Join APHE for three days of professional networking and presentations that will enhance your humane education program. This is the national conference for humane educators!
We are thrilled to announce the following speakers and presentations for our conference:
- Kevin Archer - Food as a Teaching Medium for Humane Education
- Darlene Blackman, Marin Humane Society-Jumping for Joy: Compassionate Connections
- Courtney Campbell & Justin Kurup, East Bay SPCA - It’s Game Time! Incorporating Game-Based Learning into Everyday Curriculum
- Jennifer Dragotta, M.S. ED, ASPCA - Trends in Animal Sheltering for Humane Educators
- Lizzy Brown, Berkshire Humane Society - Creating Humane Heroes
- Kelsey Gilmore-Futeral Esq.,South Carolina Law Committee; HSUS & Kimberly Kelly, Esq, HSUS - Legal Resources for Animal Advocacy
- Stephanie Itle-Clark, Haley Courville Esq., & Heidi Colonna, The Humane Society of the United States - Program Development: From Nose to Tail
- Justin Kurup, East Bay SPCA - Unpacking Privilege
- Brian Ogle, Beacon College - Assessment and Application of Educational Media in Animal Facilities
- Michelle Ramos, Arizona Humane & Eric Wolfe, Arizona Animal Welfare League - Project 22, Helping Dogs and People Help Each Other
- Aldwin Roman, Charleston Animal Society & Bennett Simonsen, Charlotte Humane Society - Community Engagement through Cultural Understanding
- Shawna Weaver, College of St. Scholastica - Humane Education for a College-Aged Audience
A HUGE thank you to the following sponsors for making this year's conference possible:
Benefactor Level $2000
Mentor Level $1000
Supporter Level $250
Conference Schedule:
Wednesday, February 24th
12:30pm Conference Check-In @ American Theatre [446 King St, Charleston, SC 29403]
1:00pm Conference Begins
6:15pm Kickoff Mixer @ Charleston Animal Society [2455 Remount Road, N. Charleston, SC 29406]
- Bus leaves from the Hyatt at 6:00pm
Thursday, February 25th
8:30am Conference Check-In @ American Theatre [446 King St, Charleston, SC 29403]
9:00am Conference Begins
12:00pm Lunch
6:00pm Dinner and Auction @ Magnolia's Restaurant [185 E Bay St. Charleston, SC 29401]
- Bus leaves the Hyatt at 6:00pm, returns at 9:00pm
Friday, February 26th
9:00am Conference Begins @ American Theatre [446 King St, Charleston, SC 29403]
12:00pm Conference Concludes with Box Lunch
1:00pm *Optional* Excursion to the Birds of Prey [$45, See Below]
6:00pm *Optional* Excursion to a Cocktail Party at a Historic Charleston Home [Free, See Below]
We are thrilled to be holding a pre-conference workshop before the conference on Wednesday, February 24th.
Workshop Name: An introduction to evaluation for humane educators.
Presenter: Dr. Stephen Albone, Ph.D., CHES from SPANA
Summary: Most people would agree that the evaluation of educational interventions is important for all kinds of reasons. However undertaking an evaluation can be a daunting prospect. Thinking about an evaluation quickly raises many questions. What information should I collect? How will I collect it? How will I present my findings? And many other questions besides. The answers to these questions can rapidly become very technical, but that is a double edged sword. Whilst a technical evaluation can serve to make your work seem important, if it is poorly conducted it can be worse than undertaking no evaluation at all. Fortunately there are things that can be done that do not rely on a high degree of technical expertise. Learn how to avoid some common pitfalls and conduct a straightforward evaluation, the results of which can be easily communicated to an external audience.
Location: American Theatre
Date/Time: Wednesday, February 24, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Cost:$40/participant
REGISTER HERE for the pre-conference workshop
Conference Registration: Conference registration includes 3 days of presentations and workshops, the mixer, the auction and dinner, and all meals during the conference. Cost is $300 ($250 for members- become a member here for $50!). NOTE: Conference registration closes on February 16th.
Register by clicking the "Register" button in the darker-shaded box in the upper left hand corner of this Web page.
Scholarships: APHE is proud to offer limited scholarships to qualified members through the Nathania Gartman Memorial Scholarship Fund. The scholarship deadline has passed for this conference.
The conference hotel is the brand new beautiful Hyatt House/Place Charleston/Historic District [560 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403], just 3 blocks* from the conference location. Breakfast is included! Our group discount is as follows:
- $159/night Tuesday, Wednesday + Thursday night
- $175 for Friday
The group discount is available through January 25th which can be reserved using code G-APHE.
Although the two hotels adjoin the reservation departments are separate & you must register accordingly:
For a King Studio (with queen sleeper sofa) at Hyatt House please click here and enter code G-APHE at checkout or call 843-207-2299 & mention “Assoc. of Professional Humane Educators”
For Two Queens (with queen sleeper sofa- 3rd person is $10/night) at Hyatt Place please click here and enter code G-APHE at checkout or call 843-414-4900 & mention “Assoc. of Professional Humane Educators”. NOTE: Hyatt Place is sold out for Friday, February 26th.
*If there are mobility issues to get to/from the conference, please email conference@aphe.org for transportation options.
Excursions: We have 2 fantastic excursions planned for conference goers - both on Friday, February 26th after the conference concludes. Luckily, they are built into the schedule so you can do both!
Center for Birds of Prey
Ideally situated on a 152-acre campus near Charleston, the center is dedicated to the study of birds and their habitats, avian welfare, and to engaging the public in important environmental issues that affect birds and humans alike. We will see the fascinating birds, watch flight demonstrations and get a behind-the-scenes tour of the medical facility.
This excursions starts Friday, February 26th at 1pm from the Hyatt and returns at 5pm.
Price: $45
Find out more about the Center for Birds of Prey.
REGISTER HERE for the Birds of Prey
Cocktail Party
Let’s top off the amazing day with a complimentary cocktail party at the historical William Gibbes House. Built in 1772, it's located on Charleston’s charming South Battery Street. Charleston Animal Society’s Board President Elizabeth Bradham will open up her National Register Property to APHE members for a wonderful capstone cocktail party!
This excursion starts Friday, February 26th at 6pm from the Hyatt. Transportation is provided only TO the cocktail party. After the party, either walk two miles through the bustling Charleston streets back to the hotel, enjoy an evening of entertainment at one of the many establishments along the way, or take a pedicab, free trolly, or taxi. If you would like assistance in planning your return to the hotel, we are happy to help! Please email conference@aphe.org.
Price: Free!
Check out the Bob Villa tour of Gibbes House.
Unfortunately, registration is closed for the Cocktail Party
Auction: Join us on February 25th for a complimentary dinner along with silent and live auctions to benefit the Nathania Gartman Memorial Scholarship Fund. Quality humane education materials as well as fun items in a range of prices will be included.
Contributions from individuals, businesses, and organizations are critical to the success of the benefit auction. The valuable and unique items contributed from around the country are what make this auction so special. APHE encourages its members to solicit donations or to donate your special purchases to help raise money for this vital cause.
- Auction Information and Donation Form
- Sample Letter to Solicit Donations
Please send any auction donations with the donation form to the following address:
Charleston Animal Society
Attn: De Daltorio
2455 Remount Rd.
North Charleston, SC 29406
If you would like to volunteer to help with setting up the auction, conducting the auction, or cleaning up after the auction, please contact us at auction@aphe.org.
We have two fantastic options for exhibiting at this year's conference:
Vendors
Do you have something that you would like to sell at the conference? Apply for a vendor booth! Vendor booths will be open to attendees during special exhibiting breaks. Vendor applications are due January 10th.
Vendor Application
Sharing Corral/Poster Sessions
Do you have something you would like to share with other humane educators? Conference attendees have the opportunity to showcase their new and innovative programs, lessons and resources at the sharing corral. Participants will display information and talk to attendees during special exhibitor breaks. Sharing Corral/Poster Session applications are due January 24th.
Sharing Corral/Poster Sessions Application
Refund Policy
- All cancellations, refund requests and registration transfers must be communicated to the conference coordinators at conference@aphe.org.
- Registration transfers are allowed. They must be coordinated by the individuals involved and the names of those involved must be communicated to the conference coordinators before the start of the conference.
- If a cancellation is required:
- A full refund minus a $25 processing fee up until 10 days before the first day of the conference can be requested. First day of the conference is defined as the day the presentations start.
- After the 10 day window, no refunds will be given.
- No refunds for the excursion will be given. However, excursion fees can be transferred to someone else in the case of cancellation. If this needs to occur, the conference coordinator must be notified before the excursion.
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