2009 FAR-WEST ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Click on the picture below to print out
a FAR-West flyer to take to your local
coffeehouses, open mics,music stores, etc.

This year's FAR-West Annual Conference will be held November 6-8, 2009 in Southern California at the Hyatt Regency Irvine in Irvine, California. Just 9 miles from the beach! John Wayne Airport is 2 miles away and is very easy to fly in and out of. The hotel even provides a free shuttle service from the airport to the hotel.

With five very successful annual conferences behind us, we're looking forward to keeping the momentum going. Please join us for our sixth annual conference! You will discover a wealth of music, networking and fun!

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
Please read information below before registering.
We are using a new on-line registration company and have some dramatic changes for you this year. The main change is that after you register, you will be able to log back on to your account using your email address and a password of your choice. That means, if you wish to add a program book ad, or a tote bag insert after you have registered, you can.
*Note* When you log back in to your account to add an item, log in, click FINALIZE and then you may add what you want.
* If you are selected as a premiere showcase winner, you can go back on and upload your photo, and pay your fee.
There are many other more subtle changes, all designed to make this registration as user-friendly as possible. We look forward to seeing you in Irvine!

This year there is only one link to registration. The first thing you need to do when you enter the site is choose the registration type that is appropriate for you.

Individual Registration
Choose this registration if you are a paid member of Folk Alliance. While registering yourself, you can also add an additional person or persons to your registration if they are also a member of Folk Alliance, planning to attend and will be paying at the same time you are. If you have a partner membership, for example. Different email addresses are required for each person registered on the same registration. Each person will be charged the same registration fee and need to pay with a single credit card or check.
Please note that all people showcasing must be a member of Folk Alliance to showcase.

Individual NON-Folk Alliance Member Registration
Choose this registration if you are NOT a member of national Folk Alliance. You can also add an additional person to your registration if your partner is also NOT a member of Folk Alliance, planning to attend and will be paying at the same time you are. Each of you will be charged the same registration fee and need to pay with a single credit card or check. It is more expensive to register as a non-member.
Note that anyone planning to showcase or host a Private Guerrilla Showcase room must be a member.

Group Registration Band/Organization Rates (Folk Alliance Members Only)
Choose this registration if you are registering as a band or arts organization. Your band or arts organization must be a member of Folk Alliance. There is a place on the form to add additional band members after the first member. Built into this registration is a discount of $25 per each additional group member added AFTER the first member, to a maximum of five additional members. NOTE: For arts organizations, this discounted rate applies only to members of that organization's board of directors.

Donation/Merchandise only
If you know of anyone who does not plan to attend the conference but would like to take out a program book ad, or be a tote bag sponsor, or make a charitable donation, this is where they can do that. All the personal registration information gathering is skipped over and they are taken to the contribution and merchandise pages.

REGISTRATION FEES - FOLK ALLIANCE MEMBERS
	Thru July 25	Jul 26-Nov 1	At Conf.
Individual
Full Conf.	$155	$195	$225
Fri. or Sun.	N/A	$140	$165
Sat. Only	N/A	$160	$175
Groups - Band / Arts Organization $1st Person / $ ea Addl (up to 5)
Full Conf.	$155/$130	$195/$170	$225/$200
Fri. or Sun.	N/A	$140/$115	$165/$140
Sat. Only	N/A	$160/$135	$175/$150
REGISTRATION FEES - NON -FOLK ALLIANCE MEMBERS
Individual
Full Conf.	$180	$235	$265
Fri. or Sun.	N/A	$180	$205
Sat. Only	N/A	$200	$215

TO: → Online Registration  ←

Exhibit Hall Tables, Program Book Ads, Tote Bags Inserts
and Private "Guerrilla" Showcase Rooms

Exhibit Hall Tables, Program Book Ads, Tote Bags Inserts
and Private "Guerrilla" Showcase Rooms should be purchased
through the online registration process.

IF you have already registered, but wish to "add on" one of
these items at a later date, please use the link below:
Online Registration
*NOTE* When you log back in to your account to add an item, you must click FINALIZE, then you can add what you want.
(Please note that you must be a Folk Alliance member to purchase an Exhibit Hall Table, Tote Bag Insert or Private "Guerrilla" Showcase Room.)

EXHIBIT HALL
Apply for an Exhibit Hall table through online registration. Deadline to sign up for an Exhibit Hall table is Saturday, September 26, 2008. For more details about Exhibit Hall go to: www.far-west.org/exhibit2009.html.

PROGRAM ADS
Purchase a Program Book ad through online registration. Deadline to submit your ad is Friday, September 26, 2008. For more details about Program Book advertising go to: www.far-west.org/programbook2009.html

TOTE BAGS
Purchase a Tote Bag Sponsorship and/or reserve your spot for an item to be placed in this year's Tote Bags through online registration. For more information about Tote Bags go to: www.far-west.org/totebag2009.html

FAR-West is run entirely by volunteers.
We are always in need of volunteers to help out at this year's conference. Volunteers will get a discount on their registration fees. See details and sign up as a conference volunteer during online registration.

More Information, Job Descriptions and the Volunteer Registry on the Volunteers page.


Join the FAR-West Street Team!

NEW PROGRAM: Be a "Volunteer Angel"

Persons willing to volunteer without a refund on-site at the conference will be part of the "Volunteer Angel" program and will receive a sticker that says "I'm a Volunteer Angel". Place it on your name badge and proudly wear it during the conference to show you are part of the volunteer corps who make FAR-West so special.

ALSO NEW:
Honor your own personal folk heroes during the FAR-West 2009 Conference

Best of The West - Grassroots Tribute Video Display for FAR-West Folk Heroes

Details on the AWARDS page
 

Showcase Information
Please visit the Showcase Information Page
for details on Official Showcases and Private "Guerilla" Showcases.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? - WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?

Join the best of the west at the 6th Annual Folk Alliance Western Regional Conference. Meet the people who are making things happen in folk music from all over the West. The FAR-West Annual conference is ideal for Performing Artists, Presenters, Record Industry, Agents & Managers, Media, Arts Administrators, Folk Societies/Clubs, Folklorists, and DJs. Help build a stronger folk music community on the west coast while advancing your career and gaining valuable contacts at the same time!

Registration fee includes all Workshops, Panels, Seminars, Exhibit Hall Entrance, Showcases, Jamming Sessions, and Saturday's Awards Luncheon. Learn how to build your community, career and contacts while making and listening to music with your peers. It's about networking and building relationships that will advance your music career. Showcase opportunities abound and it's very affordable.

See who's already registered for 2009
Click on this link for a list of who's registered.

2008 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Click on the link above for last year's schedule of events.

2008 Conference Panels & Workshops
Click on the link above for a PDF File of the schedule for last year's Panels & Workshops.
2009 Schedule coming June 30

FAR-West Conference First Timers' Handbook
Recommended for anyone trying to make the most of the conference. To download the handbook (in ".PDF" format) click on the link above. (PC users right click on link and select "Save Link As"; Mac users click and hold.) Note: This file is 244K.

BOOKING YOUR HOTEL ROOM

Hyatt Regency Irvine Hotel
Irvine, California.
FAR-West Conference Room Rates
$115 + tax for a single or double room - $140 for triple occupancy

Cutoff date for this discounted rate is
October 15, 2009.
For Hotel Reservations: call (888) 591-1234 or (949) 975-1234 and mention code: "FWF1 or just tell them you will be with FAR-West."
OR BOOK YOUR ROOM HERE

For "Music Rooms," to host private "guerrilla" showcases, do not book your room with the hotel. For insurance reasons, Private "Guerrilla" Showcase rooms must be booked through FAR-West, NOT the hotel. You can sign up through online registration. A signed contract is also needed and can be found at www.far-west.org/pgs2009.html

If you have any problems or questions about booking your rooms, please contact our Hotel Coordinator Michele Dulson.

If you will be sending any packages to the hotel, follow the procedure outlined in the HYATT REGENCY IRVINE SHIPMENT INFORMATION document.

Transportation from Airport to Hotel:

To / From John Wayne / Orange County Airport (1.51 miles)
*Complimentary Hotel Shuttle* Our hotel offers complimentary shuttle service for guests. We arrange pick up at the John Wayne / Orange County Airport 15 and 45 minutes after the hour, beginning at 5:15 a.m. on weekdays and 6:15 a.m. on weekends. The last pick up is at 11:15 p.m. nightly.

*Taxi* The cost of taxi service to our hotel near John Wayne Airport is generally around $8.00. Ask your Concierge to arrange taxi transport

To / From Long Beach Airport (22.57 miles)
*Taxi* Taxi service generally costs around $55.00.
*Super Shuttle* The shuttle to Long Beach Airport costs approximately $37.00.

To / From Los Angeles International (LAX) Airport (43.25 miles)
*Super Shuttle* The cost is approximately $32.00 one way per person. Each additional person in same party is $9.00 extra.

To / From Ontario International Airport (48.73 miles)
*Super Shuttle* The cost is $47.00 one way, per person.
*AMTRAK* Use the zoom-able interactive map at the link below to view all Amtrak routes in California.
*Local Transit* Orange County Transit costs $1.25 per ride. A day pass is $3.00. See the Bell Desk for the current schedule or visit the website.

Driving Directions From SANTA BARBARA
Merge onto US-101 S via the ramp on the LEFT. 77.6 mi
Merge onto I-405 S toward SANTA MONICA. 56.5 mi
Take the JAMBOREE RD exit, EXIT 7. 0.3 mi
Turn LEFT onto JAMBOREE RD. 0.3 mi
End at 17900 Jamboree Rd Irvine, CA 92614-6211

From SAN DIEGO
Merge onto I-5 N via EXIT 1A toward LOS ANGELES. 77.6 mi
Merge onto I-405 N toward LONG BEACH. 6.9 mi
Take the JAMBOREE RD exit, EXIT 7. 0.3 mi
Turn RIGHT onto JAMBOREE RD. 0.1 mi
End at 17900 Jamboree Rd Irvine, CA 92614-6211

Driving to the conference? Download this sign to display in your windows!

FOLK DANCE at FAR-West Please visit the Dance Information Page
for details on this year's Contra Dance.

FAR-West Howard Larman Memorial Scholarship Fund
Due to the generosity of an anonymous donor, FAR-West has set up an annual fund to help someone with financial need attend the FAR-West conference. This fund continues to be added to by others wishing to honor Howard's memory. FAR-West is proud to have this ongoing fund in Howard Larman's name. Howard, who with his wife Roz, co-founded the long running FolkScene radio program, died in April 2007. Howard and Roz were on the founding committee of FAR-West. They have truly been pillars of the accoustic music scene for more than 35 years.

The Howard Larman Memorial Scholarship Fund is a financial assistance program administered by FAR-West. Each year, one or more grants will be awarded.

The size of the grant will be based on the cost for an individual artist to attend the conference, and grants can only be awarded to individuals. If a duo or larger group is interested in applying for the scholarship,please note that the application must be made on behalf of an individual or individuals.

The grant will pay for the conference registration and hotel room for two nights. The money will go directly from The Fund to the conference and the hotel. Awardees will be responsible for their own transportation and food, other than meals which are specifically included in the conference fees.

Applicants send a short biography and a brief explanation as to why they want to attend the FAR-West Conference. The grant will be awarded by a committee of three FAR-West Board Members during the first week of October. Questions about the Howard Larman Memorial Scholarship Fund should be emailed to: larmanfund@far-west.org.

PAST CONFERENCES:

October 24-26, 2008 - Fifth Annual FAR-West Conference
in Phoenix (Mesa), AZ - See Photos

November 2-4, 2007 - Fourth Annual FAR-West Conference
in Vancouver, WA / Portland, OR - See Photos

November 17-19, 2006 - Third Annual FAR-West Conference
in Sacramento (Rancho Cordova), CA - See Photos

October 28-30, 2005 - Second Annual FAR-West Conference
in Los Angeles (Woodland Hills), CA - See Photos

October 29-31, 2004 - First Annual FAR-West Conference
in Los Angeles (Woodland Hills), CA - See Photos