temporary duty travel, GSA is providing specific guidance. The new regulation provides a conference lodging allowance of up to 25 percent greater than the applicable locality-lodging portion of the per diem rate. Under this reimbursement method, employees may be reimbursed the actual amount incurred for lodging up to the conference lodging allowance.

For a non-Government sponsored conference like the NTP, the travel approving official of a Government employee may authorize the employee to be reimbursed for lodging expenses incurred up to the conference lodging allowance rate. The new regulation allows for the decision to be made on a case-by-case basis and does not require approval at the agency level.

The full text of the regulation is available at: https://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov

Q: I’d like to share a hotel room. Does FEW handle requests for room sharing?
A: No. FEW does not get involved in making arrangements for room sharing. If you are a FEW member and are looking to conserve on lodging expenses, check with your Chapter President or Regional Manager who may know of other members who are looking to share rooms.

Q: Is shuttle service provided by FEW from the Chicago airports to the hotels?
A: No. Complete information on ground transportation is posted on our website at www.fewntp.org under the Registration Tab, in the section Hotel, Airport & Ground Transportation

Q: Is parking available at the hotels?
A: Yes, but parking in Chicago is limited and expensive. Check with the hotel directly for daily rates. Unless you are familiar with the Chicago area, it is recommended that you use public transportation (taxi, the “L”, buses, etc.)

Q: What is the Cancellation Policy on Registration?
A:: All cancellations must:

• be made in writing,
• be submitted via fax 330.963.0319 or mail FEW 2003 NTP, PO BOX 71-1822, Columbus, OH 43271-1822, and
• be received by June 1, 2003.