“Looking Into The Future”

AMCEA’s 47^th annual conference in association with MCA
October 15 – 18, 2000
White Plains, New York

Details | Program Highlights | Special Events | Schedule of Events 
Travel/Directions

DETAILS

Hotel 

The Renaissance Westchester hotel is located in White Plains, New York. The phone number is 914-694-5400.  Nestled on 30 acres of scenic New York countryside, the hotel has a restaurant, bar with entertainment, indoor swimming pool, and fitness room.  For more information go to website www.renaissancehotels.com

HOTEL REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Renaissance Westchester Hotel

80 West Red Oak Lane
White Plains, New York  10604
1-800-HOTELS 

AMCEA/MCA Conference rate of $145 available until September 15, 2000.  After this date reservations are accepted on a space available basis.   If room block fills before deadline, hotel will refer delegates to nearby properties.

 

Attendees can fly into Westchester County, JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark airports.   Ground travel options to the hotel are numerous and should be prearranged for best prices.  Click here for more travel details. 

Conference Attire 

Dress is business casual for all program and networking events.  The hotel grounds have great walking paths, so bring comfortable shoes.  The only exception is President’s dinner, which is formal attire.  As usual, tuxedo rental will be available with fittings taking place during the Sunday Exhibit Day event.  Estimated cost is $95.

 

Registration

DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT IS SEPTEMBER 15, 2000.  

To Register on-line click here! Or visit www.magazine.org/mca. Or by mailing/faxing the registration form.

After check in at the hotel, pick up your name badge, registration gift, and materials on Saturday afternoon from 2:00 – 4:00 or Sunday from 9:00 – 1:00.  Check in is located on the second floor at the top of the stairs off the hotel lobby.  

 

Questions ??

Please call AMCEA at 410-992-7609 on Monday through Friday from 9 – 5 with any questions regarding the conference.  

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Let us dare to imagine and dare to be transformed as we consider the challenges and opportunities of the 21^st century and our role in it.  This year’s conference will focus on “Looking Into the Future.”  What will the media credit professional need to know to succeed going forward?  Change is already fast upon us, what else can we expect to come?  How will our relationship with our customers change? What technology is available to assist us? How will legalities of the 21^st century impact our roles? 

Keynote Speaker – Edward Barlow Jr.,  President, Creating the Future, Inc.

Edward Barlow Jr. is one of America’s leading futurists, able to deliver meaningful information about the future in a dynamic and entertaining manner.  He captivates audiences with his intuitive and well- studied perspective concerning what lies ahead.  He will explore anticipated economic, technological, social, and political trends and will suggest personal, professional and organizational strategies that can be used to navigate these changes and create a preferred future.  You will long remember his power-packed message. 

 Scheduled Program Topics Include:

Roundtables 

Roundtables are viewed as one of the most valuable experiences from our conference program.  These concentrated, small group interactive sessions provide a great opportunity to learn from your peers.   Choose the topics that you are most interested in discussing from a list that includes everything from collection strategies, credit card processing, collection agency management, Internet solutions, imaging technology, and credit approval.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Saturday Night Welcome Reception: Mix and mingle with old and new peers, exhibitors, and guests over munchies and drinks.  Reception will be in the Hudson room, located just off the hotel lobby area – check in and join the crowd!   

Sunday New Member/First Time Attendee Session: New members and first time attendees don’t miss this event! This is an opportunity to learn how to get the most out of the conference; meet your conference mentor, connect with other first timers, and get a great start to the conference experience. 

Sunday Exhibitor’s Day: “Who wants to be a millionaire?”  “Greed” “21” Get with the game show craze and be ready to phone a credit manager, poll the audience, answer credit trivia questions, and who knows what else, in a chance to win fabulous prizes!   Enjoy food and beverage while you visit a wide array of vendors from e-commerce to imaging, to the latest collection techniques as this year’s event promises to be packed with loads of fun!

Monday Spouse Tour, sponsored by Newsweek: Buses will take spouses/guests into the city for a tour of NBC, then on to the Museum of Modern Art for a tour and lunch.  The afternoon will be complete with a guided shopping tour of 5^th avenue by  Rosalie Grasso!  Buses will then return to hotel by early evening.

Monday night Dessert Reception hosted by MCA:  Relax and network over dessert and drinks with your peers from other media professional associations.  Enjoy the atmosphere in the hotel Mansion’s Red Oak Terrace Room.

Tuesday night Host Tour, sponsored by The New York Times:  Buses will take attendees from the hotel to World Yacht Cruise docks for a Sunset Dinner Cruise along the New York City skyline.  Enjoy an elegant buffet, open bar, and disc jockey musical entertainment.  Buses will return attendees to the hotel around 11:00 p.m. or they can stay in the city and come back on their own.

Wednesday night AMCEA President’s Reception and Dinner,  sponsored by Newsday: Say goodbye for another year to all your new and old friends as we recognize the achievements of the past year and look forward to those of the future.  Give your regards to Broadway as attendees dress up in their best black tie for a musical production celebrating “Broadway’s Best” to end the event. 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Sat, Oct 14
	Delegates Arrive in New York!
11:00 – 1:00	AMCEA Board of Directors Meeting	Incoming and Outgoing Board Members
2:00 – 4:30	Registration
5:30 – 8:00	AMCEA Board of Directors Dinner	By invitation
8:30 – 11:00	Welcome Reception	All are invited!  New members, members, delegates, exhibitors, guests.
Sun, Oct 15
9:00 – 10:00	Exhibitors/ Board breakfast buffet	By Invitation
9:00 – 1:00	Registration
10:30 - 12:00	New Member/ First Time Attendee Session
1:00 – 5:00	Exhibit Day Event	Come see all the new products and services available to the media credit professional.
Evening	On your own
Mon, Oct 16
7:30 – 8:45	Continental Breakfast
8:45 – 9:15	First AMCEA Business Session	AMCEA members only
9:15 – 9:30	Break
9:30 – 10:45	Welcome  Remarks Tom Riggleman, AMCEA President Nina Link, MCA President James J. Grasso, NY Times Host Janet L. Robinson, NY Times President and General Mgr.  John M. Geddes, NY Times Deputy Managing Editor
10:45 – 12:00	Looking into the Future Edward D. Barlow, Jr , President Creating the Future, Inc.	Keynote address
12:00 – 1:30	Lunch
1:30 – 2:30	Internet Billing and Payment Systems Randall E.  Dolan, Regional Director “billserve.com”	Learn the fundamentals of Business to Business  and Business to Consumer  internet billing and payment systems.
2:30 – 2:45	Break
2:45 – 4:15	Legalities of the 21st Century	This panel of attorneys will review legal issues surrounding securing advertising space in the 21st century. Fax, e-mail, electronic signatures, internet law, liability issues, disclaimers, and much, much, more.  Come ready with questions!
4:30 – 6:00	AMCEA Steering/Board Reception	By Invitation
6:30 – 8:30	MCA Host Event – Dessert Reception	All are invited!  Relax and network with members from other media credit associations.
Tues, Oct 17
7:30 – 8:30	Continental Breakfast
8:30 – 9:30	Imaging Best Practices Panel  Facilitated by Bill Kazanecki, AMCEA Imaging Project Chairperson	Get an update on the status of electronic tear sheets and other imaging technology.  Learn about how imaging is being handled at several media companies and what plans they have for the future of this technology.
9:30 – 10:30	Working with Media Buying Services Best Practices Panel  Mark Stepuszek, Tribune Company Joe Astino, Boston Globe Michael Nulte, New York Times	What’s a media buying service and what impact will they have on the billing and collection function?  A panel of media credit professionals discuss best practice procedures in place.
10:30 – 10:45	Break
10:45 – 11:45	Credit Evaluation For Dot-Com and Other Non-Traditional Companies DiSilva and Partners	Learn how to evaluate non-traditional E-commerce companies for credit from an active merger and acquisition firm.  Most start up ventures have profiles different from credit histories of established companies.  This session will offer insights from the world of venture capital into how to treat new businesses that seek space in our publications, or on TV and radio stations.
11:45 – 1:15	Lunch
1:15 – 3:45	Roundtables	Here is your chance to learn from your peers and find out what's working in other shops.  Select 5 30-minute roundtable sessions on a variety of media credit related topics.
4:15 – 11:00	NY Times Host Event	World Yacht Cruise Dinner Tour
Wed, Oct 18
7:30 – 8:30	Continental Breakfast
8:30 – 9:00	Agency/Media Interview	A noted financial journalist will conduct a candid interview with a camouflaged agency executive.  This tongue-in-cheek look at what agencies really think of their print/broadcast/on-air brethren will be funny, insightful, and entertaining.
9:00 – 10:15	Agency Executive  Panel	This panel of agency executives from top NY agencies including Young & Rubicam, Ogilvy & Mather,  Saatchi & Saatchi, Carat, and others, will  talk about improving the relationship between the back offices of media and advertising agencies by providing their insights on billing and collection from an agency perspective.  Come prepared with questions and ideas for process improvements!
10:15 – 10:30	Break
10:30 – 12:00	Agency Electronic Invoicing and E-commerce Best Practices Presentation. Ellen Weinstein, Vice President, E-Commerce Initiatives from Columbine JDS	Find out about current best practice on electronic invoicing with broadcast using SpotData.
12:00 – 12:15	AMCEA 2nd General Bus Session
12:15 – 1:30	Lunch
1:30 – 3:30	Coaxing Creativity When Resolving Problems Anita E. Hallanger, Hallanger Consulting and Clare Novak, Novak and Associates.	Increase your chances for future success by improving your leadership skills.  By the very nature of our  work, credit professionals deal with problems every day.  Often, the most obvious solutions have already been tried, and still problems persist.  The value of applying the creative approach is evident.  This high energy, interactive session will give you pointers on incorporating creative thinking and problem solving into your repertoire of business expertise.
3:45 – 4:45	AMCEA Incoming Board Meeting	Incoming AMCEA Board only
6:00 – 10:30	President’s Reception & Dinner Event	Broadway Revue – A night of Broadway productions and excitement!

 

TRAVEL/DIRECTIONS

Directions to Renaissance Westchester Hotel

There are many ways to get to the 2000 AMCEA/MCA Conference.  The following travel suggestions range from difficult to easy, cheap to expensive, quick to time-consuming.  Whatever your budget, if you follow the attached there is no reason you can’t join us to look into the future.  We’ll see you in White Plains in October.

 The hotel is located at 80 West Red Oak Lane in White Plains, NY.  The hotel phone number is (914) 694-5400.

If you use Westchester County Airport

Westchester County airport (designation HPN) is six miles north of the hotel.  The airport is served by American Airlines, Business Express, Comair, Continental Airlines, Northwest Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways.

On-site taxi service is provided by DLC Ground Transportation. (914- 946-6664/fax: 914- 592-2629)  Fares into White Plains range from $14-17 per person.  The ride door-to-door last about 20 minutes.

Central Taxi Service is available at (914) 948-3100.

If you’re arriving in a small group (up to 4 people with 4 large bags) Riverside Limousine has Lincoln Town cars available for $48 cash/$52 credit cards.  Riverside needs 4 hours notice.

Tauro Limousine Service, Inc. – (914) 779-6420 or Fax: (914) 476-3522.  Call Tauro for current prices.

County Limousine, White Plains, NY - (800) 777-CNTY or (914) 948-7777.  Call County Limo for current prices.

Greenwich Express, Portchester, New York – (914- 934-9323, 888 956-6100, Fax 914 690-9150)  Advanced reservations required.  Contact Greenwich Express for direct current prices.

Westchester Express (800-532-3730) offers direct service to the hotel, but there are intermediate stops.  Advance reservations are required.  Contact Westchester Express for current prices.

If you’re long on time, but short on budget, you can fly into one of New York’s major airports.  With a Saturday night stay you’ll save a bundle on airfare.  Once you’ve arrived in the metropolitan New York area we strongly advise that you do not take a cab to the hotel.  Once the taxi leaves the city, you have to pay for its return – whether your in the cab or not.  Here are a few less expensive alternatives:

From Newark (designation EWR)

Olympia Airport Express (212-964-6233, 718-622-7700, 908-354-3330) stops at every terminal at Newark Airport.  Buses depart Newark airport every 5 to 10 minutes.  Take Olympia to the Bus center at 121 E 41^st Street.  Grand Central Station is located one block to the north.  Take Metro-North railroad’s (800 METRO-INFO, 212-532-4900, http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us) Harlem Line to White Plains station.  The train ride takes approximately 45 minutes.  On weekdays, every other train is an express from Grand Central to White Plains.  Express trains take 35 minutes.  Local and express tickets are the same price.  Off-Peak is anytime Saturday, Sunday and holidays in both directions.  Monday-Friday off-peak is before 5 a.m. or after 9 a.m. to New York.  To White Plains off-peak is before 4 p.m. or after 8:00 p.m.  A one-way, Off-Peak ticket is $4.25; One –way Peak ticket is $5.75.  When you arrive in White Plains, Central Taxi Service is available at (914) 948-3100.

From LaGuardia Airport (designation LGA)

New York Airport Service (212-875-8200) operates buses from LaGuardia airport to the bus center on Park Avenue (between 41^st & 42^nd Sts.)  Buses leave the airport every 20-30 minutes and arrive at the bus center in approximately 30-40 minutes.  Fare is $10 one way/$17 round trip).  Grand Central Station is located one block to the north.  Take Metro-North railroad’s (800 METRO-INFO, 212-532-4900, http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us) Harlem Line to White Plains station.  In White Plains, Central Taxi Service is available at (914) 948-3100.

From JFK Airport (designation JFK)

New York Airport Service (212-875-8200) operates buses from JFK to the bus center on Park Avenue (between 41^st & 42^nd Sts.)  Buses leave the airport every 20-30 minutes and arrive at the bus center in approximately 40 minutes-1 hour.  Fare is $13 one way/$23 round trip).  Grand Central Station is located one block to the north.  Take Metro-North railroad’s (800 METRO-INFO, 212-532-4900, http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us) Harlem Line to White Plains station.  In White Plains, Central Taxi Service is available at (914) 948-3100.

Red Dot shuttle transportation from LaGuardia airport costs $33.00 per person, one way.  (Prices subject to change) Red Dot Shuttle makes stops at the Renaissance Westchester Hotel and can be obtained from the airport ground transportation area.

Connecticut Limousine offers transportation from JKF/LGA for $29.00 per person, one way and Newark Airport for $35.00 per person, one way.  (Prices subject to change)  This shuttle does not stop at the Renaissance, rather stops at the Crown Plaza in White Plains.  The Renaissance is just an $8.00 cab ride away.

If you’ve rented a car and/or you’re coming from:

Westchester Airport

Follow 684, SOUTH to the exit for 287, EAST/NEW ENGLAND.  Stay in right lane of 287.  Get off at EXIT 9 S-N.  Stay in LEFT LANE ONLY go 2 lights, where you will make a left onto KENILWORTH ROAD  (you will be crossing over 287).  At next light, make another LEFT onto WESTCHESTER AVENUE, WEST.  Travel ½ mile.  Pass the two parkway entrances.  On your right you will see signs for RENAISSANCE.  Make right onto WEST RED OAK LANE and follow up hill to end for lobby entrance.

 Connecticut/Merritt Parkway

Take the MERRITT PARKWAY, SOUTH to the exit for 287 WEST.  This will put you onto WESTCHESTER AVENUE, WEST.  Stay on Westchester Avenue for approximately 50 feet.  On your right, you will see signs for RENAISSANCE.  Take a right onto WEST RED OAK LANE.  Follow up hill to end for lobby entrance.

Connecticut Turnpike/I-95

Take I-95, SOUTH to EXIT 21 (287 WEST).  Follow this EXIT 9 N-S.  This will put you on WESTCHESTER AVENUE, WEST.  Travel l/2 mile.  You will see signs for RENAISSANCE.  Take a right onto WEST RED OAK LANE.  Follow up hill to end for lobby entrance.

LaGuardia or Kennedy Airports

Take ROUTE 678 (VAN WYK EXPRESSWAY) over the WHITESTONE BRIDGE.  Follow signs for the HUTCHINSON RIVER PARKWAY, NORTH.  Continue on this for about 20 minutes, EXIT 26W/287 WEST.  Immediately get in center lane.  Travel l/8 mile.  On your right you will see signs for RENAISSANCE.  Make a right on WEST RED OAK LANE.  Continue up hill to end for lobby entrance.

Newark Airport

Take the NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE, NORTH to I-95, NORTH, over the GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE.  Proceed NORTH on  I-95 to EXIT 21 (287 WEST).  Follow this to EXIT 9 N-S.  This puts you on WESTCHESTER AVENUE, WEST.  Travel ½ mile.  You will see signs for RENAISSANCE.  Make a right on WEST RED OAK LANE and follow up hill to end for lobby entrance.

Long Island

Take I-95, NORTH, to EXIT 21 (287 WEST).  Follow this to EXIT 9 N-S.  This will put you on WESTCHESTER AVENUE, WEST.  Travel ½ mile.  On your right you will see signs for RENAISSANCE.  Take RIGHT onto WEST RED OAK LANE and follow up hill to end for lobby entrance.

West Side of Manhattan

Take WEST SIDE HIGHWAY/HENRY HUDSON (A NORTH for approximately 20 minutes, over toll bridge.  Continue NORTH.  Highway becomes SAW MILL PARKWAY NORTH.  Exit 4/CROSS COUNTY PARKWAY EAST.  Keep LEFT.  EXIT HUTCHINSON RIVER PARKWAY, NORTH.  Continue for approximately 15 minutes and EXIT 26W/287 WEST.  Immediately get in center lane.  Travel 1/8 mile.  On your right you will see signs for RENAISSANCE.  Make a right onto WEST RED OAK LANE and follow up hill to end for lobby entrance.

East Side of Manhattan

Take FDR DRIVE, NORTH to TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE, to the BRUCKNER EXPRESSWAY (I-95).  Continue on this for about 20 minutes.  Get off at EXIT 287, WEST.  EXIT 9 N-S, which puts you onto WESTCHESTER AVENUE, WEST.  Travel ½ mile.  On your right you will see signs for RENAISSANCE.  Turn RIGHT onto WEST RED OAK LANE and follow up hill to end for lobby entrance.

New Jersey (Garden State Parkway)

GARDEN STATE PARKWAY, NORTH.  EXIT 14-87S and 287B follow over TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE.  Exit onto 287 EAST.  Travel 6 miles, EXIT 9 S-N.  Stay in LEFT LANE ONLY.  This puts you on WESTCHESTER AVENUE, EAST.  Go 2 lights to KENILWORTH ROAD.  Make LEFT.  (You will be crossing over Route 287) and then another LEFT onto WESTCHESTER AVENUE, WEST.  Travel ¼ mile.  Pass the entrances to the Hutchinson River Parkway and the Merritt Parkway.  On your right you will see signs for RENAISSANCE.  Make a right on to WEST RED OAK LANE and follow up hill to end for lobby entrance.

By train

For train service to the area from the North East corridor, arrive at either New Rochelle, New York or Stamford, Connecticut stations.  New Rochelle is approximately 10 miles away and Stamford is 15 miles away.  Schedule, fare, reservation and ticket information can be obtained from http://www.amtrak.com.  Both stations usually have taxicabs available.  Use taxi service to the hotel.  The average taxi fare is $15.00 - $35.00.

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