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The 2008 Annual Conference took place September 28 to October 2, 2008 in Louisville, KY. Thank you to all who attended. We look forward to seeing you in 2009 in Scottsdale, AZ. The 2008 Conference information on the remainder of this page is provided for historical purposes.

(subject to change)

Sunday – September 28

Registration Opens

Information Exchange Opens

Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau – Welcome Desk Opens

Roundtable Discussion Groups – Learn, participate, forge action

Networking meetings

Appriss tours

Monday – September 29

Opening Ceremonies including US Attorney General Michael Mukasey; Congressman Ted Poe; John Gillis, Director of the Office for Victims of Crime; and Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear

Plenary Multi-Disciplinary Panel

Workshops 3:30-5:00 (ten tracks)

Private movie screening of Locked, 7:30pm. Writer and Director will be present.

Tuesday – September 30

Topical Mini-Plenary Sessions/Workshops 9:00 - 12:00

Silent Auction Opens

NOVA Awards and Luncheon featuring Donna VanLiere

Workshops afternoon 1:30 – 5:00 (twenty tracks)

Silent/Live Auction

Wednesday – October 1

Victim Tribute including Mildred Muhammad, Pat Byron, Joe Samaha, and Lucy Lee

Pat Byron, President of The Mary Byron Foundation and mother of Mary Byron, a 21-year-old woman who was brutally murdered by her abuser when he was released on bond after assaulting her. The Mary Byron Foundation's mission is to stop domestic violence.

Joe Samaha, father of Reema Samaha, who was murdered during the Va. Tech Massacre April 16, 2007. Joe has established The Angel Fund in honor of his daughter that has a mission of confronting issues of student safety by effective laws and policies that address privacy and communication needs for parents and academic institutions.

Lucy Lee is the executive director of ECHO, Exploited Children's Help Organization, a Louisville, Kentucky-based non-profit, volunteer agency that works with the issues of abused and missing children. Lee's relationship with ECHO began 25 years ago when she sought assistance after her own children were sexually abused. That led to her taking a greater role within the organization. In less than five years, Lee went from volunteer to board member to executive director. Lee lives and works each day to protect our most precious resource — the children of our community.

Workshops morning (ten tracks)

Workshops afternoon 2:00 - 5:30 (twenty tracks)

Private movie screening of Take, 7:30pm. Writer and Director will be present.

Thursday – October 2

Workshops morning 9:00 - 12:30 (twenty tracks)

Workshops afternoon 2:00 - 5:30 (twenty tracks)

Followed by:

Pre Banquet Reception

Banquet with Karen Vadino and featuring Trisha Meili

Additional Training: NOVA’s renowned Basic Community Crisis Response Training (4 day agenda) will be presented during the conference. This training is not included in your conference registration.

Throughout the week: Interdisciplinary panels, networking receptions, book fair & exhibitors, and more!

NOVA’s bi-annual National Crisis Response Team Institute will be held Friday, October 3 and Saturday, October 4 at the Galt House. If you have completed NOVA’s Basic Community Crisis Response Team Training you are eligible to attend through a separate registration process. This institute is not inclusive with your conference registration.