2013 Conference Overview
The purpose of the 2013 Midwest Parent Educators (MPE) Conference is to provide information on homeschooling techniques and curriculum choices, besides offering refreshment and encouragement for homeschooling families. Attendees will include both experienced homeschoolers and those considering homeschooling. Students of attendees cover all age ranges.
There will be up to 180 exhibitor booths. MPE changed its dues structure in 2004 so that there is no additional charge for members to attend the MPE Conference.
The 2013 MPE Conference and Curriculum Fair will be at the KCI Expo Center at 11730 North Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO 64153, very close to the Kansas City International Airport. For more information, please go to www.kciexpo.com
Directions to the KCI Expo Center
Conference Dates & Times
Thursday, April 4, 2013 – Eric and Leslie Ludy will present the Keynote Address at 7:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church. This will be open to the public (a freewill offering will be taken). There will be no childcare.
Friday, April 5, 2013 – Registration for the conference begins at 8 a.m. Workshops begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 6:30 p.m. The Exhibitor Hall will open to the public at 9 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. Exhibitor or vendor workshops begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 6, 2013 – The Exhibitor Hall will open to the public at 8 a.m. and close by 5 p.m. Exhibitors must be completely packed by 6 p.m. Conference sessions, workshops, and exhibitor workshops will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m.
Conference Speakers
Keynote Speaker:
Featured Speakers:
Children
Children are very important to MPE, since it is for their benefit that we exist to encourage and equip parents as educators. The MPE conference, however, is intended for parental enrichment and therefore the general policy is that children under 13 not be in attendance at the conference workshop sessions (except nursing babies). This is due to seating limitations and to keep potential disruptions to a minimum during workshops. As always, parental discretion should be used throughout the conference to preserve the conference experience for other attendees. MPE reserves the right to dismiss unruly attendees.
MPE has made the following accommodations for children.
• All children accompanied by parents are welcome in the Exhibitor Hall.
• Nursing babies are welcome in the conference workshops. However, if your child is fussy or disruptive in any way, you should quietly exit the workshop so that the others will not be disturbed. A room will be available exclusively for mothers to nurse and diaper their babies.
• Parents with children under 5 are encouraged to pre-arrange for child care in order to attend conference workshops.
• Children between the ages of 5 and 12 can be enrolled in MPE Kids – Children’s Program.
• Children age 13 and up are encouraged to volunteer at the MPE conference with either the Page Volunteer Program or with MPE Kids. They are also invited to attend the workshops and visit the Exhibitor Hall with their parents; they are admitted for free when accompanied by a parent at Registration.
Due to congestion, strollers, wagons, and other wheeled carriers are not permitted in the workshops. Be sure to bring baby carriers or backpacks to transport nursing babies. Wheeled carriers are allowed in the Exhibitor Hall.
This year, MPE will be offering a Children’s Program for 5-12 year olds. Parents must be registered for the Conference and are responsible for meals both days.
General Information
Cell phones. Cell phones must be turned off or placed in vibration mode while attending any conference session, workshop, or exhibitor demonstration.
Audio Taping. Many of the conference sessions and workshops (but not exhibitor demonstrations) will be taped and available for purchase at the conference or by mail following the conference. No personal taping (audio or video) of conference sessions or workshops is allowed. To order CDs ($7.00 each + shipping) following the conference, please contact Rhino Technologies at 222 Temple Hill Drive, Almo, KY 42020. Their telephone number is 270-753-0717 and their e-mail address is services
rhino-technologies
com.
Emergency Number. An emergency number will be printed in the conference program that everyone receives upon registration. This is the number to be provided to babysitters and family members. Do NOT provide the switchboard number of the KCI Expo Center. The switchboard will not be manned during much of the conference. The emergency number will be attended during all conference hours and a message board will be available to post any incoming messages.
Conference Schedule. Current scheduling information will be available on this website nearer the time. Changes will be made as they occur, but last minute modifications may be necessary and may not be indicated on the website. Printed schedules will not be available until the first day of the conference.
More information will be posted up on this page as they come to hand.