R 061733Z APR 12
UNCLASSIFIED//
MARADMIN 199/12
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/WOMEN MARINES ASSOCIATION (WMA) 27TH BIENNIAL CONVENTION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE //
POC/C. M. NELSON/CAPT/UNIT:MPE/-/TEL:(703)784-9371/TEL:DSN 278-9371//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. THIS MARADMIN ANNOUNCES THE 27TH BIENNIAL WOMEN MARINES ASSOCIATION CONVENTION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE. THE CONFERENCE FEATURES SPECIALLY TAILORED WORKSHOPS FOR ACTIVE DUTY MARINES. WORKSHOPS AND OTHER EVENTS INCLUDE: MENTORING FOR SUCCESS IN AND AFTER THE CORPS, MODERATED BY KATHLEEN CARROLL, FORMER USMC OFFICER AND CURRENT EMPLOYMENT BRAND MANAGER OF MILITARY RELATIONS FOR AMAZON.COM; MARINES AND THE FEMALE ENGAGEMENT TEAMS, MODERATED BY LIEUTENANT COLONEL JULIE NETHERCOT; TELLING OUR MARINE STORIES PANEL OF FEMALE MARINE AUTHORS, MODERATED BY MITZI MANNING, COLONEL, USMC, RETIRED; AND VETERANS BENEFITS AND SPECIAL CONCERNS, MODERATED BY DR. BETTY MOSELEY BROWN, FORMER USMC SNCO AND CURRENT ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF VA CENTER FOR WOMEN VETERANS. AT PREVIOUS WMA CONVENTIONS, SPECIAL GUESTS HAVE INCLUDED THE COMMANDANT AND SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE MARINE CORPS.  THIS YEAR'S GUEST SPEAKER AT THE OPENING BANQUET IS BRIGADIER GENERAL LORI REYNOLDS, COMMANDING GENERAL, MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT PARRIS ISLAND/EASTERN RECRUITING REGION.
2. THE CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD 31 AUGUST-4 SEPTEMBER 2012 AT THE HYATT REGENCY PHILADELPHIA AT PENN'S LANDING, PHILADELPHIA, PA. THE WOMEN MARINES ASSOCIATION (WMA) IS A CIVILIAN NON-PROFIT, VETERANS ASSOCIATION COMPRISED OF WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED OR ARE SERVING HONORABLY IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS ACTIVE OR RESERVE COMPONENTS. THE MISSION OF WMA INCLUDES THE PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF THE HISTORY AND TRADITIONS OF WOMEN WHO HAVE HONORABLY SERVED OUR NATION AND CORPS. WMA CONDUCTS PROGRAMS FOR CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES BY SPONSORING A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR MARINES AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, AS WELL AS SUPPORTING THE MCJROTC AWARDS PROGRAM.
3. ATTENDANCE IS OPEN TO MARINES SERVING IN AN ACTIVE DUTY OR RESERVE STATUS AND ALL FORMER MARINES. COMMANDING OFFICERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO SUPPORT ATTENDANCE IN ORDER TO FURTHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR PERSONNEL. ISSUANCE OF TAD ORDERS, TO INCLUDE THE CONFERENCE FEE, TRANSPORTATION, LODGING, AND PER DIEM IS AUTHORIZED. IF FUNDS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, PERMISSIVE TAD ORDERS MAY BE ISSUED.  ONLINE REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.WOMENMARINES.ORG. THE CONFERENCE FEE FOR MARINES ON ORDERS WHEN REGISTERING IS 260 DOLLARS.  THE CONFERENCE FEE FOR MARINES ON ORDERS INCLUDES REGISTRATION AND ALL EVENTS. ALL OTHER ATTENDEES MUST PAY THE INITIAL REGISTRATION FEE OF 50 DOLLARS BEFORE 15 JULY 2012 OR 60 DOLLARS AFTER 15 JULY 2012 AND CHOOSE A PACKAGE TO GUARANTEE ENTRANCE INTO THEIR CHOICE OF THE MAJOR EVENTS OF THE CONFERENCE.
4. ATTENDEES MUST REPORT ON THEIR TRAVEL CLAIM ALL MEALS THEY RECEIVED THAT WERE COVERED IN THE CONFERENCE FEE.
5. IN ORDER TO FACILITATE ATTENDANCE AND COMMAND REPRESENTATION, HQMC, MPE WILL FUND THE CONFERENCE FEE OF 260 DOLLARS FOR 25 MARINES TO ATTEND.  NCOIC'S AND OIC'S MAY EMAIL REQUESTS FOR CONSIDERATION TO CAPT NELSON AT CAROLYN.NELSON@USMC.MIL BY 01 JUNE 12; INCLUDE THE NAME OF THE MARINE, RANK/GRADE, BILLET, DUTY STATION, EMAIL AND WORK PHONE NUMBER.
6. THE CONFERENCE LOCATION IS THE HYATT REGENCY PHILADELPHIA AT PENN'S LANDING, 201 SOUTH CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS BLVD, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106. HOTEL RESERVATIONS CAN BE MADE BY CALLING 215-928-1234 OR AT WWW.HYATTREGENCYPHILADELPHIA.COM. WHEN MAKING HOTEL RESERVATIONS INDICATE THAT YOU WILL BE ATTENDING THE WMA CONVENTION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE. ROOM RATE FOR CONFERENCE ATTENDEES IS 119 DOLLARS FOR ONE TO FOUR GUESTS, NOT INCLUDING STATE AND LOCAL TAXES.
7. THE UNIFORM OF THE DAY FOR ACTIVE DUTY AND RESERVE MARINES ATTENDING IS SERVICE "C" WITH RIBBONS AND FOR THE OPENING AND CLOSING BANQUETS SERVICE "A" WITH RIBBONS AND BADGES, OR DRESS BLUE "B" OR HIGHER EQUIVALENT.
8. THIS MARADMIN IS APPLICABLE TO THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE.
9. THE WMA IS A NON-FEDERAL ENTITY WHOLLY INDEPENDENT OF THE MARINE CORPS.
10. RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY (SES) MR. M. F. APPLEGATE, DIRECTOR, MANPOWER PLANS AND POLICY DIVISION.//