7 DRAFT UPDATED  DECEMBER 8, 2000 Past conferences have followed this format. (We provide this information only as an aid in planning--it’s not a requirement that the program look exactly like this) Day 1: Travel and informal social activities Day 2: Formal welcome, large group presentations on issues of national interest. May have small group sessions in afternoon Day 3: Breakout (small group) technical sessions all day Day 4: Breakout (small group) technical sessions all day Day 5: Field Trips & banquet Day 6: AREA Business Meeting, Regional AREA & USFWS meetings. Travel 2.  Conference Booklet   The Sponsor will prepare a conference booklet with brief descriptions of each session, conference schedule and other pertinent information.  This should be part of the pre- registration information package. 3. Field Trips Field trips must be related to aquatic resource education.  In the past this included: natural history field trips to specific resources, visits to hatcheries, research facilities, aquaria, fisheries sampling, and aquatic resource related recreation.  When in doubt about the appropriateness of a field trip, consult the conference committee or previous conference offerings. 4. Exhibits/Share Fair/Poster Session This is an informal opportunity for members to share new materials, displays, resources, audio/visual presentations and displays.  Typically this area is set up more than one or two days of the conference.  The conference sponsor must organize this event and coordinate delivery and shipping of materials. 5. Social activities a. Hospitality suite--Sponsors should establish and staff an area that lets members interact in an informal setting.  This may be a hospitality suite and should be available to members throughout the conference.   b. Banquet--Sponsors should plan the banquet for the last evening of the conference.  This includes planning the meal, planning the evening’s entertainment, speakers and any awards presented.  The Sponsor should include costs for the banquet in the conference registration. 6.  Regional meetings. The USFWS Regional Aquatic Education Specialists may hold their own regional meetings.  Conference sponsors will be responsible for meeting room arrangements for these meetings.  Typically these meetings are at least two hours long.