By now all Wisconsin Association of International Educators (WAIE) and Illinois NAFSA members should have received many emails from me asking for proposals and participation. Well the time is finally here to announce this year's WAIE Annual Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, April 7th & 8th, 2008. This year WAIE is doing something a little different. Rather than sending materials out via mail, this year's pre-conference materials are available exclusively on-line, all materials can be found in one convenient location at this website (starting February 11, 2008).

This year’s state conference will be a great place to learn new ideas and share with other colleagues in the field. The conference will be held on April 7th and 8th at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Continuing Education Center in Downtown Milwaukee. The WAIE team invites you to join us for the conference. We have strong pre-conference workshops and have received exciting session proposals.

This message will provide you with information related to registration, accommodations, conference grants and the conference schedule. This same information can be found on the WAIE website: http://iss.wisc.edu/waie/conference.html.

The Conference Schedule: The conference will run from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm on Tuesday April 8th. Pre-conference workshops will be offered on Monday, April 7, 8:00 to 4:30 pm and will include: F-1 Basics; Study Abroad 101; Credential Evaluation; and International Student Recruitment.

Conference Registration: Registration is being coordinated by the Continuing Education staff at UW-Milwaukee. You can register on-line at the following secure website: https://www4.uwm.edu/sce/registration/waie.cfm

Accommodations: Hotel reservations should be made directly with the Hampton Inn & Suites Milwaukee Hotel 1-(888) 271-4656. Please identify yourself by indicating that you will attend the 2008 Wisconsin Association of International Educators WAIE state conference. Special room rates of $94.00 (plus tax) per night will be available for Monday, April 7th. A limited number of rooms can be reserved at this rate for Sunday and Tuesday nights as well. Room reservations must be made by March 21, 2008. (The conference room rates are also the state rate.)

Conference Assistance Grants: WI NAFSA is offering $1410.00 in Conference Assistance Grants. Grant information and the application form can be found on the WAIE website.

Raffle Donations: WAIE is asking members to donate raffle items to be given away at this year's conference. Please send donations to:
Kevin Beisser
UWM ESL
PO Box 413
Milwaukee, WI

The WAIE Team is looking forward to a successful conference and hopes that you will join us. Please remember to invite interested students and non-NAFSA/WAIE friends and colleagues! The WAIE team looks forward to welcoming you to Milwaukee!

Sincerely,

Kevin Beisser

Chair, Wisconsin Association of International Educators WAIE