Happy New Year! Well now; it is the time to get serious about getting your registration form and fee in for the International Ferret Congress 2005 Ferret Symposium. Registration is still open but there are only 12 weeks left before registration closes. Please take a few minutes out of your day to go to our site http://ferretcongress.org to print your registration form, send it in with your payment to be sure you have your place for the weekend. We are looking forward to a fun filled, informational weekend; we want you to join us. Vendors: There are only a few tables left; so if you are interested in being a vendor please get your registration in, there will be no late registration or overflow accepted. April 29 - May 1, 2005 St. Louis, Missouri Registration and payment in full due by April 1, 2005 Passes and Fees 1 day pass (Friday only) includes all Friday sessions, breakfast and lunch. Fee: $85 paid in full only 3 day pass includes all sessions, breakfast and lunch on Friday and Saturday, breakfast on Sunday, and Saturday evening reception. Fee: $165 paid in full or 3 payments of $60 (total $180) Go to <http://ferretcongress.org /> for registration forms Hotel Reservations: Must be made by telephone, you must state that you are coming to the symposium to get the symposium rates. There are no on-line reservations available because of the special symposium rates. Hilton St. Louis Airport Telephone Number: 314-426-5500 We will again be hosting the Friday "Vet Day" featuring some of the best ferret Veterinarians in the country, including Dr. Bruce Williams; Dr. Karen Purcell, author of Essentials of Ferrets: A Guide for Practitioners; Dr. Tom Kawasaki; and Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald of "Emergency Vets". The next two days will feature an additional line-up of speakers, with Troy Lynn Eckart on Dealing with Grief, Chris Matlick on Ferret Lost and Found, Travis Livieri of Prairie Wildlife Research on black footed ferrets, Shirley Hewett on Ferrets Down-Under, Bob Church, Jeanne Carley, and Dr. Sandra Kudrak. Details on speakers and topics will be updated as confirmed. Bob Church will be our moderator for the 2005 Symposium! Besides speakers, we have several special events planned, including Table Topics at lunchtime, raffles, vendors, A Reception with A Celebrity Auction, and a special trip to the St. Louis Zoo! Volunteers: If you live in the St. Louis area and are interested in helping out, please contact any one of the IFC members. Vendors, please note: In order in insure that our vendors have a successful weekend, the number of vendors will be limited. No vendor registrations will be accepted after the vendor deadline. See the Vendor registration form and contract for more information. The International Ferret Congress Committee is looking forward to seeing you all in St. Louis! Vendors, there are limited spaces so please take this opportunity to get your registration fee, and contract in so you will be sure to be there for all the fun! All vendor staff must also register for the full Symposium. Permission granted to cross post as long as no changes are made. Brenda Johnson, Official Spokesperson and Vendor Coordinator International Ferret Congress http://www.ferretcongress.org [Posted in FML issue 4748]