2009 National Paperhanger’s Convention & Tradeshow
Niagara Falls, NY
September 9-12, 2009


Hotel
Getting There
Convention
Certified Paperhanger Program
Schedule
General Information
Topics and Speakers
Tradeshow
Registration
Contact Us

HOTEL

Hotel:  Crowne Plaza Hotel
Address: 300 Third Street, Niagara Fall, NY 14303
Telephone: (800) 95-Falls (32557)
Room Rate: $139.00 single/double occupancy for a Traditional Room
There are smoking rooms available.

HOTEL
Conveniently located minutes from I-I90, the Crowne Plaza is in the heart of downtown Niagara Falls and only a few short blocks from the American Falls. The Hotel is across the street from the Seneca Niagara Casino and adjacent to the Conference Center. The Crowne Plaza is two blocks away from the Canadian Border.

Guest Room and Hotel Amenities  
The Crowne Plaza’s 391 deluxe guest rooms and suites feature top-of-the-line-linens and complimentary high-speed wireless internet service. There is a spacious indoor swimming pool, fitness center, Starbucks Coffee Shop, sports bar, full service upscale restaurant, room service, concierge. There is a $3.00 a day parking fee.
Other amenities include:

• In-Room Movies
• Walk-in Showers
• Coffee Maker
• 25” Flat Screen Television
• Complimentary Wireless High Speed Internet
• Iron/Ironing Board
• Hairdryer
• Wake-up calls

All scheduled events will take place at the Conference Center adjacent to the hotel.  Should you need to send packages to the hotel, include your name, arrival date and the words “hotel guest” on the mailing label.

All reservations should be made directly with the Crowne Plaza to ensure availability and rate.  Reservations by telephone at (800) 2-Crowne) will be accepted.  If calling, ask for the National Guild of Professional Paperhanger’s rate. The group’s room block will be released on August 7, 2009.  All reservations received after this date will be reserved on a space available basis at the group rate.  NGPP’s preferred room rate is $139.00 per room per night plus tax for single/double occupancy for a traditional style room.  The group rate has been extended two days pre and two days post the event for those wishing to spend a few days in Niagara Falls.

Please note the Crowne Plaza is a non-smoking facility. 

GETTING THERE

Buffalo-Niagara Airport
The Crowne Plaza is located 28 minutes from the airport. There is no hotel shuttle but there is shuttle service available. Shuttle service is expensive and you may wish to consider renting a car.

Make a slight turn left onto NY-33 W; merge onto 1-90 E/New York State Thruway E toward !-290/Niagara Falls/Albany; merge onto 1-290 w/Youngman Exwy via exit 50 toward Niagara Falls; merge onto NY State Thruway/1-190 N toward Niagara Falls (Portions Tolls); Take the R. Moses Pkwy exit-#21-toward Niagara Reservation/State Park; merge onto Robert Moses State Pkwy N; Take exit City Traffic; at the second light make a left onto Rainbow Blvd; turn Right onto Third Street.

Driving Directions
From Albany and Areas East
Take I-90 West to I-290 West to I-190 North; Merge onto the Robert Moses Parkway North Exit-#21; Stay in right hand lane on the Robert Moses Parkway and exit toward city traffic; at the second traffic light, turn left onto Rainbow Blvd; turn Right onto Third Street.

From Cleveland
Take I-90 East to 1-290 West to I-190 North; merge onto Robert Moses Parkway North Exit-#21; stay in right lane and exit towards city traffic; at the second traffic light, turn Left onto Rainbow Blvd; Turn Right onto Third Street.

From Pittsburgh
Take I-279 North to I-79 North to I-90 East to I-290 West to I-190 North; Merge onto Robert Moses Parkway North Exit-#21; stay in the Right hand lane and exit toward city traffic; at the second light turn Left onto rainbow Blvd and then right onto Third Street.

NIAGARA FALLS  ATTRACTIONS

• Niagara Falls State Park-Cave of the Winds, Maid of the Mist, etc.
• Aquarium of Niagara
• Daredevil Museum
• Haunted House
• Niagara’s Wax Museum
• Rainbow Helicopter Tours
• Seneca Niagara Casino
• Thrill Ride Niagara
• Thunder Theater

What to Wear
Days are usually mild and evenings cool.

CONVENTION

Come and enjoy the seminars, the food, the entertainment, the demonstrations and most of all, the unlimited networking opportunities with professionals like yourself.  The Conference Center offers state of the art facilities with lots of room to explore in comfort.

Events

• Lift Certification
• Table Top Demonstrations
• CP study class
• High End Application
• Winning Walls With Wallcovering Luncheon
• Tradeshow with Solutions and Ideas
• Website Design
• Wall Preparation
• Paste Machine Demonstrations
• Truck Show Off
• Group Challenges
• Priceless Networking

CERTIFIED PAPERHANGER PROGRAM

You have worked hard to become a professional paperhanger.  Now is the time to demonstrate and validate your qualifications by earning the Certified Paperhanger (C.P.) designation.

The NGPP has established a national certification program for members of the wallcovering installation industry.  The purpose of this program is two-fold: to help consumers determine the qualifications of contractors and to permit members of the profession to demonstrate that their knowledge meet or exceed the industry’s highest standards.

By achieving C.P. status, you let your peers and customers know you are qualified by education and experience to work as a professional wallcovering installer and that you have satisfactorily demonstrated your knowledge and skill in a rigorous program that permits only the true professional to earn that coveted C.P. designation.

If you are interested in taking the Certified Paperhanger examination in Niagara Falls on Wednesday, September 9 at 6:00 p.m., you must complete the certification application process at least six weeks prior to the date of the exam.  For an application or further information, call NGPP’s National Office at (800) 254-NGPP (6477). There will be a study class prior to the exam on Wednesday afternoon.

SCHEDULE

All events will take place at the  Niagara Falls Conference Center, except for the optional pub crawl. This schedule is tentative and may change. When presenters are confirmed, names and biographies will be posted.

 GENERAL CONVENTION INFORMATION

Following is information you do not want to overlook.  Should you have questions, contact a member of the Guild’s National Office staff at (800) 254- NGPP or by emailing NGPP at ngpp@ngpp.org.

Registration
Installer registration fees cover all convention sessions, materials, breaks and scheduled food functions,. Optional events are not included. 

Don’t forget that there is a Participation Points Program. A member can earn points toward $50 off registration for the convention . Just go to the member’s only section on the website and complete the necessary form. If you do not have access to a computer, you may call National. If you register early and have not accumulated the necessary points, credit will be given if the points are earned by August 31st

Registrants must wear name badges at all times for admission to the various events. 

There are one-day fees, second person from the same company fees and guest fees available.  The one-day fees include all events on the day registered. Fees for the second person from the same company include the same items as the installer registration fees. Guest fees include the Thursday evening tradeshow and the welcome reception, the Winning Walls With Wallcovering luncheon on Friday, and the  awards banquet on Saturday. Guest fees do not include the breakfasts, sessions, or the optional activities.

Please note that PDCA Members and ASID Members may register at NGPP Member rates.

Registration Desk
Wednesday, September 9
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 10
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday, September 11
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.    
Saturday, September 12
7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Payment
All registrations must be accompanied by payment in the form of a check, credit card (VISA or MasterCard only) or bank transfer of funds.  Checks must be drawn in U.S. funds and made payable to NGPP.  Registrations cannot be processed without full payment .

Confirmation
Each registrant should check for confirmation of registration.  This confirmation will serve as a receipt of fees paid.  Badges and materials will be available at registration.

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations received before August 15, 2009 will warrant a refund less a $50 administration fee. There will be no refunds after August 15, 2009. All cancellations must be in writing. Any registrants with a death in the immediate family or faced with complications from a natural disaster will receive a credit voucher for the next year’s convention. Convention materials will be sent to registrants who do not receive a refund.

Special Assistance
NGPP’s staff will be happy to assist you with any special needs.  If you require special assistance, please notify NGPP in writing prior to August 28, 2009, so that your needs can be properly accommodated. If you are on a special diet, advanced accommodations with the conference center thru staff must be made.

Conference Center
All scheduled educational events will take place at the Conference Center, Old Falls Street, Niagara Falls.

Hotel
The group's room block will be released on August 7, 2009.  All reservations received after this date will be reserved on a space availability basis at the group rate. 

NGPP's preferred room rate is $139 per room per night plus tax for single or double occupancy.  The group rate has been extended three days pre and three days post the event for those wishing to spend a few days in Niagara Falls, based on availability of rooms at the time of reservation. Be sure you ask about the hotel’s cancellation policy when making your reservations.

Resources for your learning experience!
Each full convention registrant will receive one copy of all session handouts during educational sessions.  Certificates of attendance will be issued within two weeks of the convention’s conclusion.
 
Attire
Convention participants should wear casual attire throughout the event. Please be sure to bring a sweater or light jacket as meeting room temperatures tend to vary.

TOPICS AND SPEAKERS

Pre-Convention Features
There will be a hands on training on the safe use of scissor lifts and boon lifts. Upon passing a written test at the end of the class, the participant will be presented with an OSHA approved certification card, valid in all 50 states.

For those taking the CP test there will be a pre-test study class prior to the exam to help the tester prepare for the written exam.

There will be a wall preparation session to show the novice paperhanger as well as the seasoned installer the newest and best techniques to prepare the area for wallcovering.

Convention Features
Come prepared with business cards, questions, ideas, and ready to review and use new products and various industry services.  There will be information galore. There will hands on with Mylar, foil, muslin, murals and high end wallcovering. There will be about 12 pasting machines for you to experiment with and an area for  you to show off your truck or get ideas for your business vehicle.

Opening Tradeshow & Reception
The Opening Reception and Tradeshow is a great chance to mingle and network with manufacturers of the products installers use daily. We are trying a new venue- we have lots of room in the conference center so there will be hands on with vendors. Industry vendors are anxious to show and discuss their new products, unveil a few never before seen ones, answer questions about their services, and develop long-lasting relationships. There will be great food and fun galore!

Breakfast
Breakfast will also include the annual business meeting- a time to meet your board of directors (current and new) and see what is happening in the Guild.

Winning Walls With Wallcovering Luncheon
Again this year, The Zinsser Company, is sponsoring this annual NGPP awards program.  Winners of the Winning Walls With Wallcovering Contest will be announced and recognized during this event. There will be cash prizes, great national media recognition and all the excitement of a Hollywood gala for award recipients in three categories.  For more information about the WWWW contest, visit www.ngpp.org. If you entered the contest, please dress for pictures. You may be a winner. Also, if you are not a winner, you are eligible for a drawing for a free registration to next year’s convention .

Table Top Demonstrations
Participants will have a chance to be up close and personal to approximately 10 Hands-on! demonstrations on topics specifically designed to enhance one’s paperhanging skills. Gather around a table and speak one-on-one with experts. An insert will be provided with topics and presenters.

Awards Banquet
This is the time to recognize those members who have worked to build the Guild into the organization you can be proud to be a part of. There will also be the presentation of pins, 5 year, ten year, 15 year and 20 year membership.

TRADESHOW

The tradeshow will open on Thursday, September 10, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and reopen Friday morning, September 11 at 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. This is always a highlight of the convention. This year we will be having table tops and vendors with walls for demonstrations and local vendors. This will be a truly interactive participation with our attendees- a learning experience for all.

REGISTRATION

	By Mail Mail your registration form(s) with payment to:         NGPP         136 South Keowee Street         Dayton, Ohio 45402
	By Telephone or Fax Call or fax your registration with payment information to:          NGPP         (800) 254-NGPP (6477)         Fax: (937) 222-5794
	By Internet To register online click here.

GOT QUESTIONS?

NGPP
136 South Keowee Street
Dayton, OH 45402
(800) 254-NGPP
Fax: (937) 222-5794
ngpp@ngpp.org