HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AATF CONVENTION IN
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, JULY 2-5, 2009
Mark July 2-5, 2009 on your calendars! The 82nd annual AATF convention will be held on those dates at the Doubletree Hotel in San Jose, California. We are planning a number of exciting activities as well as the usual excellent professional program.
Academic
Credit
We are again pleased to offer one graduate credit for attending the convention through Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. Click here for requirements and registration information. You may register using the Convention Registration Form, also found in the April 2009 National Bulletin.
Hotel Information
May 30, 2009. Click here to go to the AATF Hotel Registration page.The convention will take place at the San Jose Doubletree Hotel. Room rates are $119 plus tax for single or double rooms, $139 for triple or $159 for quad rooms. Specific information on making reservations will be posted by the end of January. The deadline for reserving a room will be
There are several registration options, and it will be possible to register on-line. The cut off date for pre-registration will be May 30, 2009. After May 30, you will have to register on-site at a significantly higher cost.
In addition, there will be several package options which include just registration, registration plus the Welcome Luncheon and Awards Banquet, registration plus all meals.
Roommate List
We will again provide a roommate list for those wishing to find someone with whom to share a room. We provide the names and contact information for other members requesting the list, and individuals can contact others on the list directly. Please check the appropriate box on the Convention Registration Form.
Travel
San Jose is very accessible. San Jose Airport is served by all major airlines including Southwest Airlines. We encourage you to explore multiple travel options to ensure you get the best deal. Please note that Southwest Airlines is now offering exceptional fares for cross-country travel and does not charge for up to two checked bags. Other airlines may also offer competitive fares. There is a free shuttle from the San Jose Airport to the hotel. Travel to San Francisco-Oakland Airport is also a possibility, but there would be an added cost of shuttle service to San Jose (approximately $50 one-way).
Program Highlights
Dictée
AATF member Marie-Simone Pavlovich, a finalist in Bernard Pivot’s Trophées de la langue française, will organize a dictée for AATF convention-goers. Come try your hand at this very French discipline.
Film Showings
July 2 (evening):
Thanks to support from the French Embassy, we will be able to show this remarkable film which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2008. Inspired by the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by François Bégaudeau, a teacher in a Parisian collège, the film highlights the difficulties encountered by at-risk students.
July 3 (evening):
This Québécois film is based on a fantastical story which takes place in a small village and received nine nominations at the 2008 Jutra Awards for Québécois cinema. We are able to show this film thanks to support from the Ministère des Relations internationales du Québec.
Other Activities
Welcome Luncheon (July 2, 12:00-2:00 p.m.)
The Welcome Luncheon has become a popular feature of our convention. Members can meet for lunch to discuss the keynote speech and to meet others attending from their region. Menu: Caesar salad, Onion and Honey-Crusted Chicken Breast with Wild Mushroom hash, New York Style Cheesecake with strawberries; $45 per person. (Spouses and guests welcome; preregistration required). (Closed)
Exhibit Opening (July 2, 4:00-7:00 p.m.)
Our exhibit hall will open with a wine and cheese reception sponsored jointly by the AATF and the Cultural Service of the French Embassy. Celebrate the ending of the first day of the convention, and see what our exhibitors and sponsors have to offer. Check out the Exhibitor Page on the AATF Web site.
AATF Awards Banquet (July 4, 7:00-10:00 p.m.)
Join us as we honor the achievements of our members during 2009. Menu: Tomato and cheese Napoleon, Porcini chicken breast, Caramel chocolate mousse dome, wine; $68 per person (Spouses and guests welcome; preregistration required).
Excursions
Pre-convention excursion to Monterey (Wednesday, July 1, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.) (Closed)
La Péninsule de Monterey est un endroit magnifique et magique, où la terre, l'océan et l'air dessinent des paysages excep-tionnels. C'est aussi une charmante petite ville, avec son architecture de la période mexicaine, ses maisons victoriennes, son aquarium mondialement connu, son port, ses plages, ses petites rues typiques, ses magasins, ses parcs et son élégance décontractée. Cette visite pré-congrès com-prend: accueil et présentation au Monterey Institute of International Studies, une école reconnue pour ses cours de langues et son curriculum original, déjeuner libre en ville, après-midi libre de promenades et d'explorations. Des informations seront données, pour les participants qui voudront aussi visiter la célèbre petite ville de Carmel-by-the-Sea, qui est a 15 minutes en taxi de Monterey. Les participants recevront des plans, brochures, informations sur le Monterey Institute, Monterey, Carmel et la péninsule.
Le Monterey Institute est au coeur de la ville de Monterey. Départ hôtel 8h00, arrivée sur Monterey 9h45 environ (au Monterey Institute), visite du Monterey Institute environ 1 heure, puis déjeuner et visite libres jusqu'à 17 heures (bus de retour devant le Monterey Institute) ($40 per person; lunch not included; spouses and guests welcome; preregistration required).
Post-convention excursion to San Francisco and Wine country (Sunday-Monday, July 5-6) (Closed)
San Francisco à la française!
Nous vous proposons une excursion exceptionnelle de deux jours à la découverte de San Francisco et de la Napa Valley, encadrée par une guide conférencière de langue maternelle française. Dr. Jackie Grandchamps a conçu un voyage sur mesure pour les participants au congrès.
La première journée sera consacrée à la visite des lieux essentiels de San Francisco: Alamo Square et ses maisons victoriennes, les embarcadères en face d’Alcatraz, Lombard Street, Chinatown …. La visite se fera en car, au départ de San Jose (déjeuner "box lunch" prévu); votre guide vous accueillera à bord et vous escortera tout au long de ces deux journées. Si votre conjoint(e) anglophone vous accompagne, il/elle ne sera pas perdu(e) grâce aux commentaires complémentaires en anglais proposés par votre guide bilingue.
En fin d’après-midi, l’autocar vous déposera dans votre hôtel 3-4 étoiles idéalement situé au coeur de San Francisco; votre guide vous emmènera ensuite dîner dans un restaurant au coeur de la ville.
Le deuxième jour, départ matinal pour la visite du célèbre pont du Golden Gate. Puis direction, la Napa Valley dont les vignobles perchés sur les collines ne sont pas sans évoquer la France. Déjeuner au milieu des vignobles puis visite d’un domaine viticole et dégustation de vins locaux.
Retour à San Jose en début de soirée. Heure de retour estimée: 18h-18h30.
Inscription avant le 30 mai, le prix est de $360 par personne. (Un supplément de $50 pour les inscriptions après le 30 mai, si les places sont disponibles.)Le logement est en chambre double. Pour logement en chambre individuelle, supplément de $65. (Fee includes transportation, hotel, all meals including a box lunch from the hotel on Saturday and entrance fees. Spouses and guests welcome; preregistration required).