YWM2013 Are You Ready to "Rise to the Challenge?"

Spring 2013

On August 15, the sun will rise in Phoenix. On August 15, a challenge will be issued. Are you ready to “Rise to the Challenge” with the OAC? Prepare yourself for one of the most energetic crowds along with the most comprehensive educational convention on weight and health – the 2nd Annual Your Weight Matters National Convention – “Rise to the Challenge.”

If you attended the OAC’s Inaugural Convention last year, you know first-hand the impact that this meeting aims to have on your health, weight and life. In less than a year, the Your Weight Matters Convention has sent shockwaves throughout the health-education community and is the premier meeting on weight and health. The time has come for the OAC to once again offer its members and the public a place to come together to learn evidence-based weight management strategies from the country’s leading experts on weight and health.

YWM National Convention at a Glance

The Your Weight Matters National Convention is a 3-day educational event designed to bring together all individuals who struggle or are concerned with weight-related issues. The entire weekend is dedicated to presenting a comprehensive educational program, comprised of diverse topics designed to help any individual who has ever had a concern about their weight. We bring-in the country’s leading experts on weight and health and give you the RIGHT tools to be successful in your lifelong journey with weight.

Registration Now Open for YWM2013!

One of the aspects of the Convention that makes it so appealing is the price. The OAC strives to keep the cost to the attendee low. Nowhere else can you have access to the country’s leading experts on weight and health, for just $95 (Early-bird Registration).

Full Convention Registration – BEST VALUE!
Early-bird Discount Deadline – May 20

This is the best registration category for attendees who want to take full advantage to ALL aspects of the Convention. Full Convention Registration Includes: Access to all educational sessions, official Convention T-shirt, souvenir canvas tote bag, Convention Program Book, ability to pre-register for the OAC’s Advocacy Training Session (Thurs), breakfast on Friday and Saturday morning, ticket to Event Welcoming Ceremonies Dinner (Fri.), and ticket to OAC’s 2nd Annual Awards Dinner (Sat.). Lunch NOT included.

$95 – Full Convention Registration
$135 – Full Convention Registration with CE Credits

After May 20
$125 – Full Convention Registration
$165 – Full Convention Registration with CE Credits

One-day Registration
Early-bird Discount Deadline – May 20
One-day registrations are ideal for attendees who do not wish to participate in the social events and do not want to receive the official Convention T-shirt. One-day Registrations Include: Access to Educational sessions, souvenir canvas tote bag, and Convention Program Book. Meals, social events and official event T-shirt NOT included.

$25/day – Friday and Saturday
$45/day – Friday and Saturday with CE Credits

After May 20
$35/day – Friday and/or Saturday Registration
$55/day – Friday and/or Saturday with CE Credits

Special Events

The Convention guarantees to offer the most up-to-date information on weight and health, but that’s not all. In addition to the education you will receive, the Convention also hosts special events that allow you the opportunity to engage yourself even more in all the Convention has to offer!

National Advocacy Training
Thursday, August 15 – 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

During the Convention, the OAC will host a special Advocacy Training Session. Advocacy is one of the most important tools when impacting change for those affected by obesity and YOU will have the incredible opportunity during this four-hour session to learn how to become an effective advocate.

The Advocacy Training Session includes:

• • • In-depth look at the advocacy process
    • Opportunity to participate in mock “Day on the Hill” visits with real legislators and staffers
    • Tips on how to talk to elected officials
    • and much more

Registration for Advocacy Training is FREE; however, OAC Convention registration is required to sign-up for the Advocacy Training Session. Lunch will be served. If you are interested in attending the Advocacy Training Session, you must indicate your attendance when submitting your registration for the OAC Convention. This special session is limited to the first 100 pre-registered, so don’t delay. Sign-up today!

Lunch with the Experts Sessions ($15/day)
Friday, August 16 – 12:45 pm – 1:45 pm
Saturday, August 17 – 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

One of the most popular Convention events last year was the Lunch with the Experts sessions. Attendees were able to sit one-on-one in a small group with an expert in a field/topic that interested them. On Friday and Saturday, the OAC will once again feature Lunch with the Experts sessions.

This is a great opportunity to ask some specific questions you’ve always wanted to and learn from others interested in the same topic. There are 16 different lunch table topics (see Program Agenda on page 5 for topics), with spots for eight attendees at each table. The Lunch with the Experts session is a separate fee from Convention registration ($15/day). Lunches are reserved on a first-come first-served basis, and you will have the ability to select your top three choices of lunch topics on each day. This session includes lunch and access to the expert of your choice.

Walk from Obesity ($25/walker)
Sunday, August 18 – 7:30 am

The Walk from Obesity will be the culmination of the Convention, held on Sunday, August 18 on the grounds of the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa. The Walk from Obesity is a partnered OAC event that raises awareness and funds to advance the cause of obesity. To learn more about the Walk from Obesity, visit www.walkfromobesity.com.

Dinner/Social Events

The biggest takeaways for last year’s attendees were the feeling of “home” and sense of “community” experienced at the OAC’s Convention. Listening to all the positive feedback after the Convention, one of the resounding messages from our attendees was that they felt like they “finally belonged to something” or “were not alone in the fight against obesity.” The OAC will give our attendees the same experience as last year and aims to connect with even more individuals this year. The Convention Dinner/Social Events are an excellent way to get to know your fellow attendees and build friendships that will last a lifetime.

Member Mix & Mingle
Thursday, August 15 – 7:30 pm

On Thursday evening, the OAC invites you to join us and the OAC National Board of Directors for an informal gathering before the official start of the educational sessions of the Convention. The Member Mix & Mingle is a great place to catch up with old friends and meet fellow Convention attendees in a casual setting. This is also a great time to feel the excitement from all in attendance on the eve of the Convention kick-off.

Friday Night Welcoming Ceremonies Themed Dinner Party
Friday, August 16 – 7:00 pm

The Friday Night Welcoming Ceremonies party is a fun and exciting way to celebrate the end of the first day of Convention. This party is reserved as a time for our attendees to let loose in a fun-filled event, take lots of photos and share in laughter with one another.

A great aspect to this event is the ability to connect with those you don’t know. Many attendees attend the Convention on their own, so this is a great event that provides a relaxed atmosphere to get to know others better.

This year’s Welcoming Ceremonies Dinner will be held in an outdoor venue, situated in the Waterpark on property at the Arizona Grand. With this fun backdrop, we couldn’t think of a more perfect theme for the evening than Beach/Luau! But, there’s a catch! We are putting your creativity to the test – so this year’s costume theme is “Favorite Beach-themed Movie.” Of course, a costume is not required, but we want to encourage all attendees to join in the fun and come dressed in their best representation of a beach-themed movie.

All Full Convention Registrants receive one ticket to the Welcoming Ceremonies Dinner as part of their registration. One-day registrants do not receive a ticket to the  Welcoming Ceremonies Dinner. For more information on purchasing additional tickets, please visit www.YWMConvention.com.

OAC 2nd Annual Awards Dinner
Saturday, August 17 – 7:30 pm

On Saturday evening, the OAC will host its 2nd Annual Awards Dinner, a special time where the OAC honors dedicated members, advocates and volunteers who exemplify excellence in championing the cause of obesity. This will be a more formal night to come together and celebrate the successes of those that have made a significant impact in the lives of those affected.

All Full Convention Registrants receive one ticket to the Awards Dinner as part of their registration. One-day registrants do not receive a ticket to the Awards Dinner. For more information on purchasing additional tickets, please visit www.YWMConvention.com.

HEAR THE REAL STORIES from those who’ve attended the Convention

Ask anyone who attended the Inaugural Convention and they’ll tell you it was an experience they’ll never forget. This year, we’re making it even easier for you to hear first-hand what the Convention is all about. We’ve created a Convention Welcoming Committee, a volunteer group dedicated to helping answer all your questions and get you acclimated to the OAC Convention experience.

The best way to hear about the Convention experience now is to view our official Convention Invitational Video. This video provides you with an inside-look at the Convention, testimonials from past attendees and much more.
To view the video, please visit www.YWMConvention.com.

Convention Welcoming Committee

Our committee wants to hear from you and answer all your questions to help you decide if this Convention is the right place for you. Plus, you will have your first connection to the meeting, so you won’t have to feel afraid if traveling on your own to Phoenix.

For more information on the Convention Welcoming Committee, please visit www.YWMConvention.com and click on the “Convention Details” tab.

Did you know?
Did you know the OAC recently launched a brand-new Web site dedicated solely to the Your Weight Matters National Convention? Located at www.YWMConvention.com, you will find all the information to help you make your plans to join us in Phoenix for this one-of-a-kind event. Visit www.YWMConvention.com today!

Hotel Information

What would you say if we told you that this year’s hotel rivals last year’s? Well, how about some sun, some fun, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and oh, yea, a waterpark? These are just “some” of the features of this year’s host hotel – the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa. This property promises to offer guests the highest level of accommodations set against a picturesque mountain range, complete with cacti and exquisite sunsets.

This year, we are pleased to have secured a competitive room rate of $105/night (single/double occupancy) for OAC Convention attendees. All guest rooms at the Arizona Grand are suite-style, with a separate living area that also has a pull-out sofa, making it an ideal set-up to share rooms with others. We expect the Convention room block to sell quickly so be sure to make your room reservations as early as possible. The room block will close on July 22, or when all rooms are filled, whichever comes first.

The Arizona Grand Resort and Spa is unique because it not only has the perfect meeting facilities to offer some great education, but it also offers a little something extra for our attendees wanting to get away. With only a six mile commute from the airport, the Arizona Grand offers:

• All-suite accommodations
• Six outdoor leisure and lap pools
• A seven acre waterpark (perfect for the Arizona mid-Aug. heat)
• Full-service spa with 14 spa treatment rooms
• 18-hole signature golf course
• Nearby hiking and trails
• And much more!

Reserve Your Room Now!

We encourage you to make your room reservations now as the room block fills quickly. If you have any issues making your reservations, please contact the OAC at convention@obesityaction.org or (800) 717-3117.

Make Your Reservation by Phone:
To make your room reservation by phone today, please call the Arizona Grand Reservation Line at: (877) 800-4888. Identify yourself as an attendee of the “OAC Convention” to receive the preferred rate of $105/night.

Make Your Reservation Online:
To make your room reservation online, please visit www.YWMConvention.com and click on the “Travel Details” tab located on the top navigational bar. Once clicked, you will see a “Click Here to Reserve Your Room at the Arizona Grand” button. Simply click the button and you will find all the information needed to reserve your room using the preferred rate. This rate is for single /double occupancy. These rates are effective until the room block closes (or sells out, whichever comes first). Rates are subject to applicable taxes. The resort fee has been waived for OAC Convention guests.

For more information on the host hotel, such as what’s included in your reservation and information on travel discounts, please visit www.YWMConvention.com.

Convention Exhibit Hall

This year, the OAC Convention will once again host a 2-day Exhibit Hall packed with hand-picked vendors offering you the latest products and services to help you in your weight-loss journey. If you are a vendor and are interested in exhibiting at the Your Weight Matters National Convention, please email convention@obesityaction.org for more information.

See You in Phoenix!

Whether you’re just learning about how your weight impacts your health, or you’ve addressed your weight, the Your Weight Matters National Convention promises to offer you real, useful tools that you can utilize in your weight-loss journey. Battling excess weight or obesity is a challenge. It’s a challenge that millions of Americans battle each and every day. The OAC is here to help you and invites you to join us as we all “Rise to the Challenge.” We look forward to seeing you in Phoenix!

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