Conference 2006 updates.

It's hard to believe that we'll be coming together once more for our annual conference in just three short months! Preparation activities are coming together smoothly. The folks at the University of Portland and the Double Tree Hotel have been a pleasure to work with. The conference is shaping up to be a smashing success. For those of you who have not yet registered, time's a-waisting! Early bird registration ends September 1, 2006. Registration forms are available in this issue of the InterAction or on our website (www.aamn.org). Also, reservations under the AAMN conference rate at the Double Tree Hotel must be made by September 18, 2006. You can make your reservations by calling 1-800-996-0510. Here's a couple of information tips for those of you coming to the conference:

* Transportation from the Portland International Airport to the Double Tree Hotel couldn't be any easier. Just proceed out the doors near baggage pick up carousel #2 (South end of the airport) to the MAX Light Rail train stop. Hop on the Red Line train. Train tickets, as if this writing, are $1.30, and can be purchased at the kiosk at the train stop. Take the train to the Lloyd Center stop. The Double Tree Hotel is directly across the street. The train is comfortable, has plenty of room for luggage, and takes about 15-20 minutes to arrive at the hotel. The train runs frequently until about 11:00 pm.

* Think you might get bored while not attending the conference proceedings? Not a chance! The hotel has all the usual amenities. Better yet, just walk across the street to the Lloyd Center. This newly remodeled mall has nearly 200 stores, including Nordstrom's, Macy's (Meier & Frank), Barnes and Noble, and Sears. On the northside of Lloyd Center is the Broadway shopping district, filled with upscale shops, restaurants, bistros, and the like. Still bored? Two multiplex theatres are within three blocks of the hotel. Still bored? Then hop the MAX train to downtown Portland. This time, the trip is free and takes you about five minutes. Downtown Portland is vibrant and safe until the wee hours of the morning!

* Not sure what to do Friday night during the conference? This year's Luther Christman Awards Dinner is scheduled for 7:00 pm, Friday, October 20th at the Double Tree Hotel. On the menu is a choice of London Broil, fresh northwest salmon, or a vegetarian pasta, all cooked by the hotel's award winning chef. Perhaps better than the food is the relaxing atmosphere to catch up with old AAMN colleagues and to meet new faces.

* Worried about getting to the conference proceedings? Don't worry! There is a free shuttle bus from the hotel to the University of Portland campus. And, as has been our custom, your conference registration includes breakfast and lunch on both Friday and Saturday. Meals will be served at the University of Portland.

* Worried about the rainy Portland weather you've heard about? Well, although I can't guarantee sunny blue skies, I can tell you that October is usually a very comfortable weather month. Many of the trees should be in their beautiful fall colors. But just in case.... it might be wise to bring an umbrella.

And last but not least, the educational offerings. This year's offerings once again will be diverse and stimulating. By the time you have received this issue of the InterAction, a draft conference schedule will be available on the website. Here are the titles and presenters planned for this year.

* Keynote Address E. Thompson

* "Spiritual nursing care influence on the nurse: Does gender matter?" J. R. Warner & S. R. Moscato 

* "Health service use and health seeking behavior among Latino men in a rural community" N. S. MacNaughton

* "The Buffalo Jump: Rurality, masculinity, and gender negotiation" C. O'Lynn

* "Recruitment and retention of diverse nursing populations: Male nurses" M. Burnett

* "Sexual identity, ethnicity, and sex role strain in male nursing students" J. Cordova & D. Moise

* "How should I touch you?" L. Krautscheid & C. O'Lynn

* "Clinical strengthening with human patient simulators" J. R. Reed 

* "Obesity in men: A multifaceted nursing management approach" S. J. Saccomano

* "Men in nursing: A different perspective" D. Gordon, A. Haja, & H. Brader

* "Nursing care for the client having prostate surgery in the United States: A historical perspective" D. Anderson

* "Walt Whitman: Civil War nurse" S. A. LaRocco

* "The Sphere of the Nursing Advocacy Model" R. Hanks

* "Men in nursing: An ethical approach to sexual difference" E. Arries

* "A public health toolkit for promoting men's health" R. Herald

* "The Alexian Brothers Hospital, School of Nursing for Men: A leader in the preparation of men in nursing" R. E. Tranbarger

* "Hospitaller Leadership, or everything I learned about leadership I learned from a Crusader" T. Wren

* "Psychosocial influences on self-management of type 2 diabetes" S. G. Jeanfreau

* "Nursing: The male experience" C. Wilson, A. Guidry, & T. Woo

In addition, AAMN has received a generous grant from the Northwest Health Foundation. This grant will be used to subsidize conference registration for male nursing students as well as provide partial conference scholarships for male nurses new in practice. As part of the grant, a number of male high school students will come to the University of Portland campus for lunch on Saturday. These students will have an opportunity to find out about nursing as a career, meet with male nursing students, and hear a brief presentation from a variety of men nurse role models. AAMN is excited that the Northwest Health Foundation recognizes the need and benefit of recruiting and supporting men into nursing.

All in all, this year's conference should be stimulating, fresh, and fun. If you have any questions about the conference, or have questions about Portland and local attractions, feel free to contact me directly at [e-mail].

Chad O'Lynn, 2006 Conference Chair