TCF 2012 National/International Conference

Register Now for 35th TCF/USA National Conference/ 5th International Gathering in Costa Mesa July 20-22!

Registration is now open for The Compassionate Friends 35th National Conference/ 5th International Gathering July 20-22, 2012 in beautiful Costa Mesa, California! We recommend registering early as this is expected to be one of the best attended U.S. TCF National Conferences in history with more than 1500 expected for the weekend at the Hilton Orange County Costa Mesa Hotel.

Register Online Here!

(Early Discounted Registration Ends June 15; Pre-registration Ends June 29, 2012)

Conference Schedule

Registration Brochure

Conference Workshops

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If you're seeking a way to remember and grieve for your child, sibling, or grandchild with people who understand and don't expect you to be "back to normal," why not give yourself a gift this summer by attending the 35th National Conference/5th International Gathering? This is a unique opportunity to be surrounded by a safe-haven that comes along only once a year. We are anticipating participation from virtually every state, as well as many of the 30 or more countries outside the United States where TCF organizations exist.

If you're not able to attend the conference, there are still plenty of opportunities to participate in the event whether you will be ordering the unique "Remembrance of Love" (watch here for an online submission form to order this beautiful memento), by creating a memorial website and raising donations for TCF and its chapters through the Walk to Remember Friends Asking Friends® program, or by submitting the name of a child to be carried by volunteers in the Walk to Remember which will be July 22. Stop back here in the upcoming days for more on these opportunities!!

We have four wonderful keynoters lined up for the conference. They are:

• Lois Duncan, the prolific and award winning author of 48 books. But, the most difficult one she ever had to write was Who Killed My Daughter?, the story behind her search for the truth in the death of her 18-year-old daughter Kaitlyn Arquette in what police called a random drive by shooting.
• Kathy Eldon, journalist, author, producer, activist, and mother who found her life changed forever when her 22-year-old son, Dan Eldon, a Reuters photographer, was stoned to death by an angry mob as he did his job in Somalia in July of 1993. Among her books are Angel Catcher: A Journal of Loss and Remembrance and The Journey is the Destination.
• Darcie Sims, always popular international keynote speaker, who brings her wit and wisdom as a bereaved parent and certified grief management specialist to the podium in Costa Mesa. Co-founder of Grief, Inc., an international grief consulting firm, Darcie is a well known and respected author and speaker. She wrote the grief book,  Why are the Casseroles Always Tuna?
• IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: We are saddened to report that due to unforeseen circumstances, Compassionate Friends Worldwide Founder Simon Stephens will be unable to travel from his home in Russia to attend the conference and present his keynote address. He sends his sincere regrets. We will announce a replacement keynote speaker once arrangements are finalized. Thank you for your understanding. 

We always have great entertainment at our national conferences and this year will be no different. We'll have all California entertainers including the Love in Motion Signing Choir; TCF favorite Alan Pedersen; and Cassidy Mueller and Chris Donohue, local favorites.

You may also call 1-800-433-1790 to book your flights, and please refer to the Authorization Number 2372DJ when you call. Please note there is a reservation service charge for all tickets issued by phone. Thank you to American Airlines for making this opportunity available to our members.

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Create a Website and Participate in the Walk to Remember
Friends Asking Friends® Fundraiser!

TCF's Friends Asking Friends® fundraiser for 2012 to honor the memory of your child, sibling, or grandchild and support the work of The Compassionate Friends is now open! You don't have to participate in the actual Walk to Remember to join in here. Visit www.tcfwalktoremember.org for complete information and to build your memorial website, whether as an individual or team (including teams created by Compassionate Friends Chapters). You can also join an existing team or simply make a donation. Your participation is truly appreciated! 

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Submit a Child's Name to Be Carried in the Walk to Remember!

You can now submit a child's name to be carried in the Walk to Remember by using the Name Submission Form.Volunteers will be carrying hundreds of pages of names in protective sleeves during the Walk to Remember which starts at the conference hotel at 8 a.m. Sunday, July 22. There is no charge to have a child's name carried during the Walk.

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• There will be over 100 workshops available on many topics related to the death of a child and there will be a full track of workshops for our many bereaved siblings who will be attending.
• We'll also have a host of sharing sessions on various grief related topics Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights
• Meet & Greets Thursday, July 19 for: Siblings; Grandparents; Online Support Community; TCF/USA Facebook members; and Regional Coordinators Meet & Greet with Chapter Leaders.
• The International Gathering will include a Spanish workshop and sharing session Thursday, July 19, 2012 for our Hispanic/Latino families and bilingual families. The workshop and sharing session are included with conference registration or $20 for those who may wish to attend just this function of the conference.
• Friday after the workshops is a free period for those attending and we always try to provide appropriate entertainment. We are pleased to announce "An Evening with Darcie Sims" where her topic will be: Finding Your Way Through Grief: Does Grief Come in "One Size Fits All?"
• Sibling trip Friday to Dave and Buster's  that includes a buffet and interactive and video games on the "Million Dollar Midway."
• Combine your California visit with a time of relaxation and meditation with a pre-conference excursion on Thursday, July 19 to the Huntington Library, art collection and botanical gardens, plus Monday, post-conference transportation to Disneyland (special discounted tickets available to purchase online direct from Disneyland). See below for more information.
• We are expecting a large turnout for TCF's 13th Walk to Remember this year, probably more than will be attending the conference as many from the local area turn out for the event, and people fly in from across the country just to participate.
• Don't miss ordering one of the "Remembrance of Love" memento fundraiser which includes a specially commissioned and designed stainless steel ornamental heart combined with the conference logo and a picture of a special child. These will be available to order shortly online and will be displayed at the conference.

We want you to feel comfortable when you arrive for the national conference and that's why we've published a three page brochure that all those registering will receive. It will answer many of your questions:

Tips to Have a Positive Conference Experience

Get a feel for what to expect at this year's national conference through highlights from last year's 2011 event in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota! Special thanks for highlights sponsors Amery Regional Medical Center and TCF's Manhattan Chapter!

"We welcome to this conference all who are grieving the death of a child, for grief is a universal language and one that TCF'ers around the world know all too well," says TCF/USA Executive Director Patricia Loder.

TCF Excursion Details for Huntington Library, Disneyland

Many of those coming to the conference will be combining it with a vacation as sunny California is a great vacation hotspot. We've arranged two opportunities to enjoy the landscape while letting others do the driving. Excursions are open only to those with conference registration.

Huntington Library: On Thursday, July 19, the bus leaves the hotel at 9:30 a.m. for the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. With three distinct facets, the Huntington is linked to research, education, and beauty. Visit www.huntington.org for information on what you'll see on the grounds and in the buildings. The bus arrives back at the hotel at 6 p.m. Complete cost of the excursion is $25 which includes transportation and entrance to all exhibits and areas. Food is available onsite but is not included. The excursion requires pre-registration and there are no cancellations after June 29, 2012.

Disneyland: On Monday, July 23, when you sign up during conference registration, TCF provides transportation via bus ($10 per person) to Disneyland. The bus leaves the hotel at 9:30 a.m. and arrives back at 10:45 p.m. We have made special arrangements so you can pre-purchase your tickets at a discounted price and not have to wait in the long lines at the entrance. To purchase your own tickets, visit http://www.disneyconventionear.com/ZMCG12D (Purchase Convention One-Day One-Park Tickets which run $66 to $71 or Convention 1-Day Park Hopper® which run $86 to $91 depending on age). If you are staying after the conference and wish a longer stay at Disneyland, other ticket packages are available at discounted prices through the same Disney website, but TCF will only have bus transportation available Monday.

Excursions require prepayment for Huntington Library and the bus for Disneyland. Refunds available until June 29th (if you purchase Disneyland tickets, see their site for their refund policies).

Conference Hotel Nearing Capacity Some Nights!

If you are seeking to stay at the conference host hotel, please make your reservations now. Although TCF has a room block that includes every room within the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa hotel for key nights, rooms for some of those nights are filled or will be shortly. Room charge is $129 per night plus tax of approximately 11%. The room block is available July 17-24. You can also receive the special room rate July 14-16 and July 25-27, but subject to more limited availability. Rooms are King Size (holds 2, roll-away bed available for $10 per night) or double queen (maximum 4 per room).

As long as rooms are available Online Reservations can be made. You can also call your reservation directly to the hotel at 714-540-7000. Please note that overflow hotel arrangements have been made at The Hotel Hanford (across the street from the host hotel). For reservations, call 877-426-3673. Mention The Compassionate Friends conference to receive TCF's room rate. To learn more about The Hotel Hanford, visit www.thehotelhanford.com.

Please note that the first night's deposit is required at the time you reserve your room. Should your plans change, this deposit will be refunded as long as the room is cancelled at least one day prior to the start of your reservation. Room block reservations will be taken until June 26th at both hotels or until the room block is sold out, whichever comes first.

There will be complimentary shuttles between the Hilton and John Wayne Airport (SNA) (see
Tips to Have a Positive Conference Experience for more information) as well as between The Hotel Hanford and SNA. If you will be flying in to Los Angeles International airport (LAX), we have arranged a special rate with the SuperShuttle of $36 (first person) and $9 for additional passengers (this will take you to either hotel) but you must reserve online in advance through TCF SuperShuttle Discount for those rates. Cab service will run approximately $125-$135 from the airport to either hotel (not including tip). For those persons driving in, on-site hotel parking at the Hilton for conference guests is $7 per night or Valet $25.00 per night. There is no charge for parking at the Hanford.

In addition to the Hanford, to ensure that everyone coming to Costa Mesa for the conference will have a hotel room available, TCF has added rooms at a second overflow hotel, the Wyndham Orange County, 3350 Avenue of the Arts in Costa Mesa. Queen/queen bed rooms are available for $129 per night plus taxes. Rooms are available Thursday, July 19-Monday July 23. Reservations can be made by calling 855-335-0283. Please identify yourself as being with The Compassionate Friends to receive these rates. Visit the hotel's website at Wyndham Orange County. Overnight parking is $17, valet parking $23.

The Hilton Orange County Costa Mesa Hotel is described as one "that exemplifies class, and elegance with a modern twist." You can read about the hotel in English, Spanish, and French at Hilton Orange County Costa Mesa.

Watch here for the latest details, as they develop, on this event!

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Comments from Compassionate Friends who attended the 34th National Conference held in Minneapolis:

"This conference was life changing for me--my daughter died last year. Thank you to everyone that made my experience possible."

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"The conference was great as usual. It is great to have a place like the National Conference to be ourselves. The unfortunate part is going home and back to the real world."

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"Attending the conference was the best thing I could have done for myself. It's a vacation with my son that I will take every year!!!"

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