2009 Travois Conference

The 9th Annual Travois Indian Country Tax Credit Conference will help Tribes survive the economic storm and provide the tools for a brighter forecast. Sunny New Mexico and the beautiful Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa will be the perfect setting. The Tamaya is owned by the Pueblo of Santa Ana, one of the 19 Native pueblos within the state of New Mexico.

The conference sessions will cover the basics of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program and the New Markets Tax Credit program, alternate funding opportunities, trends in architectural design, the importance of compliance within the LIHTC program, Tribal college housing and development and more. Small group sessions are planned to allow for more interaction and answers to individual questions, and attendees are encouraged to visit sponsors' booths to meet one-on-one with investors and LIHTC and NMTC professionals.

Click here to view a printable schedule.

Conference venue and hotel reservations

Monday, Aug. 17 - Wednesday, Aug. 19
Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa
1300 Tuyuna Trail
Santa Ana Pueblo, NM 87004

Click here for directions.

The Hyatt Regency Tamaya has sold out of hotel rooms.Any changes to reservations can be made by calling 505-867-1234 or through the Tamaya's online reservation system.

The nearest airport that serves national airlines is the Albuquerque International Sunport, located at 2200 Sunport Blvd. SE Albuquerque, NM 87106.

Overflow hotel accommodations

An additional block of rooms has been reserved at the Holiday Inn Express Bernalillo. Rooms can be booked by calling 505-867-1600. Please mention "Travois, Inc." for the discounted room rate of $82/night plus tax. The room block expires on Aug. 9.

The Holiday Inn Express Bernalillo is located at 119 Bell Ave. in Bernalillo, N.M., just four miles from the Hyatt Regency Tamaya.

Who should attend?

Tribal members who work in housing and economic development, including:

Tribal housing authority staff – executive directors, occupancy and resident services staff
Tribal housing board members
Tribal council members
Tribal economic development staff
Tribal college presidents, administrators and finance staff

Tax credit support staff:

Tax credit investors and syndicators
Accountants
Tax credit attorneys
Market analysts
Surveyors and engineers

Registration

Regular registration fee = $300 (July 17-Aug. 17)

The registration fee covers entrance to the welcome reception, breakfast and lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday, all materials and an attendee gift.

Registration is now closed. Please call 816-442-8986 if you would like to register.

To download a printable registration form, click here. Payment can be mailed to the Kansas City, Mo., address listed on the form.

All registrants will receive a confirmation e-mail from Travois once their registration and payment have been received. This confirmation will be sent to the e-mail that is provided through registration. If you do not receive a confirmation e-mail and you have registered and paid, please call Beth at 816-994-8970.

Luncheon speakers

Donna J. Gambrell, director of the U.S. Treasury's Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, will be the keynote speaker at Tuesday's luncheon. The CDFI Fund expands the capacity of financial institutions to provide credit, capital and financial services to underserved populations and communities in the United States. Prior to the CDFI Fund, Ms. Gambrell served as a Deputy Director at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). During her tenure, Ms. Gambrell oversaw the FDIC’s national compliance bank examination, community affairs, consumer affairs and deposit insurance outreach programs. Ms. Gambrell received a B.S. Degree from Towson State University, Baltimore, and an M.S. Degree from New York University. In 2004, she received a National Public Service Award for her innovative work over the years in formulating public-private partnerships.

Ms. Gambrell will discuss how the CDFI Fund has worked with Native communities, through its various awards programs, to foster community development and growth, highlighting a few of their several success stories. She will also discuss the positive impact that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will have on this collaboration, as well as on new programs such as alternative energy.

Richard Litsey, counsel and senior advisor for Indian Affairs for the U.S. Senate, Committee on Finance, will be the keynote speaker at Wednesday's luncheon. He will discuss the political climate in the new administration and alternate funding sources in the wake of the current economic crisis. In his position, Mr. Litsey handles issues bearing on Social Security, Indian health care and tribal tax issues. He is an enrolled member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and holds a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University, a Juris Doctor degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law and a Master’s of Law in International Economic Law from the University of Houston.

Conference Schedule (subject to change)

Monday, Aug. 17

8 a.m.-noon: Optional Golf Outing
1:30-4 p.m.: Registration
2-4 p.m.: Low Income Housing Tax Credits 101
4-5 p.m.: Travois and sponsor booths open
5-7 p.m.: Welcome reception

Tuesday, Aug. 18

8 a.m.: Breakfast and registration
8:30 a.m.: Welcome and introduction
9 a.m.: Housing Track - Best Practices in Housing
9 a.m.: Economic Development Track - NMTC: Four Letters Can Make a Big Impact
10 a.m.: Housing Track - Design Schemes & the Green Scene
10:45 a.m.: Both Tracks - Small Group Sit-Downs (Choose from either a housing or economic development small group)
Noon: Luncheon
1:30 p.m.: Both Tracks - NAHASDA: It's For More Than Just Housing
2:30 p.m.: Sessions end for the day
8 p.m.: Optional Karaoke Night at the Santa Ana Star Casino; Cheenah Lounge

Wednesday, Aug. 19

8 a.m.: Breakfast and check-in
8:30 a.m.: Housing Track - 8609s, 8823s and More - an Overview of Asset Management
8:30 a.m.: Economic Development Track - Best Practices in Economic Development
9:30 a.m.: Housing Track - Happenings on the Hill: Government Update
10 a.m.: Housing Track - Making It All Work
10 a.m.: Economic Development Track - Credit & Capital
Noon: Luncheon
1:30 p.m.: Both Tracks - Tribal Colleges: Class is Now in Session
2:15 p.m.: Game
2:45 p.m.: Raffle drawing
3 p.m.: Closing and wrap-up

Session Descriptions

Housing Track

Low Income Housing Tax Credits 101 – This introductory session will be geared to those who are new to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program or those who need a refresher course. Travois staff and industry professionals will introduce the program and answer questions.

Best Practices in Housing- Experienced tribal developers will go over the do’s and don’ts for a successful LIHTC housing project. Learn about working with an investor, meeting your state’s requirements and building an affordable housing development.

Design Schemes & the Green Scene- Travois Design & Construction Services staff will talk about the latest in green building trends, energy efficiency improvements and tips for improving your affordable housing development.

8609s, 8823s and More: An Overview of Asset Management - Learn about the general compliance requirements for the LIHTC program. Travois Asset Management staff will discuss the initial qualification process, recertifications, on-site inspections and annual report requirements. Bring all of your compliance related questions.

Happenings on the Hill: Government Update - Get an update on what’s happening on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., from staffers in the know. Bring your policy questions and recommendations.

Making it All Work - Learn how to tie together the various financing programs and grants to get a project off the ground.

Economic Development Track

NMTC: Four Letters Can Make a Big Impact- Learn the basics of the New Markets Tax Credit program from our economic development experts. Travois staff will explain the program and answer your questions.

Best Practices in Economic Development - Experienced Tribal developers and Travois staff will discuss successful businesses financed with the NMTC program. Learn about what it takes to get your project off the drawing board.

Credit & Capital - Hear an overview of the current lending environment and innovative ways to secure financing.

Combined Sessions

Small Group Sit-Downs- PowerPoint presentations are not allowed in this session. Attendees can meet with Travois staff to get questions answered and discuss housing and economic development needs. Learn about strategies for success and tips on securing financing. Choose from either a housing or economic development small group.

Tribal Colleges: Class is Now in Session - Hear about the variety of programs available to expand your campus and provide affordable housing for students.

NAHASDA: It's for More Than Just Housing - Hear how you can use your NAHASDA allocation to encourage economic development in your community in this HUD economic development demonstration program.

Optional Activities

Golf outing - A golf outing is tentatively scheduled for Monday, Aug. 17, starting at 8 a.m. at the Santa Ana Golf Club. The fee per person will be approximately $50, which will include green fees, cart fees and range balls. Clubs can be rented with advance notice for $35. A limited number of rental clubs are available, so please contact Matthew Bland at mbland@travois.com or 816-994-8970 if you are interested in renting clubs. Please indicate your interest when you register, and you will be contacted with more information.

Welcome reception - Appetizers will be provided. Come meet fellow housing and economic development professionals and say hello to Travois staff members. Co-hosted by Raymond James Tax Credit Funds, Inc. The reception will begin at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17 at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya.

Karaoke night – Travois will provide the karaoke machine, and participants will provide the entertainment! This event will start at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18 at the Cedar Room in the Santa Ana Star Casino. A free shuttle will be available.

Plan your own outing - Conference sessions are planned to end around 3 p.m. each day, so attendees are welcome to explore all of the activities at the Tamaya or plan excursions to Santa Fe (50 miles away)or Albuquerque (20 miles away). Click here to view a PDF with entertainment options.

Conference Sponsors

Travois gratefully acknowledges the following sponsors:

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Cancellation Policy

In the event of a cancellation between today and Friday, July 31, 2009, Travois, Inc. will retain $10 to cover its costs and will refund the remaining $290. If a cancellation is requested after Friday, July 31, Travois, Inc. will retain $50 to cover its costs and will refund the remaining $250. Cancellations may be made by e-mailing beths@travois.com or by calling 816-994-8970.

Substitutions can be made by Friday, Aug. 14 with no penalty by e-mailing beths@travois.com or by calling 816-994-8970.

Hotel rooms reserved at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa will need to be canceled separately through the hotel. Please call 505-867-1234 for the Hyatt's cancellation policy. Online reservations can be canceled online: https://resweb.passkey.com/go/travois