This year's National Leadership Conference activities will be fun, exciting, rewarding, and unforgettable! Event if delegates never leave the conference hotel, their "National HOSA Experience" will be filled with wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.

But in 1998, you WILL want to leave the hotel because this year's National Leadership Conference is being held at the "happiest place on Earth," WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort in Florida. There will be so much to do that members will want to start planning now to be sure they can take advantage of everything this NLC has to offer. The following sections will help you start planning for the NLC:

The first step in planning a successful 1998 NLC is to study your National HOSA Leadership Conference Guide, and plan on attending the important and exciting activities that are part of the National Leadership Conference. Pay special attention to event orientations, event management preparation, Voting Delegate responsibilities, and event schedules. The Opening Session will be the highlight of the conference! You could be recognized for your achievements at the Recognition Session or receive a medal for your skills at the Awards Session!

To make the most of your free time while in Orlando, we have asked our HOSA travel guides to share some tips you might want to consider as you plan to take part in the biggest and best NLC ever!

Conference Hotel

The conference hotels are Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort. The hotels and convention center have been open for less than a year, so everything is new and very nice.

The hotels consist of many different buildings, all with outside entrances, and none taller than four stories high. That's great news for HOSA members who don't want to wait around for elevators! There are plenty of stairs.

The hotel buildings at Coronado Springs surround a lake. A walk around the lake is about a mile long. There are lots of swimming pools, and a marina at the hotel to rent paddle boats and bicycles. There's even a sand volleyball court near the largest pool, which should be a popular site for HOSA members.

The "student friendly" restaurant at the hotel is the Pepper Market. The food is served a little bit like cafeteria style, and food choices range from burgers and pizza to salads and pasta. The desserts are wonderful -- you may want to try the triple chocolate cheesecake -- it will be delicious!

Getting Around

One of the biggest advantages of staying at the WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort is the transportation. An elaborate and extremely efficient bus system will take you anywhere you want -- and it's free! Your average wait for a bus to the MAGIC KINGDOM® Park from Disney's Coronado Spring Resort will be about 10 minutes.

How to Plan for the Best NLC Ever

Plan to arrive on Sunday or Monday -- before the conference begins. There are four theme parks with the recent opening of Disney's Animal Kingdom (TM). In addition, you may want to visit the MAGIC KINGDOM® Park, Epcot®, and Disney-MGM Studios.

If you like water parks, you'll have your choice of River Country, Typhoon Lagoon, or Blizzard Beach. If the good and shopping appeals to you, you won't want to miss Downtown Disney and the Disney Village Market Place. Lots to chose from? Yeah, you could say that, and planning will be important.

Tickets

Special tickets will be available to conference delegates. The tickets will allow you to visit more than one park the same day. If this is a return visit, you may prefer to visit your favorite attractions at a single park and move on. If you've never been before, it generally takes a full day to visit a single park. Since the cost per day is about $45, you may want to consider visiting the parks when you have almost an entire day to enjoy the experience. If you have less than a full day, consider visiting Blizzard Beach. It's within walking distance of Disney's Coronado Spring Resort.

Tips - In General

• Leave the hotel for the activity of your choice at 8 am. That will give you enough time to catch the bus and to arrive early. You'll enjoy seeing two or three of your favorite attractions with no lines if you get an early start.
• Plan to avoid eating during busy times (Noon - 2 pm and 5 - 8 pm)
• Wear comfortable shoes with lots of support. Tennis shoes with socks work the best. You'll be walking for miles!
• If you have a few free hours one morning, go have breakfast with the Disney Characters at the Contemporary Resort or another location. The food is wonderful, and you'll have plenty of chances to get some great pictures with the Disney characters.
• Buy lots of film before you leave home for that important Kodak moment.
• Drink water with meals. Water is better for you than a soft drink, and you'll save about $5 per day if you do.
• Bring non-perishable food with you. Granola bars, cereal bars, raisins, etc. will provide quick and easy nutrition for your busy conference schedule.
• There are no familiar fast food places anywhere in the park, so be prepared!

the first and most beloved of the parks, is where Mickey lives. Space Mountain is still a favorite, and Splash Mountain will cool you off on a hot summer's day.

• If you go with a group, we highly recommend getting there early, and getting tickets for the Diamond Horseshoe Jamboree. Ask a "cast member" (any employee) for the location of the reservation podium as soon as you get to Main Street. The tickets are free and given out first-come, first-served. This western comedy show will be the highlight of your day.
• Main Street open about an hour before the rest of the Magic Kingdom. Once you get your tickets for the Diamond Horseshoe Jamboree, visit the Main Street shops, and then line up with everyone else to prepare for your sprint to Space Mountain.
• The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is really cool after dark.
• There is a restaurant in the castle, but you should try the cafeteria at the Crystal Palace. In Adventureland, there is a cup, and in Liberty Square, Sleepy Hollows sells the best chocolate chip cookies!
• Skip the Grand Prix Raceway.
• Stay for the fireworks.

Get there when it opens, visit two or three of the Future World pavilions, and then head to the countries when you start to encounter lines.

In order, our favorite Future World attractions are:

1. Wonders of Life
2. Journey Into Imagination
3. World of Motion
4. Spaceship Earth
5. The Living Seas
6. The Land
7. Horizons
8. Universe of Energy
9. Innoventions

To tell you the truth, everything at EPCOT® is fascinating.

• If you want to eat in one of the countries, try lunch. Canada and Italy are very safe, England works for the slightly adventurous, and if you want a dining experience like you've never had before, try Norway or Morocco.
• The pastry shop in France is a must! Go with your friends, and buy one of everything to share. If you have questions, ask the sales people -- they really are from France!
• Don't miss the American Adventure as you walk around the lake and visit the countries. There is an outstanding preshow in the American Pavilion when the Voices of Liberty sing. You'll sit on the floor under the capitol rotunda, and will be inspired by the singers in colonial costume.
• A few of the countries have comedy shows that involve audience members, and they are exceptionally funny, especially if one of your group is chosen to participate.
• The shows at EPCOT® are outstanding, and the illuminations laser and fireworks show over the lake at night is "the bomb!"

One of the best thrill rides in the country exists in the form of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Your HOSA Travel Guides have done it once, and never again. If you have a weak stomach, stay away from this one!

We love Disney-MGM Studios, especially with a group. There are many audience involvement shows and attractions.

• Your first stop should be the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Once you've lost your breakfast, proceed to the Animation Studio. There, you'll see how they create Disney magic in a fun and entertaining way.
• Next, go to the Great Movie Ride and then to Star Tours.
• The Backstage Studio Tour is good, and don't forget to visit the Indiana Jones Stunt Show. Remember to raise your hand and volunteer to be in everything!
• Our favorite (and the funniest) place to eat is the 50's Prime Time Cafe. You've never dined like this before!

Imagine a zoo like you've never seen before, and you may be imagining something new -- Disney's Animal Kingdom (TM). Imagine climbing aboard a safari jeep for a 20-minute ride through a savanna to be among the lions, cheetahs, white rhinos, wart hogs, impalas and ostriches. If you happen to come across a mother elephant that's been killed, you'll be off on a chase to track down the poachers who killed her.

The park will feature 1,000 free-roaming animals, including:

• Gorillas
• Hippos
• Giraffes
• Nile crocodiles
• White rhinos
• Cheetahs
• Mandrills
• Sable antelope
• Mhorr gazelles
• African Crowned cranes
• Macaws
• Lions, and more...

The centerpiece of the park is the Tree of Life that stands 145 fee tall and features the carved figures of 350 animals. Other park areas include Camp Minnie-Mickey with costumed characters from The Lion King and The Jungle Book. The Oasis features tree kangaroos, sloths, anteaters, deer, and birds among waterfalls in a cool, natural setting. You can ride the Countdown to Extinction ride in DinoLand, U.S.A., while children plan in the Boneyard.

Disney's Animal Kingdom (TM) will add to the fun and excitement of HOSA's 1998 National Leadership Conference.