Please feel free to post any questions you may have in this thread.

We will endeavour to answer any queries as soon as possible.

Rachel
Admin

Q: Why is the conference venue not the same as the hotel which is recommended for accommodation?

A: There is a very simple answer to this. The conference venue does not have such reasonable room rates as the hotel we recommend. The venue is also a little further away from the facilities at The Galleria. It was felt that a more suitable place could be found in a more convenient location with better facilities.

Q: What can be found at The Galleria?

A: Information about The Galleria can be found here: The Galleria (http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=805)

Q: Do you have an agenda yet, or an approximate idea of what kinds of meetings or sessions will be included at the conference?

Hi LadyA....did I read that right, there are only going to be 150 allowed to participate??

Thanks for getting us the info....sounds like a great time!

Q: Do you have an agenda yet, or an approximate idea of what kinds of meetings or sessions will be included at the conference?

A: We are still working on this, it looks like we will have a couple of keynote speakers and then the opportunity to divide into smaller more specific groups for a session in the afternoon.
We will let you know the details once we confirm our guests.

Hi LadyA....did I read that right, there are only going to be 150 allowed to participate??

Thanks for getting us the info....sounds like a great time!

A: Yes, we have an upper limit of 150 attendees.


It should be a simply wonderful time!!

I'm assuming the $10.00 ticket fee listed does not include any meals? (As I recall, there is a brunch or something - and a reception.)

I'm assuming the $10.00 ticket fee listed does not include any meals? (As I recall, there is a brunch or something - and a reception.)

A: No, this does not include meals. We explored the costs of catering options and decided that it was just not viable to provide food and drink whilst keeping the ticket price low.
Any reception or brunch will be held at a local restaurant and, as is the norm for G2G's, people will pick up their own tabs!!
We felt it was important to keep the conference costs as low as possible as most of us have limited resources.

Are yall planning to have any former inmates to speak at the conference?

I believe that is part of the agenda - we will have a full list of speakers available as soon as all booking details are finalized.

Q: So am I reading this correctly? There's really no set agendas until everything is booked up then the agendas will be announced?
I'd really like to go.I'm really curious what will be discussed and how informative it would be to me. before I pay for anything or make plans to travel.

A:

At the moment we are finalising the speakers.
We don't want to say someone will be speaking if we have not had confirmation.

There will speakers that will cover a wide range of prison related topics.

As soon as we get some more details we will be letting everyone know.

Rachel

I am excited to see updates on the conference. I know it will be very informative and supportive to be around individuals who are walking in my shoes and experiencing similar experiences. I love to be a part of anything that will help to strenghthen and grow my relationship with my husband. He is gonna love to see the pictures and hear about the Conference.

Hey Rach, Have y'all gotten anything on hotel deals yet? Or is there going to be any?

A: I have to be honest, I need to chase up the Holiday Inn again. They responded to me intially and then have not followed it up.
Thanks for the reminder, I will mail them again today!!

Sounds like an interesting get together. Have family in Houston, so would like to attend as schedule permits.

i read that you will recieve a ticket via email. Will we be notified if the 150 was already met via email and will we get the money back? i did send an money order off a little over 2 weeks ago and have been checking my email and nothing? so i was just wondering. thanks

Hi Nubian Princess,
At the moment we have plenty of tickets left.
We don't expect it will get busy til after Xmas.
Let me check that your m.o. was received and I will PM you when I find it.

Rachel xx

Are there any plans (or can you add them) to record the speakers to sell to those of us on PTO who cannot attend?

If I am not mistaken we are in discussions with having parts available online to be viewed live.

At this time we don't have plans to record and sale though as we don't have the means to be able to do this

im new to all of this can i get a heads up on what i can do or conferences i can go to

Yes, you can attend this conference, all information is located in this forum: PTO National Conference - March 2009 (http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=1375)

i participated in the design the logo and it said there will be pto merchandise however i can not attend the conference is there another way to get pto merchandise online?

At this time no, however we may have some within the future.

I noticed in the other thread that Holiday Inn is not allowing you to reserve a bloc of rooms at reduced rate. Maybe you should tell them it's for a wedding!! LOL!

Will there be a speaker regarding medical issues there?

At this time no we have noone scheduled that will speak to medical issues in prison

Just as an FYI, I reserved a room at the suggested hotel and used the AAA rate and it was $90/night. Not too bad for Houston!

I am currently away on vacation, but will be back in a few days.

There will be some updates then!!

Rach xx

I am currently away on vacation, but will be back in a few days.

There will be some updates then!!

Rach xx

Thanks Rachel, I will be looking forward to your return and the updates.
:thumbsup:

Hey, Lady Arkles...

I sent an email request for one ticket on 12/27/2008. Here were the details. Please let me know if there are any tickets remaining.


From: ME (Info Altered to Conceal Contact Info)
Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2008 12:13 AM
To: conference@prisontalk.com
Subject: Registering for the 2009 Conference

Send an email containing:
Number of tickets that you require. You will be invoiced by PayPal for $10 for each ticket you request. ONE TICKET
Your first and last name. (Please note: if ordering more than one ticket please include all names) R***** E*******
Your PTO username(s): JG’s BABY GIRL
The email address to which you wish your ticket to be sent. OR The mailing address to which you wish your ticket to be mailed. PLEASE EMAIL TO THE*******@MSN.COM (THE*******@MSN.COM) (Email address altered to block contact info)
Any special requirements you may have (e.g wheelchair access needed) : N/A

I'm including info (with alterations here) so you can easily identify the email if you see it in your inbox.

Thanks.

JG's Baby Girl,
Ladyarkles is on vacation untill later this week, Am sure she will get to you as soon as you get back.

Will see you at the conference!

Lady A,
I am wondering if there is any space lft in the conference...I really would like to attend and need to know how to send payment if i do not own a credit card. also would like to know what is done at the conference

Is the plan to make noise that we can hear in AUSTIN? Are we taking our needs to the higher ups in Congress? If so, we might want to utilize some time that Friday to have some (pre?) elected officials lobby with our families, friends, frustrations and questions. They start to draft new Bills for us soon. (They need to fund 2nd chance act I hear so that we can get more re-entry programs, and resources (like this site) funded and our loved ones can come back home to jobs, support, and basic needs.

I guess now-a-days people realize that it takes change to make change so everyone just wants to know if it will be worth it!

My heart says yes! Can I help plan? Can I volunteer some of my time (You know I've got a whole lot of that in the free world)!:thumbsup:

robswife4life:

The following is our conference agenda: Conference - Schedule of Events - Saturday, 28th March 2009 (http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=383748)


WE do have tickets available, and you can mail off for you ticket at:

By money order/check via mail.


Send a letter detailing:

Number of tickets that you require. You will need to enclose $10 for each ticket you request.
A check or money order made payable to: Prisontalk.com for $10 per ticket
Your first and last name. (Please note: if ordering more than one ticket please include all names)
Your PTO username(s)
The email address to which you wish your ticket to be sent. OR The mailing address to which you wish your ticket to be mailed. Please note that mail-in requests may take up to two weeks to be processed.
Any special requirements you may have (e.g wheelchair access needed)
Mail to:
Conference 2009
PrisonTalk.com
P.O. Box 644
Sugar Land, TX. 77487-0644

Is the plan to make noise that we can hear in AUSTIN? Are we taking our needs to the higher ups in Congress?If so, we might want to utilize some time that Friday to have some (pre?) elected officials lobby with our families, friends, frustrations and questions. They start to draft new Bills for us soon. (They need to fund 2nd chance act I hear so that we can get more re-entry programs, and resources (like this site) funded and our loved ones can come back home to jobs, support, and basic needs.

I guess now-a-days people realize that it takes change to make change so everyone just wants to know if it will be worth it!

My heart says yes! Can I help plan? Can I volunteer some of my time (You know I've got a whole lot of that in the free world)?

The plan will be to empower you to go and make a change. As we are a World Wide site, with members attending globally it will be difficult to focus only on one state.

But we have speakers, who will inform you on the happenings, etc. if you will.

You are absolutely right, it takes change to make change. And we hope to empower you to make that change!

Great Agenda!.... what about kids: will there be anything for them to do? Is there childcare onsite at the conference? If not its okay because my FAM in Htown but I am wondering if it may be a setback for others?

Also Beaumont is about 1.5 hrs away but there is a free place to stay there if the room is an issue. I drove back and forth many times from beaumont to houston and it is not that bad a distance or on gas especially if you carpool.

I would like to attend but would not be staying at a hotel, I live more than an hour away and would maybe get there around 10, due to making arrangements for my grandkids to be taken for the day. I would be able to attend until late afternoon.Think it will be ok?

What evertime you would like to come would be perfectly fine!! Doors are open to all that want to attend and when they can.... :)

How do we sign up for the conference?

rachel,

I know you are on vacation but wanted to know if you recieved my money order?
I also wanted to know if I dont get an email (just in case) will you still be able to come and the names will be on there?
Thanks again and have a wonderful day. I hope you enjoyed your vacation

Hi Nubian,

Yes, we received your request and your e-ticket went out today.

We will have a full list of who has booked available to us on the day, so don't worry if you misplace your ticket.

Sorry for the delay; we are getting busy with bookings now, but you are definitely confirmed and paid for!!

Rachel

Hi there,
Your payment has been received and your ticket has been sent!!

Rachel

Hey, Lady Arkles...

I sent an email request for one ticket on 12/27/2008. Here were the details. Please let me know if there are any tickets remaining.


From: ME (Info Altered to Conceal Contact Info)
Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2008 12:13 AM
To: conference@prisontalk.com
Subject: Registering for the 2009 Conference

Send an email containing:
Number of tickets that you require. You will be invoiced by PayPal for $10 for each ticket you request.ONE TICKET
Your first and last name. (Please note: if ordering more than one ticket please include all names)R***** E*******
Your PTO username(s): JG’s BABY GIRL
The email address to which you wish your ticket to be sent. OR The mailing address to which you wish your ticket to be mailed. PLEASE EMAIL TO THE*******@MSN.COM (THE*******@MSN.COM) (Email address altered to block contact info)
Any special requirements you may have (e.g wheelchair access needed) : N/A

I'm including info (with alterations here) so you can easily identify the email if you see it in your inbox.

Thanks.

Great Agenda!.... what about kids: will there be anything for them to do? Is there childcare onsite at the conference? If not its okay because my FAM in Htown but I am wondering if it may be a setback for others?

Also Beaumont is about 1.5 hrs away but there is a free place to stay there if the room is an issue. I drove back and forth many times from beaumont to houston and it is not that bad a distance or on gas especially if you carpool.

Hi there,

We have made no arrangements for childcare at this venue.
To be honest, the cost and insurance liabilities are too high to even begin to start offering this service.
Sorry if that is inconvenient for any members!

Also, thanks for the offer of accomodation & carpooling.
Don't forget to post/check in the appropriate threads for others requesting/offering rides or rooms.

Conference Share-a-Ride Thread (http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375913)

Conference Share-a-Room Thread (http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375914)

Rachel

I would like to attend but would not be staying at a hotel, I live more than an hour away and would maybe get there around 10, due to making arrangements for my grandkids to be taken for the day. I would be able to attend until late afternoon.Think it will be ok?

Please PM me about your availability to attend.

Thanks,

Rachel

Where exactly is the conference going to be held, if it's not going to be at the Holiday Inn near the Galleria. In all of the posts, i have not been able to determine where we are going to meet. thank you.

Sorry for any confusion.

The conference is going to be held at the Marriott West Loop, near the Galleria (http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/houwl-houston-marriott-west-loop-by-the-galleria/)- Houston.

We had already stated the venue in our information thread, but you have just given me a timely reminder to make this information more prominent.

Thankyou.

Rachel

Thank you Rachel!

Hi Rachel, Have you gotten any information on Hotel deals?

P.S. I like the name change:D

Yup, Holiday Inn have not offered us any discounts.

But the earlier you book the cheaper the rooms are!!

Not sure about the name change just yet, but it is all in aid of clearer communication throughout PTO. :thumbsup:

Rach xx

Can I get a free ticket, a ride from N. E. Oklahoma, free lodging and food for the event? ... Thanks! ... I'll be on the porch. Oh! Of course, I'll need drinks too!

LOL, Sure, Which part of the porch would you like? ;)

Rachel, I meant, I would be waiting for the ride, from my porch. ... lol! ... You slay me!

Yup, Holiday Inn have not offered us any discounts.

But the earlier you book the cheaper the rooms are!!

Not sure about the name change just yet, but it is all in aid of clearer communication throughout PTO. :thumbsup:

Rach xx

There are about a million Holiday Inn's in Houston:D Do you know which one that most people are booking into? I would like to be at one with other PTO family members. Maybe we could ask about which Holiday Inn people have booked for the people that have already made reservations.:thumbsup:

We linked to the hotel we will be staying at in the main accomodations thread

You might all be surprised, that I am really a nice guy! Better looking than David, even! ... lol!

I am looking forward to meeting everyone at the conference

Oh, bye the way! Hi Ray! ...

How do we sign up for the conference?

Please see this thread for booking information:

How to book a ticket (http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=376659)

I live in Houston and would love to be apart of this..Unfortunately I will be out of town Friday and Saturday...but have invited some ladies from my thread to join me for a Bar B Que Sunday Evening after the conference is done!! Is there a way to contact the founder of PTO...I know that he already knows this...but this site is truly divine and is of God!!! I pray an extra blessing on the founders. moderators, administrators, research assistants and everyone else... How can I do more to help!! I haven't searched this site enough to know, but I would like to be a permanent contributor to this cause...My husband will be coming home this month and we want to financially bless this effort..How do I get more info on the inner workings of PTO?

This is truly a wonderful place. If you would like to leave David (Founder of PTO) a message you can go to his profile page and leave him a message there. Here is the link to it.

Davids Profile (http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/member.php?u=1)

On behalf of the whole staff I thank you for the blessings. I personally feel that it is a blessing to be able to help the other members(PTO Family). As far as what else you can do, just keep doing what you are doing and don't forget about us when your husband gets home. I'm sure that you wont. But i surely know that you will enjoy having him back. I will send out prayers to you and your family. Thanks again.

KK

K, thank you for David's info and your prayers :) I most certainly won't forget about PTO when honey gets home. Its' because of PTO that I have been able to hold on this past year.....I was so lonely and depressed and was literally searching for some emotional support and there you guys were !! Waiting on me!!! The ladies on the MW thread are the best:) Of course I'm sure every group thinks the same!!!

How can I donate... Although me and my husband have found ourselves in this situation due to his lifestyle of over 13 years ago...we are well able to support this cause..He has agreed that because you have blessed my life while he's been away, that we want to do whatever we can to partner in helping someone else's life.

Side note...We are pastors of a church here in Houston and because of our testimony would love to support you as apart of our missions and outreach..We give to alot of causes, but this has blessed me in more ways than one....We just want to help in anyway we can.....Thanks again :)

Please feel free to post any questions you may have in this thread.
We will endeavour to answer any queries as soon as possible.
Rachel
Admin

Rachel,
Will the live Video Stream on Conference Day (Saturday, 3/28/09) be available to all members?
It would be the next best thing to being there!
http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=383748 (http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=383748)

K, thank you for David's info and your prayers :) I most certainly won't forget about PTO when honey gets home. Its' because of PTO that I have been able to hold on this past year.....I was so lonely and depressed and was literally searching for some emotional support and there you guys were !! Waiting on me!!! The ladies on the MW thread are the best:) Of course I'm sure every group thinks the same!!!

How can I donate... Although me and my husband have found ourselves in this situation due to his lifestyle of over 13 years ago...we are well able to support this cause..He has agreed that because you have blessed my life while he's been away, that we want to do whatever we can to partner in helping someone else's life.

Side note...We are pastors of a church here in Houston and because of our testimony would love to support you as apart of our missions and outreach..We give to alot of causes, but this has blessed me in more ways than one....We just want to help in anyway we can.....Thanks again :)

You can click on Donations at the top of the page for information. :thumbsup:

Thanks,
Patty

To answer the question about the LiveStream:
We are working to get this set up as soon as possible, and are currently working on improving the audio/video quality, buffering and other technical issues.

We will post the link nearer the date!

And yes, it will be available to all.

Rachel

Any updates on where and when the social gatherings will take place?

Please feel free to post any questions you may have in this thread.

We will endeavour to answer any queries as soon as possible.

Rachel
Admin

Hi,
I am planning on being there. I saw a few days ago that you were asking if we were going to attend the dinner Saturday night you would like to know so that you could get a count. I can't seem to find that post now. Who should we RSVP to? Do you know where the dinner is going to be held yet? I am really looking forward to next weekend.

Jewellsguy

Hi Rachel,
I had surgery on Thursday and it was a little more in depth than I was expecting, so I will not be able to make it to the Conference because my surgeon does not want me to. Is there a way a can donate my ticket to someone that needs it?
Thank you.