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As you prepare to participate in the Arkansas Opportunity Online Broadband Summit, please note the event start and end times. The event will begin at shortly after noon on June 11, 2009 and conclude at 2:00 pm on June 12, 2009. Please plan your travel accordingly. If you have any questions, please email arsummit@opportunityonline.org.

While the summit will be a highly intensive discussion of library connectivity in Arkansas and your attendance is mandatory throughout both days' events, we do understand that a travel companion may be joining you.

Connected Nation is happy to accommodate your travel companion as possible. Travel companions can purchase meals for the summit (for meal prices please contact arsummit@opportunityonline.org). Connected Nation will also provide them with visitor and travel resources for your time in Little Rock which offers an array of activities. If you are bringing a travel companion, please email their name to arsummit@opportunityonline.org or call 1-866-882-3081. We will follow-up with you regarding your travel companion's needs.

Connected Nation, a national non-profit technology advocacy organization, that will partner with state library agencies participating in the Opportunity Online broadband grant program to produce state-level summits convening the leaders of library systems participating in the grant program as well as gather and activate local and state influencers with the power to support broadband in libraries, and inform strategies to improve and sustain connectivity.

The immediate objectives of these summits are to ensure high library participation in the Opportunity Online broadband grant program and to provide inspiration and education that informs the sustainability strategies created by each state library agency. The larger vision is to catalyze a lasting improvement in library Internet connectivity in each participating state.

OITP is the American Library Association's Office for Information Technology Policy. OITP has been engaged by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to advise the Arkansas State Library on the development of the sustainability plan that we will use to assure that adequate Internet bandwidth is available to all public libraries in Arkansas in the future.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is paying for this Arkansas Library Broadband Summit as part of its Opportunity Online program of support for our nation's public libraries. The Foundation has made grants to Connected Nation and to OITP to produce the summit and to assist with the development of a Arkansas sustainability plan.

This summit experience is unlike any other in the history of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's work with libraries. Unlike past events, the Arkansas Opportunity Online Summit is an opportunity to engage key leaders in government and the public sector and advocate the need of improved connectivity for all Arkansas public libraries. This event will ensure participants a continued advocacy role for their library and community.

One thing to remember is that this summit is about the experience. In events past, participants walked away to a "to-do list and action items." It is our hope that when you leave this summit, you have an increased desire to work tirelessly with your community, local government and state officials to affect change and improve broadband connectivity.

We would love to hear what you think about the summit before and after attending. You will have an opportunity to complete an evaluation at the summit, but in the meantime, feel free to send us your feedback to arsummit@opportunityonline.org.

Please note that you are our guest to the upcoming Opportunity Online Summit in Arkansas. With that said, you are to attend this event at no charge to yourself or your library thanks to a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. All charges will be reimbursed to you shortly after you attend the summit. There are a few things you need to know:

1. Connected Nation will be responsible for your meals and accommodations while at the summit. Your completed registration ensures that you will have a room awaiting you at the Peabody for the summit. You will also have meals and snacks available throughout the event.
2. When traveling to the Peabody by car, please print out a map of your trip from Map Quest or Google Maps. This map is mandatory for reimbursement of mileage. In the event that you do not print this map, Connected Nation staff will be on hand at the summit to assist you.
3. If you need to fly to the summit, Connected Nation will be happy to schedule your flight and pick-up from the airport to ensure the most affordable and timely trip. Connected Nation staff or a travel planner assigned by Connected Nation will be in touch with you regarding your flight.
4. Incidentals are a regular when traveling. Please account for them on your reimbursement form and we will do our best to reimburse you for all relevant incidentals.
5. Please download the Expense Reimbursement Form. This should be turned in at the summit or immediately following. Please allow a few weeks for your reimbursement check.
   

If you have any questions regarding the travel or reimbursement, please email arsummit@opportunityonline.org.

Your local partner is an advocate for your library. In some cases, your local partner is an active resource to your library (i.e. board trustee, friend of the library, etc.). In other cases, your local partner may support the library by securing much needed funding (i.e. mayor, commissioner, etc.). In any case, your local partners needs to be able to advocate the needs of your library and be connected to those in the community that can support increased connectivity.


Suggested local partners include:

• Mayor
• Councilperson
• Commissioner
• Budget director
• Board trustee
• Friend of the library
• Local business leader
• Chamber of commerce representative
• Technology ambassador
  

If you are struggling to determine a local partner well suited to attend the summit, please feel free to email arsummit@opportunityonline.org or call 1-866-882-3081 for assistance. The Arkansas State Library and Connected Nation are always happy to help.

Your Local Partner can register in one of three ways:

• The web portal (http://www.opportunityonline.org/) using the Arkansas access code found on the summit invitation;
• Call 1-866-882-3081 to speak with Connected Nation staff to register over the phone; or
• We can call your local partner directly. Please email your local partner's name and phone number to arsummit@opportunityonline.org.
  

Connected Nation is happy to make this registration process as easy as possible for you and your local partner.

Travel to the summit may seem daunting. If you need any assistance to secure a flight, rental car, or any other mode of transportation, Connected Nation is ready to help. Please email us your travel needs or a completed Flight Request to arsummit@opportunityonline.org. Connected Nation will get you a travel itinerary with everything you need to make your trip a success.