PTO National Conference
27/28/29 March 2009
The PTO National Conference 2009 will be held on March 27/28/29 March 2009 in Houston (venue to be confirmed).

A provisional timetable is as follows:

Friday 27th March 6pm til late
Meet and Greet.
PTO social event, a chance to get to know each other and put "names to faces"


Saturday 28th March
10am Meet and Greet

10.30am thru 1pm
Main conference seminar - Key note speakers, PTO staff members and members' presentations.

1-2pm Lunch

2 - 3.30pm
Smaller group seminars (topics to be confirmed)

3.45 - 4.30
State specific/Forum specific groups to meet.
A chance to network with other members from your favorite forums.

4.30pm - 5.15
Conference evaluation and feedback session.

Evening social event to be arranged.


Sunday 29th March
11am - 1.30pm
PTO Goodbye Brunch


We plan to make this a memorable event that will be both informative and fun. We are planning to have speakers and seminars that will address many issues of interest to PTO members, we will be posting more details as and when they become available.

As we anticipate a high demand for places at this event we will be offering tickets on a first come, first served basis.

So......... book this time off work, organise a sitter, put gas in the tank whilst you can STILL afford it and make a note in your diaries:



PTO National Conference
27/28/29 March 2009

i think there should be a scholarship set up for folks cant afford it

Where will this be held at? Hotel or convention center???
Who will be invited to speak?

need more info

Couple of questions, with the majority of us being from out of town & out of state, how do we know where to plan to fly into, I checked and there are more than one place to fly into?

Or if we might want to drive where would be a good place to gage the driving distance?

Also, is there any idea if the conference will be at a hotel where we could just book to stay there?

If not will people actually from that area help out with directing us in the right direction to get to the conference from wherever we are staying?

I am sure I will have tons of more questions but these popped into my mind first!!! Thanks!!! Mrs. Shamrock

We are working on the hotel right now. About the airports. EIther airport in Houston would be ok to fly into. The are we are looking at is about the same driving distance from both airports. We will get back with all of you hopefully soon on the exact location of the hotel. For the record we are looking at hosting it in what they call the "the Gallaria area"

Thanks for all the info. So since I have never been to Houston and I am sure there are others that have the same questions I do, well at least I hope so, is it feasable to say someone could fly in and be able to get around without having to rent a car or would that be something that is very necessary? I hate having to ask all the questions, but thanks anyway for taking the time to answer!

ian looking at the big picture i guess no body is listing to me as i type ???????????????

Hi all what is the latest update??? Is it still on for the galleria area of Houston or did Hurricane Ike change the plans?????? Please let us know as soon as you can so we can make our reservations.

Thanks for all your help!! :thumbsup:

I am waiting to hear back from the venue, but I think they may be having issues to do with Hurricane Ike.

We will let you know as soon as we know.

woohoo I live in Houston! I can't wait to see you guys! :) and its a week after my birthday!

Already have this marked on the calendar. can't wait.....

i guess nobody was listing to me there some sore scholarship funding that folks can go who are a fixed income an would love to come ill keep on praying about :thumbsup:

I live in the Houston area...have for 38yrs now. To answer the question about flying into Houston and being able to migrate around without renting a car. Well yes, you can take public transportation, you can get a taxi. I personally reccomend renting a car. But there are other options available.

As CLC said, there is indeed public transportation, as well as airport shuttles to and from many of the major hotels and both airports. The Galleria area has extensive nightlife and shopping opportunities as well. Heck, you can even go ice skating INSIDE the Galleria.

OH WOW...this would be really interesting to me...ANNNNNNNNNNNND I still have a LOT of fam in the Houston area!!!! I could turn this into a week long visit and MAYBE talk someone into letting me se emy uncle :D

great idea what about trying to webcast the conference so those he can't attend can watch on line?????

i guess nobody was listing to me there some sore scholarship funding that folks can go who are a fixed income an would love to come ill keep on praying about :thumbsup:


Hi there I don't think anyone was intentionally ignoring you maybe just didn't have an answer to your question.No matter how much I am sure David (Fed-X) would like to be able to make it so everyone who wanted could attend there is no type of money to see to that.PTO staff are all volunteers and PTO is paid for by donations and by David himself.

I'd love to attend as well but it just isn't possible for me financially.

Houston is a LARGE place, and there are TONS to see and do. As if you wouldnt be tied up with the PTO conference the entire time here; Houston has the space center, and the zoo, and the arts district, and oh MY the antiqueing you can do here!!! Nevermind rice village and the richmond /westheimer area!! The Galleria has a HUGE shopping mall it will take about 2 days to get through completely! Yall are going to LOVE it here!! IM SO EXCITED!!!

I will do my best to attend this... but would need as much notice as possible.

i wanna gooooooooooooooo i hope i can get off WORK!!! :) :) never been to houston!

Hope some information can be firmed up pretty soon, so folks can get good airline rates. I've found it's only about $400 right now, round trip, from Oregon to Houston!! That's very reasonable. Zelda

I would be interested... Have a loved one, not really blood related, but loved just as well, who lives there. My cousin just got transferred to Ellis Unit in Huntsville, too. Maybe I could go and visit him too. Hmmm...

I'm here in Houston and live approximately 8 minutes from "The Galleria Area". A lot of places are re-opening and reconstructing since the Hurricane, so there really shouldn't be too hard of a time finding a venue. Can't wait for the conference. If you have any more "regional" questions...I'll keep coming through to check and answer.

I would love to come and meet you all, but as I am in the UK it is not really feasible, unless, we turn it into a business vacation ::grin::

This is the first I've seen about this. I am also in Houston, so that makes it convenient for me. And, totally agree with clcmm...there's is tons to do in Houston. She didn't even scratch the surface with what she mentioned. Also, we've recovered nicely from the hurricane. The coastal areas are still in very bad shape, but H-town is doing ok. Welcome one and all!!! I'm looking forward to more details.

Got my plane ticket - now just need some DETAILS.

I would love to attend. I live in Beaumont, which is only 90 miles west of Houston. So the more information that I can get the better. I will be there but I need to know where, so I can get a Hotel reservation. Sounds like a great time.

I am not a tax accountant but just someone who is very knowledgeable on tax laws so I plan to make this a "business trip". We can talk more offline about the how to's to make this happen. If you want to know more, send me a PM.

I would love to come and meet you all, but as I am in the UK it is not really feasible, unless, we turn it into a business vacation ::grin::

We are working on the hotel right now. About the airports. EIther airport in Houston would be ok to fly into. The are we are looking at is about the same driving distance from both airports. We will get back with all of you hopefully soon on the exact location of the hotel. For the record we are looking at hosting it in what they call the "the Gallaria area"


Galleria area very familiar with that area. I stay in Spring about 45 minutes away and Im near bush intercontinental airport. please give me information as soon as you recieve it. thanks!

Is there a cost to attend the conference?

Yes, there will be a $10 charge.

Please see this thread for all information and updates.

http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375837

Thanks.