We ARE Listening! And we have. Many of you indicated that you wanted a more consolidated program - two days rather than three. Others said that you wanted
more time to socialize with your friends and colleagues. To accommodate both groups, we've changed the schedule around - bringing the conference together in a two
and a half day program and adding time at the beginning for some fun social activities.
Seattle's such a wonderful place, and we have so many people coming from afar, that we want to give you time to see the city. While the official convention program
doesn't begin until Thursday evening, we have an expanded program that will begin on Wednesday evening.
Plan as you might, unless you live in the area, and you want to attend one of the outstanding pre-convention programs (details to be announce soon), you will need to
arrive in Seattle on Wednesday. So let the fun begin on Wednesday!
Fly into SeaTac (Seattle) Airport and grab an ILA Shuttle (see Transportation Page) to the Ferry Dock where we are planning to have a
secure drop-off point for your luggage. Spend the day exploring the wonderful shops and sights of Seattle alone, or arrange to meet your friends along the way. In the
evening, join us for a great social dinner at one of the outstanding restaurants before we all board the Bremerton Ferry for an evening cruise on the Puget Sound. Hopefully
it will be a clear night so we can see Mt. Wilson in the distance. We will provide you with your registration materials while on the ferry.
 Thursday will be a day of choice. We will have full day and half-day excursions to Seattle, trips to the Naval Museum and tours of the USS Turner Joy (a Viet Nam era
destroyer), or visit one of the art galleries in the area. In the afternoon we are planning a number of pre-convention programs which will be announced as they are
finalized. The choice will be yours - but we're planning for both a fun and educational day!
The official start of the ILA's 33rd Annual Convention will take place on Thursday evening with a kick-off reception at the beautiful Kitsap Conference Center at Bremerton
Harborside followed by two full days of programs and meetings. There will be plenty of time to meet and socialize with your ILA friends and colleagues throughout so come and
enjoy.
Saturday night we will conclude the convention with our Awards Dinner so that on Sunday morning we can catch the ferry back to Seattle and head back home.
Partner/Spouse Program: Having our convention in a place so rich in history and things to do, it would be a shame for you to leave your partner or spouse at home. We
are planning a number of excursions so that while you attend the ILA programs, your spouse or partner can enjoy the Great Pacific Northwest. This year, don't leave home without
your spouse or partner. (Details and costs of the spouse/partner program will be announced shortly.)
This is an exciting venue and we are looking forward to a warm, friendly and highly stimulating convention. See you in Seattle!
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