National
Conference
Wellington
29 – 31 May 2009
The Agender Executive Committee
and Conference Coordinator
are delighted to present
“Beeing Who We
Are!”
as the theme for this year’s
National Agender Conference. It encapsulates the very essence of who we are now…..as a community filled with many shades
of pink, blue, in between, and even still questioning – whatever your level or affiliation within the transgender continuum
– this conference is for you!
Among us are many talented
and dynamic individuals either within our community, or who provide a service to our community. This conference provides the
opportunity to share, network and build our community. “Beeing Who We Are!”…….embrace the concept
now and enjoy the variety and inclusiveness in many of the presentations planned for you this Queens Birthday weekend.
Meet the team:
The
coordinator welcomes Karen, Natasha and Cindy on board to assist him in making this conference a fun event for everyone. Karen
is helping with local fundraising ideas; Natasha will be helping with the venue in that everything will run smoothly on the
day as well as ensure our patron is accommodated for; and Cindy will be our conference time keeper in making sure our programme
runs accordingly.
Have you booked in yet?
You
have around three months to organise your diary and travel arrangements to be in Wellington for Queens Birthday weekend. In
order to make this trip to Windy Wellington a memorable one, you will need to budget for your travel to and from conference,
your accommodation, breakfast during your stay, parking if you are using a vehicle, and some extra $$ for some retail therapy,
to sample the café sites, night clubs or how about take in a film at Out Takes 2009!
Registration:
The
registration form will soon be uploaded and prices to attend this conference are $170 for Agender financial members and $195
for non-members. While we have limited seating, we do already have around 45 people who have expressed an interest to attend.
Seats are filling and it is first-in first-served basis. To avoid disappointment, please consider registering and paying for
your seat soon.
click 
download registration forms for Conference
Keynote Speakers
It
is with much delight that I announce that the keynote speakers have now confirmed their interest and participation in ‘your’
conference! They are: Carmen Rupe; Fuimaono Karl Pulotu-Endemann, Joanne Clarke and Sue Nicholson. You will be inspired, captivated
and certainly entertained by this line-up of amazing people who will no doubt “Bee Who They Are!” just for you!
Nau mai – Haere mai rau rangatira ma! (welcome esteemed and highly respected guests!)
There is also a line up of
yet more amazing presenters who are keen to meet with you also and these will be advertised soon.
Expression of Interest
- Presenters
I welcome one and all to make application if you have a presentation or workshop that is relevant to the
theme “Beeing Who We Are!” If there is a topic that you are able to present within a 30min or 1 hour time
frame – I would be very keen to receive your completed form anytime between now and mid March so that I can process
and notify you of an outcome, no later than end of March 2009. I have some presenter spaces available, however they are filling.
Here is your opportunity!
Expression
of Interest – Poster & Banner Displays
West Plaza
have allowed me to use their wall space (with guidelines though) – so I would like to give our community the opportunity
to advertise and promote. Therefore if you have a support group going or have a business that would like the trans dollar
to support….please see this as yet another opportunity to market to your target audience. The form is attached and again
– please submit these now and no later than mid March so that I can process and notify your outcome by end of March
2009.
Expression of Interest
– Sponsorship
Yes folks we do need to dig deep this year amidst many reasons locally, nationally and globally.
However challenging it is to coordinate a conference with extremely low funds, it is always humbling to receive donations,
koha, sponsorship, volunteering of services from individuals, groups, communities – certainly humbling! Gestures of
support like these, are what makes a conference truly memorable. I would like to mention a couple already and they are: Donations:
Agender Trust, Sue Nicholson, Karen Te Wao. Support in kind: Joanne Clarke, Karen Te Wao, NZPC, Jane London, Natasha Tansey,
Cindy Lewis, Kevin Haunui, John Mayes, Dale Ferris, and Tiwhanawhana. Product donation: Richard Simmons (2 x DVD’s “Party
off the Pounds” all the way from America), Marlis Klein (organic honey). A pledge to all – if you can support
in this manner – you’re an absolute legend!
Out in the Square –
Wellington 21 March 2009
Karen is going to do her fundraising at this event. If you know of any folks coming along
to Out in the Square – can you do us a big favour and ask them to visit our stall and buy something from us? We hope
to have a model of our Conference Mascot ‘Toby’ there as well with his donation bowl - Thank You!
Here are some extra tips
in making your conference and trip to Wellington a good one!
Travel:
Air NZ Grabaseat www.grabaseat.co.nz and Pacific Blue www.flypacificblue.com are favourite sites to visit as there are always cheap flights in and out of Wellington. Checking these sites regularly would
be a good option. If you wish to travel by bus throughout NZ www.InterCity.co.nz or check out Naked Bus www.nakedbus.com and then there is the train www.tranzscenic.co.nz and of course by car is the other option.
Good luck on your search.
Accommodation:
The
West Plaza has reserved 25 standard rooms at the rate of $129 (incl GST) per room per night with arrival Friday afternoon
29th May and departure Monday morning 1st June 2009. These can be booked through West Plaza on Freephone
(NZ only) 0800 731 444, (Australia) 1800 140 3328, (local phone) 473 1440 or email: reservations@westplaza.co.nz Please
use the Group Name: Agender NZ and the Confirmation Number: 19346. I do know the reserved rooms at this special rate are filling
so you might want to make that booking soon to avoid disappointment. Also just a couple of doors down from West Plaza is Nomads
Capital with dorm beds for $25 per night and more private rooms $47.50 (prices could change though), however, certainly worth
checking out on www.nomadshostels.com. Now that’s just two options with many more great accommodation sites nearby to the conference. Let me know if you
would like more info on conference@agender.org.nz
Car Parking during Conference:
There
is limited parking space in the city and certainly within West Plaza. If you are driving and require a car park – this
is an additional cost to factor in to your budgeting. You must book your vehicle in with reception at West Plaza beforehand
and the rate is $15 per day. There is pay and display and a parking building nearby. If you would like to me investigate these
prices – please email me on conference@agender.org.nz
Breakfast:
The
conference is unable to cater for breakfast for delegates. This is an additional cost also and ranges from $10.00 for toast,
tea, coffee etc to $23.00 a full breakfast.
What
To Bring?
Whatever you like is usually my motto! If you are flying, I guess weight restriction can limit your choices.
It would be a good idea to bring something stunning to wear for the evening. There is the fashion show and you would want
to enter that because it will be a lot of fun this year! Maybe you might like to visit the costume cave for something a little
different (within walking distance from the conference) on http://www.costumecave.co.nz
There are some ‘exciting’
sessions been planned for you so stay tuned and enthused folks as we keep you updated on this site about our Conference. We
will also have some exciting build-ups to conference as well as advertising in our monthly Perspective as well as Gay Line
Wellington’s website.
In the first instance please
do not hesitate to email conference@agender.org.nz if you would like the relevant forms or any information requests; or contact Joanne Clarke on president@agender.org.nz.
Places
are limited!
click here to register your place
