This letter provides all the information you need to register for the Eighth National Rail Employer Training Seminar (NRETS) which will be held August 29, 30, and 31, 2012 at the Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile (formerly Wyndham Chicago), 633 North St. Clair Street, Chicago, Illinois. There is a registration fee of $20.00 to help cover the costs of refreshments and other incidentals. You are responsible for your own transportation, meals, and lodging expenses.
This seminar is designed for those persons who work in, or manage, the subject areas of service, compensation, and contributions reported to the RRB, and related areas. This includes, but is not limited to, payroll personnel, accountants, controllers, claims agents, benefit administrators, auditors, and executives of employers covered under the Railroad Retirement Act. Please share this information with all the appropriate parties within your organization.
The Seminar in Brief
The seminar begins with a general session for all attendees at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and ends at 11:30 a.m. Friday. The Management Member of the Board, Jerome F. Kever, will open the seminar, followed by Mr. Ronald Russo, Director of Policy and Systems. Also, the RRB's new Chief Financial Officer, Mr. George Govan, will discuss his views on the agency's improvements in the Bureau of Fiscal Operations. The topics include information on the agency's customer service enhancements; our new areas of automation relative to employees and employer reporting.
The plenary session is followed by two breakout sessions. Five breakout sessions are scheduled for Thursday and three on Friday. Each attendee chooses the particular breakout sessions that meet his or her needs. We have a few new sessions, including an RRB Website "tour" and a seminar covering verdicts and liens under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
Eric O'Neill, Accounting Manager from the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association will facilitate a discussion along with a representative from the RRB on changes that affect Short Line employers, and new payroll accounting and reporting opportunities that are available. We will also offer question and answer sessions with the RRB presenters on Friday concurrent with the breakout sessions.
Breakout Sessions
A description of each breakout session is enclosed and we have a variety of topics from which to choose. This includes basic topics which provide general information in all areas of compensation reporting for attendees who are new; sessions covering advanced compensation and related tax issues; and sessions that provide information on our automation efforts. So, attendees should simply sign up for the sessions they want to attend. Also, if there are any other topics you would like to see covered during our seminar, please let us know. Add your comments on the registration form and we will try to insure that those topics get covered and let you know which session you should attend. If the classes you select fill to capacity, we will notify you of any changes we make to your schedule. So register early!
Luncheon General Session
In combination with the luncheon you will receive informative opening remarks by Management Member, Jerome Kever. Following Mr. Kever, you will receive timely information from a representative of the Association of American Railroads; and a speaker from the Veteran's Recruitment Committee will discuss their recruitment efforts.
How to Register
You have several options for registering and paying for the seminar. You can register and pay on-line.
Or you can:
- Print a copy of your registration and fax it to the RRB to the number shown below and mail your payment separately;
- Print a copy of your registration and mail it to the RRB with your payment; or
- Use the printed form enclosed with this letter and mail it to the RRB with your payment.
You can send a check or money order to the address shown below and indicate whether the original registration was faxed. Please complete one form for each person attending the seminar. Photocopies are acceptable.
| Mail your registration to: |
U.S. Railroad Retirement Board
Quality Reporting Service Center
844 N. Rush Street
Chicago, Illinois 60611-1275 |
| Fax your registration to: |
(312) 751-7190 |
Please register as soon as possible, and no later than, July 27. We will accommodate reservations received after that date, but we require a count of attendees by July 27 for meeting room and contract purposes. Confirmations of registration and payment will be sent by e-mail or fax beginning mid -June and every 2 weeks thereafter. Confirmations will include directions to the hotel. If you do not receive your confirmation after two weeks, contact the Quality Reporting Service Center by telephone at (312) 751-4992 or e-mail to QRSC@rrb.gov.
Hotel Reservations
The seminar is being held at the Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile (formerly Wyndham Chicago) in the heart of Chicago's business, dining and shopping district with many activities available within walking distance. The guest rooms have dual-line telephones, and Internet access. Arrangements have been made with the hotel to give attendees a discounted government room rate of $159 per day plus 16.4% tax. A limited number of rooms are being held for check-in the day before the seminar. If you plan to arrive on Tuesday, August 28, please make your reservations early.
Luncheon Session
Thursday's luncheon session starts at 12:30 p.m., and includes a cash bar, lunch, and a general session. The cost of the luncheon is $50.00 and advanced reservations and payment are required. Attendance at the Luncheon is optional. Each entree includes Baby Spinach Salad-Crispy shallots, chopped egg and warm bacon vinaigrette and Gourmet Carrot Cake with roasted pineapple compote.
- Grilled Farmhouse Chicken Breast, with herb mashed potatoes, fennel marmalade and baby carrots.
- Seared Pacific Salmon, with Yukon gold mashed potatoes, and mushroom marmalades.
- New York Strip Steak on Tomato Bread, with arugula and fingerling potato.
Special dietary or vegetarian entrees can be arranged upon request.
If you choose to attend the luncheon, please complete Part C of the registration form.
Continuing Education Credit
Many licensing boards and professional organizations will grant Continuing Education credit for attendance at our workshops when you submit the course outline and a certificate of attendance. Contact your own board or organization to find out what is required. If you want a certificate of attendance, sign up at the registration table and your certificate should be available on Friday.
Questions
If you have any questions about the seminar, or you require a special lunch meal or accommodations, please address them to any of the staff at (312) 751-4992. We are looking forward to seeing you in August.