Federation of Tax Administrators
444 North Capitol Street, N.W., #348, Washington, D.C. 20001
Ph. (202) 624-5890/Fax (202) 624-7888
http://www.taxadmin.org

May 27, 2002

To: FTA Technology Conference Speaker Participant

I would like to thank you again for working with the Federation of Tax Administrators on our 18th Annual Conference and Exhibit. We again expect to have some interesting sessions in Louisville August 11-14, and we appreciate your willingness to participate.

The Preliminary Program, as well as a Conference Registration form, hotel data, local transportation, and other logistical information, is posted on the FTA Web site at www.taxadmin.org. Please review the Program. There may be further changes as we go forward, so you may wish to check the site regularly.

Program Questions

If you will not be able to join us, or if another representative will be speaking in your place, please let me know as soon as possible.

Please address any program questions you have to me at jonathan.lyon@taxadmin.org or on 202-624-5894.

Jonathan R. Lyon, FTA

 


Demographics

Some further information on the meeting:

In general, our attendance ranges from 400-425, involving 35-40 state tax and revenue and other state-level administrations, IRS and other federal, some international, and a variety of other government agencies. Around 60-70% are state level, up to 10-20% federal, and 20% private sector. We get a range of government personnel including many information systems, some audit, taxpayer service, executive management, and a number of other functions. Many of the attendees are responsible for researching and implementing new applications and are highly interested in comparative data (to measure their own state's progress against others) and in new technology applications addressing common needs.

Reminder

As a reminder, industry speakers must refrain from engaging in promotion of their company or company-specific solutions during speaking opportunities - please review the Guidelines for Industry Participation information supplied below and use the Exhibit Hall for this!

Registering for the Conference

Since we do not have all of the information necessary for you, FTA does not automatically register you for the Conference. You will soon be able to register on-line at www.taxadmin.org (the FTA Home Page). You may also fax a registration to us at 202-624-7888. Please contact Pat Wehland at < pat.wehland@taxadmin.org> (202-624-8441) with questions.

In order to maintain continued reasonable fees for all, and to cover Association meeting costs, FTA asks that speakers planning to attend the Sunday August 11th through Wednesday August 14th Conference sessions (including the functions) register and pay the registration fee. We appreciate your cooperation.

However, if you are only joining us to present on the day of your remarks, and will not be attending the bulk of the Conference, please contact me and we can make alternate arrangements such as a complimentary registration.

Logistics

Darrell Reeves is also available to answer questions relating to shipping, audio-visual, or other meeting logistics matters. NOTE: There will be an overhead projector and screen in every meeting room, so you need only contact us of you require additional equipment such as a slide projector or PC projection device.

Exhibits

If you are showing products and services in the Exhibit Hall, FTA can assist with those matters (202-624-5892). I look forward to your participation and to talking with you as we progress. Thanks again,

Jonathan R. Lyon, FTA
jonathan.lyon@taxadmin.org


Important Dates

Listed below is a checklist of important dates to remember. In order for us to effectively organize the event we ask that you add these to your personal calendar and meet each deadline. Thank you!

CHECKLIST OF IMPORTANT DATES

à Register for Conference July 22, 2002

à A/V Request Deadline July 22, 2002

à Speaker Paper Deadline (if to be copied by FTA) July 29, 2002


Presentation Information

When creating your foils or slides, please keep the following points in mind:

1. Slides with light backgrounds copy well; dark backgrounds copy poorly.

2. Use of fills is OK; however, avoid heavy solid fills, as they become muddy and lose clarity when duplicated.

3. Reversed (white) text on a black background can be used sparingly when the text is large enough to be clearly visible. Text should be at least 14 points large, and preferably 18 points or above, in size.

4. Text copy should be large enough to be easily readable. Lots of text on slides make them difficult to read. Small type is useful only as a graphic effect when readability is not desired.

5. Bold graphics will make your presentation more interesting.

PRESENTATION TIMES

Other than the opening plenary session, your remarks -- including questions and answers -- are to be either 45 or 60 minutes in length. This will generally be followed by a 15-minute break to allow for movement between sessions and set-up for the next presentation. Please observe this timeline. Each individual speaking alone has the full 45 minutes.

For a panel-type presentation the amount of time each participant should take shall be equally apportioned, permitting adequate time at the end for questions. Please conclude on time and permit the following speaker(s) to set up so that the start of the next session is not delayed.

PRESENTATION PAPERS

If you plan to deliver a hard copy or computer file of your presentation to FTA for copying, please arrange for it by July 22, 2002. FTA prefers to receive a Powerpoint or Word file if possible. As an FTA Conference speaker you agree to permit FTA to re-publish your presentation as a read-only file on our Web site for a 180-day period following the Conference.

If you are planning to make copies and bring them to Louisville, please make 125 copies, and ship them, to arrive no earlier than August 9, to:

Hold For Guest <your name>
C/O FTA Technology Conference August 11-14, 2002
Hyatt Regency Hotel
320 West Jefferson
Louisville, KY 40202


Guidelines for Industry Participation

For the benefit of private sector FTA Technology Conference participants and our government members, the following guidelines are provided. FTA requests your cooperation in observing these in order to assure that the Conference runs smoothly.

PRESENTATIONS

Industry presenters are advised that contributed remarks are designed to be "state of the art" briefings, case studies, descriptions of generic technology processes, and the like. Company or product-specific "marketing" oriented presentations are not permitted. A one-slide/one screen company description may be used at the outset or the conclusion of your remarks, and a discreet company logo/name may be placed in one corner of slides or computer presentation screens.

HOSPITALITY FUNCTIONS

No hospitality suites should be open during Conference hours, including the opening reception. FTA can provide no assistance with industry hospitality functions, which must be arranged directly with the hotel. The preferred times are Monday and Tuesday after 5:00 pm. Two weeks prior to the Conference we can supply a list of pre-registrants.

Marketing Literature

No marketing literature of any kind shall be distributed in Conference session-presentation meeting rooms.

All marketing literature (other than material distributed in the Exhibit Hall or hospitality areas) must be placed in the meeting registration area on FTA Workshop tables that will be arranged for this purpose.

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Disregarding these guidelines will result in your not being asked to participate as a speaker in future FTA functions.

We thank you for your cooperation.


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