[February 23, 2001] -- The 2001 National Conference Steering Committee has decided to pursue a venue in Central New Jersey in the interest of controlling expense. The high New York City facility expenses and the decreasing travel budgets available to members were factors facing the planners. The committee ceased contract negotiations with the New York City hotel this week when both sides agreed, basically, to disagree. Covering the high facility cost by increasing the registration fee was rejected when the committee considered the other half of the equation -- that 4A members in every business unit are facing very limited travel budgets. Holding the 2001 conference at a Central New Jersey area would allow the many area members to commute and avoid lodging expenses.

For members who would otherwise not be able to attend in person, the committee is investigating whether technologies such as webcasting can be employed for select portions of the conference program.