Midwinter Seminar & Conference Loews Ventana Canyon Resort Tucson, Arizona March 4-7, 2008

Dear Colleague:

The 2008 Midwinter Seminar & Conference of the Workers’ Compensation Committee will be held at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona from Tuesday, March 4 through Friday, March 7. Once again, the Workers' Compensation Committee Midwinter Seminar & Conference will be held in conjunction with the Midwinter Seminar & Conference of the Occupational Safety and Health Law Committee. Your registration fee will enable you to attend sessions of either or both Committees as time allows. Although the meeting begins Wednesday morning, the fun begins Tuesday, March 4, with a Welcome Reception, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. for both Committees at the resort.

The meeting will begin on Wednesday morning, followed by a joint Workers’ Compensation/OSH Law Committee reception in the evening. In addition, we invite all registered spouses and guests to attend the Guest Breakfast on Wednesday, from 9:00–11:00 a.m. We have also arranged for a networking reception on Thursday evening.

We will have a continental breakfast on Wednesday morning followed by three days of programs designed to be both an educational and enjoyable experience for all Workers’ Compensation practitioners and others who are involved in the Workers’ Compensation system in any capacity. A highlight of the program will be a joint panel discussion, sponsored by the Workers’ Compensation Committee and the Occupational Safety and Health Law Committee, entitled “ How Work Injuries and Fatalities Involving OSHA Citations Have the Potential to Turn into Civil Liability Tort Claims Against Employers under Various State Labor Acts.”

The program will include topics ranging from “Return to Work Programs” to “Innovative Employer/Carrier Third Party Subrogation Programs” and from “A Concentrated Look at the Medical Science of Closed Head Injuries” to “Hot New Technology Tools for all Participants in Workers Compensation Cases.”

We have negotiated a special group rate at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort of $267 plus taxes for single or double occupancy rooms. To reserve your room, call the hotel directly at 520-299-2020 or 800-234-5117. To receive the group rate, reference the “ABA OSHA and Workers’ Compensation Committee Midwinter Seminar & Conference .” The group rate will be honored until February 4, 2008 or until the room block is exhausted. You must cancel your reservation 48 hours prior to your scheduled arrival date to avoid a one-night cancellation charge. Rooms will be available for check-in no later than 3:00 pm, with a checkout time of 12:00 pm.

A block of rooms also has been reserved at the Embassy Suites Hotel, which is located a short distance from the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, for $189. Meeting registrants who wish to reserve a room at this property may do so by calling 520-352-4000, or 1-800-362-2779 and referencing the "ABA Section of Labor & Employment Law 2008 OSHA Meeting."  Please note that the room block will expire on January 21, 2008.

The registration fee for the 2008 Midwinter Seminar & Conference is $325 for Section of Labor & Employment Law members, $375 for non-members, $225 for government agency attendees, and $175 for guests. The fees cover your meeting materials and your attendance at all committee meetings and social functions.

Complete online registration by visiting www.abanet.org/labor/calendar.html. You may also register by completing the registration form and returning it with your payment with appropriate fees to Chrishelle Thomas, Meetings Registrar, Section of Labor and Employment Law, American Bar Association, 321 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60610 by February 15, 2008. Refunds, less a $50 administrative fee, will be made on registration cancellations received in writing before February 15, 2008.

The ABA has contracted with American Airlines to provide discounted and zone fares. Information on airfare discounts is available at www.abanet.org/travel.

The Loews Ventana Canyon is located approximately 25 minutes from the Tucson International Airport (TUC). Group rates have been negotiated with Hertz for our meeting. Call Hertz at 800/654-2240 and mention CV# 026W0011 for details.

Required sponsor documentation will be forwarded to and credit requested from MCLE states with general requirements for all lawyers. Each state determines the number of hours to be credited for attendance. Uniform Certificates of Attendance will be available at the meeting.

Should you have any questions while making your arrangements, please contact the Section office at 312/988-5523 or laborempllaw@staff.abanet.org.

We look forward to seeing you in Tucson.