December 2010

Dear CalABA Members and Friends,

The 2011 CalABA Conference is quickly approaching! Conveniently located on the San Francisco Bay only minutes from both San Francisco International Airport and the excitement of downtown, the beautiful Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport in Burlingame, California will once again host the conference. Conference attendees can enjoy many nearby attractions, including Alcatraz Island, Aquarium of the Bay, numerous museums and parks, Lombard Street, and the picturesque Golden Gate Bridge.

The 2011 CalABA Conference program will provide a multitude of presentations on theory and basic research as well as applied research and practice. The 2011 CalABA Award for Outstanding Contributions to Behavior Analysis will be awarded posthumously to distinguished professor and pioneering researcher O. Ivar Lovaas. CalABA is very pleased and honored to be able to formally recognize his many stellar contributions to the field of behavior analysis with our most prestigious award. Following the reception of the award, Nina Lovaas will present attendees with an address on Dr. Lovaas' life and legacy.

CalABA will have two Keynote Speakers in 2011. Judy Favell of AdvoServ will present a keynote describing her experiences, and the lessons derived, working over 40 years as a behavior analyst in the field of developmental disabilities, focusing specifically on the analysis and treatment of severe behavior disorders. David Pierce from the University of Alberta will present a keynote on his research of activity anorexia, describing a new model which emphasizes the interplay between behavioral contingencies, biology and neural processes that influence activity anorexia as well as some new potential applications for treatment and prevention that arise from this more complete account of the condition.

This year's program will also feature invited addresses and workshops by numerous researchers and scientist-practitioners in each of our 11 program areas:

• Bridget Taylor, Alpine Learning Group (Autism);
• William Ahearn, The New England Center for Children (Autism);
• Kenneth Silverman, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Clinical/Medical);
• Brian Iwata, University of Florida (Developmental Disabilities);
• Iser DeLeon, Kennedy Krieger Institute (Developmental Disabilities);
• George Sugai, University of Connecticut (Education);
• Daniel Cerutti, California State University, East Bay (Experimental);
• Iver Iversen, University of North Florida (Experimental);
• David Moore, Pitzer College & Claremont Graduate University (Human Development & Gerontology);
• Scott Geller, Virginia Tech (Organizational Behavior Management);
• Jim Carr, Auburn University (Other);
• Richard Malott, Western Michigan University (Other);
• Jerry Shook, Behavior Analyst Certification Board (Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues);
• Suzanne Letso, Connecticut Center for Child Development (Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues; Public Policy);
• Lorri Unumb, Autism Speaks (Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues; Public Policy);
• Jay Moore, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (Theoretical, Conceptual & Philosophical); and
• Barbara Esch, Esch Behavior Consultants (Verbal Behavior).

We are honored that Jennifer McComas of the University of Minnesota will present the Glenda Vittimberga Memorial Lecture for 2011. This very special lecture continues to honor the memory of former CalABA Board member Glenda Vittimberga.

CalABA is very happy to announce the Public Policy & Leadership track for the 2011 conference. This track will comprise an impressive lineup of speakers presenting on important public policy and leadership issues which will have a significant impact on ABA practitioners, researchers, trainers, and consumers. More information on Public Policy & Leadership track events will become available as we get closer to the conference.

Continuing education units will be available for Board Certified Behavior Analysts, Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, school psychologists, counselors, social workers, and speech-language pathologists. The flat fee of $60 for any number of CEUs is a great value. Certain presentations throughout the conference proper will be available for some types of CEUs; they will be identified in the upcoming program book and on the CalABA website. All of the Saturday workshops offer at least one type of CEU as well. Enrollment in Saturday's workshops is limited, so be sure to pre-register for them when you register for the conference.

Once again, CalABA is very proud to have the B. F. Skinner Foundation Auction as part of our luncheon festivities. This year the live auction will be conducted by auctioneer Mark Sundberg. Proceeds help fund the work of both the B. F. Skinner Foundation and CalABA. Make sure to purchase your luncheon tickets upon registration so you can attend this memorable event. Perhaps you will be a winning bidder!

Register for the conference by January 28, 2011 to qualify for the early registration fee, and don't forget to reserve your hotel room now to get the great conference rate. Rooms at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport are already filling up fast, so be sure to book your room soon! For more information about the conference venue and how to make reservations, our excellent program and schedule, as well as student awards, sponsorship and advertising opportunities, and more, please visit calaba.org. Check the website and our new Facebook page frequently for updates. A full conference program will be posted on the website as soon as it is available.

All in all, the annual CalABA Conference offers professionals, students, and consumers the opportunity to meet top-notch researchers and practitioners in a relatively small and intimate venue. You can expect this year's conference will offer something for everyone.

We look forward to seeing you in San Francisco!

Bryan Hebert, MS, BCBA
Amanda Adams, PhD, BCBA-D
2011 CalABA Conference Committee Co-Chairs

2011 CalABA Conference Committee