Proposed ADA Rules Would Impact Meetings and Conferences

On June 17 new proposed Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations were published in the Federal Register. The notice includes proposed rules to amend the ADA regulation for public accommodations and commercial facilities.

Several articles discussing the possible impact of the proposed regulations are available:

Proposed ADA Rules Would Mean New Requirements for Meetings Industry (MImegasite)

Plan Seeks More Access for Disabled (New York Times)

Businesses Face Push to Expand Disabled Access (The Wall Street Journal)

Governance Survey - A Snapshot of a Governance Model

Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent governance survey. With the help of NOCA and ABNS we received 139 completed surveys. If you included your email address when you submitted the survey you will be receiving a copy of the final report soon.

To give you a sample of what to expect from the report, here is a snapshot of the typical certification program:

• Separately incorporated not-for-profit
• Certified fewer than 500 individuals last year
• Offers 5 or fewer voluntary credentials
• Has, or is planning to seek, third-party accreditation
• 15 or fewer certification board members
• Board members serve 3-5 year terms with 6-10 year term limits
• Certification board meets in person 2-4 times each year
• Certification board includes at least one public member

SeaCrest Races for the Cure

The mercury rose above 100 degrees and the humidity was thick, but that didn't stop Janice Moore and Cynthia Allen from walking the Race for the Cure in Washington, DC on June 7. The Komen race comes to the DC metro area each spring. It has rained in years past, flooding the course with ankle-deep water. A little shower would have been a welcomed relief to the heat and sun.

More than 50,000 people ran or walked the race, weaving their way around the monuments and office buildings. Getting a good pace going with 50,000 plus in front of you is difficult. We managed to finish the course, fill up on water, and head back home all before 10:00 a.m.

We're not sure how much money we helped raise last Saturday, but it was well worth the walk.