2016 TCRA Annual Convention Agenda2016 TCRA Annual Convention Agenda2016 TCRA Annual Convention Agenda
Friday, July 8, 2016
7:00am — Registration & Exhibit Hall Open
7:30am — Realtime Contest
8:30am — CART Exam
7:30am to 8:30am (Early Bird Session)
How to Unleash Your True Potential Speaker: Ronald C. Palmer, Jr.
1.0 CE hour Ron Palmer is a licensed professional counselor who will address the
reasons why people seldom pursue their true dreams. He will inspire
you to reflect on why you first pursued your career and will explore
the definition of success, happiness and purpose of life.
8:30am to 9:00am — BREAK
9:00am to 10:00am (Opening Session)
Laughter in the Third Degree Speaker: Cleto Rodriguez and Bettina Williams
1.0 CE hour
San Antonio’s Mayor Ivy Taylor kicks off the 2016 TCRA Annual
Convention. Cleto and Bettina connect with audiences by relating
everyday life experiences. Anything and everything is fair game, from
marriage mishaps to the challenges of dieting to the most
embarrassing and funniest moments in the courtroom. This comedy
is high‐energy, observational and hilarious.
10:00am to 10:15am — BREAK
Choose one to attend:
10:15am to 11:45am
Creating the Demand for Draft Transcripts
Speaker: Ed Varallo
1.5 CE hours
To be truly realtime capable—able to turn out fast, accurate drafts
and fast certified transcripts—we need to write smarter. Ed Varallo,
six‐time NCRA speed contest champion, will share with you his tips
and techniques to create the demand for rough draft transcripts.
Delivery by dinnertime, not bedtime is what your clients need. Learn
how to provide this valuable service and increase your bottom line.
10:30am to 11:30am
Are Your Weapons Loaded?
Speaker: Michael Harrison
1.0 CE hour
The Texas Open Carry new legislation allowing Texas residents to
openly carry loaded firearms has sparked much debate and
confusion. In this discussion, we will explore aspects of the legislation
and how it affects everyday citizens and businesses. We will seek to
clarify the conflict between the rights of Open Carry practitioners and
those who challenge Open Carry in public and private settings.
12:00pm to 1:30pm
Annual Business Meeting & Luncheon
0.5 CE Hour
Grassroots Lobbying
Speaker: Jimmy Evans
1:45pm to 2:45pm
A Live Interview with an American Hero
Speaker: Judge David Alan Ezra
1.0 CE hour
The United States Congress created the Veterans History Project
(VHP) in 2000. The VHP of the American Folklife Center collects,
preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American
war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from
veterans and better understand the realities of war. Today
The Honorable David A. Ezra, Senior U.S. District Judge, a retired
Army officer, will assist a surviving WWII veteran in preserving his
oral history regarding his wartime service.
2:45pm to 3:00pm — BREAK
3:00pm to 4:00pm — Choose one to attend:
Keys to e‐EVERYTHING
Speakers: Justice Jason Pulliam and Justice Rebecca Martinez
1.0 CE hour (Ethics/Rules)
Hear Ye Hear Ye...from the Fourth Court of Appeals. Learn the ins
and outs of what’s required and expected when you file your
Reporter’s Record with the Court of Appeals. Topics covered will
include electronic filing, notifications of late record, appellate
timetables, exhibits, indexing and more.
Yours is Not a Sit‐in‐Silence Job (Asserting Yourself Effectively
and Professionally)
Speaker: Nancy Varallo
1.0 CE hour
Nancy will explore with you how to gain confidence and boost your
ability to get what you need from the calendar manager, the firm
owner and the attorneys. Nancy will discuss how your situation
might have been handled differently to get a better outcome. Don’t
miss the opportunity to ask “Dear Nancy” your questions!
Thursday, July 7, 2016 Speed Contest — 9:00am
Board Meeting — 2:00pm
Friday, July 8, 2016 (cont’d) 3:00pm to 4:00pm
Depo 101
Speakers: Jan Carter and Jana Richter
1.0 CE hour
The Day in the Life of a Freelancer! This session will cover everything
from building your resume to taking a deposition to job production.
This is an intense look into all the ins and outs of freelancing.
4:00pm to 4:15pm — BREAK
4:15pm — TCRR and TMR Exams
4:15pm to 5:15pm — Choose one to attend:
Civility, Rudity and Crudity: How to Rid Yourself of Friends and
Allies in the Workplace, and at Any Other Place
Speaker: Justice Jim Wright, 11th Court of Appeals
1.0 CE hour
Justice Wright will explore ways in which our communication and
attitude can make or break us in the workplace. We will examine the
detrimental effect that an over‐active sense of self‐worth has on our
relationship with others and ultimately the toll that it takes on our
own lives. We will try to answer the question: Are we becoming
bankrupt in assets of compassion and understanding, while building
up an abundance in liabilities of incivility , rudity, and crudity?
Dictation—The Gift that Keeps on Giving
Speakers: Karen Morris, Sonia Trevino, and Kimberly Xavier
1.0 CE hour
There is no greater gift than giving a small amount of time to help a
court reporting student be successful. Join us for an entertaining and
interactive session of learning how to mark dictation material and
“read on the clock.” Trust us! It’s much more fun from the other side.
Transitioning to Officialing
Speakers: Lisa Morton and Shari Steen
1.0 CE hour (Ethics/Rules)
Who says you can’t have it all? Working in the court setting can be
more profitable than you realize. Learn from the seasoned reporters
the expectations, the protocols, and the things you need to know to
be successful and confident in the courtroom setting.
5:30pm to 7:30pm
Vendor Sessions — Choose your software vendor to attend.
2.0 CE hours
Case CATalyst, Eclipse, ProCAT, and Stenovations
7:30pm Happy Hour by the Pool & Student Mixer
Cash Bar and Music by David Villanueva
Saturday, July 9, 2016
6:00am — Registration Open & 7:00am — Exhibit Hall Open
6:00am to 7:00am
Fun Walk/Run
Get your exercise early in honor of Courtney Guthrie on a 2.5 mile
route along the beautiful San Antonio Riverwalk.
($25—FAIR‐PAC Donation)
6:30am to 7:30 am (Early Bird Session)
The Sassy Guide to Healing Foods and Harmful Foods
Speaker: Sassy Chef (Heather)
1.0 CE hour
Have fun cooking foods that prevent/aid against cancer. Sassy Chef
will educate us on preventing cancer the fun and healthy way.
Nutrition for optimal mental performance.
7:30am to 8:00am — BREAK
8:00am to 9:30am
Wrongly Convicted — Keynote Speaker
Speaker: Michael Morton
1.5 CE hours
Since his time in prison, Morton has written a book about his
experience, titled Getting Life: An Innocent Man’s 25‐Year Journey
from Prison to Peace: A Memoir, and his experience was also the focus
of An Unreal Dream: The Michael Morton Story, a documentary.
Morton's case was a highly influential one, resulting in the Texas
Legislature passing the Michael Morton Act, which effectively
revolutionized the approach toward criminal cases in the state.
Among the changes were the handling of open‐file discoveries. The
presence of Morton at this legal event certainly says something
about the desire for legal transparency in Texas.
9:30am to 10:00am — BREAK
10:00am to 11:00am — Choose one to attend:
Conviction Integrity Unit
Speaker: Nico Lahood, Bexar County Criminal District Attorney
1.0 CE hour
The DA will be discussing the new units he established during his first year in office, such as the Convic on Integrity Unit, changing the culture of the office and building a rela onship with the community built on trust and transparency.
HIPAA and Data Privacy
Speaker: Nancy Varallo
1.0 CE hour (Ethics/Rules)
Personal Health Information (PHI) and Personally Identifiable
Information (PII) are protected by government regulations. Is a
lawyer a covered entity? Is a court reporter a business associate?
Nancy will review best practices for handling the protected
information you encounter every day.
2016 TCRA Annual Convention Agenda2016 TCRA Annual Convention Agenda2016 TCRA Annual Convention Agenda
Saturday, July 9, 2016 (cont’d) 11:00am to 11:15am — BREAK
11:15am to 12:15pm — Choose one to attend:
Q&A with Evans and Slayton
Speakers: Jimmy Evans and David Slayton
1.0 CE hour (Ethics/Rules)
Open discussion with your TCRA lobbyist, Jimmy Evans, and the
Administrative Director of the Office of Court Administration,
David Slayton. Get your questions ready for these two who can
provide answers and information regarding legislative issues and
governmental issues affecting court reporting and YOU!
Leaks, Signs and Cyber Fraud
Speaker: Willie Ng, Chief of Investigation Division, Bexar County
1.0 CE hours
Willie Ng will be discussing the changes he has made pertaining to
the Criminal Inves ga on Division, new units established and
partnerships created. Willie will also be covering a few crime
preven on ps and crime trends.
12:15pm to 12:30pm — BREAK
12:30pm to 1:30pm — President’s Banquet and Luncheon
Choose one to attend:
1:30pm to 3:00pm
Your Worst Nightmare — The Active Shooter
Speaker: Mark Herrera
1.5 CE hours
This live demonstration is designed to enhance situational
awareness by providing training to enhance mental preparation,
response and mitigation to environmental threats. Attendees will
receive the tools of survival by learning to scan the environment and
sense danger, challenges and opportunities, while maintaining the
ability to conduct normal activities.
1:45pm to 2:45pm
The Technojunkie Fix
Speaker: Brooke Wagner
1.0 CE hour
From useful apps to portable printers, videotaping your own
videoconferences and wireless microphones, there’s a lot more to
reporting technology than your steno machine and CAT software.
2:45pm to 3:00pm — BREAK
3:00pm to 4:30pm — Choose one to attend:
Freelance Forum or Officials Forum
1.5 CE hours (Ethics/Rules)
Please join the respective committees in a robust discussion of
current scenarios that reporters have to deal with on a daily basis.
4:30pm to 4:45pm — BREAK
4:45pm to 5:45pm — Choose one to attend:
Brotherly Love
Speakers: Wallace Jefferson, Former Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court of Texas, and Lamont Jefferson, Attorney
1.0 CE hour
Wallace Jefferson, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of
Texas, and his brother, Lamont Jefferson, a top litigator across the
state of Texas, team up in this session and offer an opportunity to
learn from the legal minds of two brothers whose combined
experience with court reporters and the legal system is unmatched
in our legal community. Their extensive knowledge ranges from the
partnership of court reporter and attorney in deposition work to the
use of the Reporter's Record in the Supreme Court of Texas.
Controlling Your Retirement Before It Controls You
Speaker: Trel Lloyd
1.0 CE hour
Trel Lloyd of MassMutual specializes in advanced preparing for
retirement, social security, tax‐free income for life. He will discuss
how to set up protective insurance while on the way to retirement
such as life insurance, long‐term care and disability insurance.
5:45pm to 6:00pm — BREAK
6:00pm to 7:00pm
Realtime TRAIN—The Rhythm of Your Future
Speaker: Kristen Kopp
1.0 CE hour
From the reasons to do realtime to how to conquer realtime
challenges, this session will definitely set you up for your success.
8:00pm to 8:30pm
Awards Ceremony Honoring TCRA’s Shining Stars
8:30pm to 12:00am
Dancing With the Stars
Music and dancing with San Antonio’s very own Court Jesters—a
local band of judges and lawyers. Live auction during the first break.
2016 TCRA Annual Convention Agenda2016 TCRA Annual Convention Agenda2016 TCRA Annual Convention Agenda
Court Jesters
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Choose one to attend:
8:00am to 9:00am
Seven Practices of Highly Profitable Court Reporters
Speaker: Steve Zinone
1.0 CE hour
This presentation contains valuable information regarding
current trends in the industry based upon NCRA’s Firm Owners
Benchmark Survey. Marketing, branding, online presence and
professionalism will also be covered in this fast‐paced information
packed session given by NCRA’s President, Steve Zinone, RPR.
8:00am to 10:00am
Shorthand for the 21st Century
Speaker: Ed Varallo
2.0 CE hours
Our fast‐paced court reporting world demands that we write
smarter. Ed Varallo, a six‐time NCRA speed contest champion, will
outline his systematic approach to writing shorthand which is
designed to require less physical effort, produce better realtime
output and thus reduce editing/scoping time. Ed will share his tips
and techniques that will set you on the path to unleash the Realtime
Superstar inside you!
Choose one to attend:
9:15am to 10:15am
Create Your Dream Team
Speaker: Luis Munoz
1.0 CE hour
This session will focus on how building an all‐star team around you
and utilizing it can make any dream come true. Whether business or
personal, we all need the right people around us. In addition, we need
to know how to be a part of a team and how to find those who
complement our strengths and weaknesses.
9:15am to 12:15pm
Let’s Edit from the Steno Machine on the Job!
Speaker: Mark Kislingbury
3.0 CE hours
The more you’re able to fix while on the job, the less work you have
to do when you get home! Mark will show you the kinds of
commands/macros he launches from the steno keyboard to edit
while on the job. Time is money and these will save you time!
10:30am to 11:30am
Dreams in Action
Speaker: Rob Zeke
1.0 CE hour
Allow comedy hypnotist Rob Zeke to take you through a journey of
the mind with his fun –filled and energetic comedy hypnosis show.
You will laugh and be amazed while participating in this volunteer
driven comedy hypnosis event. Get ready to experience your dreams
in action.
(CE, CEUs pending at time of printing with JBCC and NCRA.)
2016 TCRA Annual Convention Agenda2016 TCRA Annual Convention Agenda2016 TCRA Annual Convention Agenda
Fun Walk/Run Info $25—FAIR‐PAC Donation
Get your exercise early in honor of
Courtney Guthrie.
A 2.5 mile route along the
beautiful San Antonio Riverwalk.
Please join us along with LifeGift, a not‐for‐profit organ procurement organization, Saturday, July 9th, at 6:00 a.m., for a memorial "dash" on the Riverwalk in honor of one of our fellow colleagues and a member of the 2016 Annual Convention Committee, Courtney Guthrie. Courtney truly made her 27‐year‐long dash count in the lives she touched personally and also those to whom she donated her organs and those who will receive the organs. She never took any day for granted, and she lived life to the fullest and always wore a smile and spread joy. Due to a heart and double lung transplant, Courtney was not able to run while here on earth. However, we are grateful knowing that she is now running in heaven. We thought that there was no better way to celebrate her life than to raise awareness about Congenital Heart Defect and organ donation. You won't want to miss this. Spots are limited. If you are unable to attend, please consider donating to FAIR‐PAC in honor of Courtney.
NCRA Certified Realtime Captioner WorkshopNCRA Certified Realtime Captioner WorkshopNCRA Certified Realtime Captioner Workshop
Friday, July 8, 2016
8:30am — Texas CART Exam (Optional)
10:30am to 11:15am — Choose one to attend:
Captioning Overview and Introductions
Employee vs. I.C.
Why captioning? Myths (including word substitutions)
What is captioning? Differences between CART and broadcast.
Who are the consumers? Role of the captioner.
Transition from Legal Reporting
Theory 101 and writing changes.
Prefix/suffix handouts and homework.
Captioning specific defines, positioning, punctuation, blank and pass
and speaker identification.
11:15am to 12:00pm
Creating Your Own Unabridged Dictionary
Dictionary maintenance and briefs, conflicts, numbers, finger‐
spelling, parentheticals, job dictionaries and word boundary
problems.
12:00pm to 1:30pm — Annual Business Meeting & Luncheon &
Grassroots Lobbying
Speaker: Jimmy Evans, Includes 0.5 CE Hour
1:45pm to 2:45pm
What’s the Story? Insights on Prepping
Upper/lower case, foreign terms, scripting, music and lyrics,
research and prepping for captioning.
2:45pm to 3:00pm — BREAK
Friday, July 8, 2016 (cont’d)
3:00pm to 4:00pm
How Truly Accurate is Your Writing
5 minute news video, review writing, address issues, calculate TER,
and repeat.
4:00pm to 5:15pm
Day in the Life of a Certified Realtime Captioner
Day in the life of a Certified Realtime Captioner. How to set up
home office, hardware and software.
Saturday, July 9, 2016
10:00am to 11:00am
Preparing for an Assignment
Step by step before an assignment, troubleshooting, steps after an
assignment.
11:00am to 11:15am — BREAK
11:15am to 12:15pm
Organizing the Home Office
Organizational skills, paperwork, invoicing, record keeping, business
Management and time for Q&A.
12:30pm to 1:30pm — President’s Banquet and Luncheon
1:45pm to 2:45pm
Your Visual Display: Achieving the Best Outcome
CART captioning screen display, various settings: internet,
classroom and various platforms—1CapApp, StreamText,
Blackboard Collaborate and Skype.
2:45pm to 3:00pm — BREAK
3:00pm to 4:30pm
CART Captioning Venues Near and Far
Venues—onsite and Remote CART captioning.
Captioning from a hotel, theatre captioning, radio captioning,
mobile and other venues.
4:30pm to 4:45pm — BREAK
4:45pm to 5:45pm
Professional Standards and Guidelines
NCRA Captioning Guidelines, NCRA CART Guidelines, COPE, FCC,
Q&A.
Become a Certified Realtime Captioner and take advantage of the growing number of opportunities becoming available to realtime captioners. The CRC is a special‐training certification designed for those who either currently work or would like to begin working in the broadcast captioning or CART captioning fields. Attend the CRC workshop and become eligible to sit for Skills & Written exams.
Earn 10.75 CE hours! Learn more about the CRC here.
Classes will be presented by Deanna Baker, RMR, FAPR
and Heidi Thomas, FAPR, RDR, RMR, CRR, CBC.
Student SeminarStudent SeminarStudent Seminar
Saturday, July 9, 2016
6:00am — Registration Opens
8:00am to 9:30am — Wrongly Convicted
Speaker: Michael Morton, see page 2 for full details.
10:00am to 11:00am
B4YKI
Speaker: Karen Morris
You will be a Texas CSR #2016. Tips and Tricks in preparing yourself
to become a Texas CSR, in addition to what you learn in school.
Karen Morris will introduce you to what she and her husband have
discovered in the 20‐plus years of their journey tutoring students to
complete and compete in the reporting field. Come ready to leave
positive and to move forward and B4YKI — ULB a Texas CSR #2016.
11:15am to 12:15pm
The Many Uses of CART
Speakers: Sara Filippone, Deafness Resource Specialist‐Region 8,
Sylvia Kerr and Kristi Herrera
Learn how CART is utilized by the deaf and hard of hearing
consumers and the many benefits it provides. Find out the many
places it is used in and the different ways it is projected and
transmitted.
12:30pm to 1:30pm — President’s Banquet and Luncheon
1:45pm to 2:45pm
Preparation and Organizational Tips for Success
Speakers: Kensie Benoit and Candice Andino
Reporters Kensie and Candice reveal informative tips they have
adopted throughout their careers, sharing with you effective and
efficient techniques to facilitate the transition from student to
working reporter.
3:00pm to 4:30pm
Beyond Words: The Subconscious Language of Body and Dress
Speaker: Brittany Mann
Unfair as it may be, we judge others and, in turn, we are judged on
appearance. Learn how having a professional appearance can boost
the chance for workplace success and how not having one can lead to
disaster.
4:45pm to 5:45pm
Perfecting Your Practicing Skills
Speakers: Erminia Uviedo and Leticia Salas
Learn how practice makes perfection. When to practice and when not
to practice. Take your speed to the next level.
8:00pm to 8:30pm — Awards Ceremony
Honoring TCRA’s Shining Stars
8:30pm to 12:00am — Dancing With the Stars
See Full Agenda for more details.
Silent Auction benefitting the
Student Scholarship Fund
The TCRA Student Committee is asking all
reporters and firms to consider donating an item to be
auctioned. Items may be mailed to TCRA Headquarters by
Friday, June 17, or you may bring the item with you to the
convention. Please email TCRA HQ at
[email protected] with the name of the item,
description, a photo to include on social media and its
retail value.
Your continued support of students helps ensure the
protection of our profession in the future. Thank you!
Sponsor a Student to Attend $110 will allow a court reporting student to attend the
Student Seminar on Saturday.
$165 will allow a court reporting student to attend the
Full Convention & Student Seminar on Saturday.
Both sponsorships include a complimentary TCRA
Student Membership through 8/31/2017.
Student Sponsorship Criteria Be reporting through the use of shorthand machine
method.
Be currently enrolled and in actual attendance in a court
reporting school in the State of Texas.
Be able to commit to volunteer on‐site at the
convention a minimum of 2 hours.
Fill out the request form completely and submit no later
than May 15, 2016. Find form here.
Students will be notified via email if they have been
sponsored no later than June 1, 2016. If you are
sponsored and unable to attend, it is your responsibility to
contact TCRA immediately. This allows us to open up the
spot to another deserving student. By being a
no‐show, you prevent another student from attending.
If a ending as a sponsored student, you
will be emailed a link to sign up for
volunteer mes.
You will only pay for the exam if you wish for it to be graded.
Total: $________________
Please consider paying with cash or check to save TCRA on credit card fees.
Return to: Texas Court Reporters Association, PO Box 2379, Athens, TX 75751
Email: [email protected] // Phone: 903‐675‐1806 or Toll Free 877‐277‐8272 // Fax: 903‐675‐2619
Name: CSR #: NCRA #:
Nickname for Badge: Court/Firm:
Address:
City, State, ZIP: Please circle one: Freelance Official CART/Captioner
Phone: Email:
Dietary Restrictions: Special Accessibility Needs:
Payment Method: Payment must accompany registration form. Government Agencies must attach a purchase order.
Check Number: ____________ Purchase Order Number: _____________ County: _____________
Credit Card: American Express Discover MasterCard Visa
Card Number __________________________________________________ Expiration Date _____________________
Name on Card _________________________________________________ Billing Zip Code _____________________
Full Convention Registration Rates Member Non‐Member Guest
Early Bird $325 $450 $225
NCRA Certified Realtime Captioner Workshop & Full Convention $325 $425
1‐Day Registration Rates Member Non‐Member Guest
Friday Only Early Bird $175 $300 $125
Saturday Only Early Bird $175 $300 $125
Individual Event Tickets — (Full Convention registration includes one (1) entry for each event. Friday Only includes one (1) entry for Friday’s
Happy Hour. Saturday Only includes one (1) entry for Saturday’s Dancing With the Stars )
Annual Business Meeting & Luncheon $50 x ____ $50 x ____ $50 x ____
President’s Banquet Luncheon $50 x ____ $50 x ____ $50 x ____
President’s Party (Dancing With the Stars) $25 x ____ $25 x ____ $25 x ____
Guests Name(s): _________________________________________________________________ Quan ty of Tickets: ______
Student or Student Sponsor — (Includes TCRA Student Membership through August 31, 2017.)
Full $165 x ____________ Total:
Saturday Only $110 x ____________ Total:
Fun Walk/Run — FAIR‐PAC Donation $25 $25
NCRA Certified Realtime Captioner Workshop Only $275 $375
Speed Cup — Thursday, 7/7 $50 CART Exam — Friday, 7/8 RSVP
Realtime — Friday, 7/8 $50 TMR Exam — Friday 7/8 RSVP
TCRR Exam — Friday 7/8 RSVP
Contests/Exams
2016 TCRA Annual Convention2016 TCRA Annual Convention2016 TCRA Annual Convention Grand Hyatt Grand Hyatt Grand Hyatt ‐‐‐ San Antonio, TX San Antonio, TX San Antonio, TX ‐‐‐ July 7July 7July 7‐‐‐10, 201610, 201610, 2016 REGISTRATION FORM REGISTRATION FORM REGISTRATION FORM ‐‐‐ EARLY BIRD DEADLINE: June 17, 2016EARLY BIRD DEADLINE: June 17, 2016EARLY BIRD DEADLINE: June 17, 2016
Early Bird Registration Deadline: June 17, 2016.
After Early Bird Registration, prices will increase to the following:
Full Convention: Individuals who purchase a “Full” registration (Friday‐Sunday) will receive a name badge, access to general/concurrent
sessions, handouts, convention program, CE hours, admittance to Exhibit Hall, refreshment breaks and lunch on Friday & Saturday.
1‐Day Only: Individuals who purchase a “1‐Day Only” registration will receive a name badge, access to general/concurrent sessions,
handouts, convention program, CE hours, access to Exhibit Hall, refreshment breaks and lunch on either Friday or Saturday.
CRC Full: Individuals who purchase a CRC Full registra on (Friday‐Sunday) will receive a name badge, access to general/concurrent sessions,
handouts, conven on program, CE hours, admi ance to Exhibit Hall, refreshments, lunch on Friday & Saturday and evening events.
CRC Only: Individuals who purchase a CRC Only registra on (Friday‐Saturday) will receive a name badge, access to CRC workshop sessions
only, handouts, conven on program, CE hours, admi ance to Exhibit Hall, refreshments, lunch on Friday & Saturday and evening
events. No general or concurrent sessions access will be awarded.
Spouse/Guests receive all above except CE hours.
TCRA Registration & Cancellation Policies
1. Payment in full must accompany all registrations. Registrations received without payment will not be processed.
Registration forms must be mailed, faxed, telephoned or emailed to TCRA Headquarters.
2. Confirmation & event details will be sent to each registrant whose registration form is marked with an email address and is
received by Friday, July 1, 2016 at 5:00 pm.
3. Substitutions may be made for the entire convention (no “split” registrations.) Written notifications of substitution must be
received by mail, email or fax and received by Friday, June 17, 2016 at 5:00 pm.
4. If you plan to register on‐site, please contact TCRA prior to the annual convention about optional events to ensure space
availability. There is a possibility that this event may sell out and TCRA may not be able to accept on‐site optional events.
5. The Annual Convention and optional events will be limited to the number of registrations we are able to adequately accommodate.
6. Written requests for refund must be postmarked by the early registration cutoff date. A 15% administrative fee shall be assessed for
each cancellation. No refunds will be given to requests received after the deadline or for “no shows.”
7. Refunds will be processed after the event; please allow 4‐6 weeks. TCRA is not responsible for nonrefundable airline tickets or other
travel expenses.
8. Food guarantees must be given to all meal events, and packets must be prepared in advance; therefore, no refunds will be given for
cancellations received after the cancellation time/date.
9. Should you have need for a specialized (vegetarian or gluten‐free) meal, please be sure that this need is identified. We are unable to
serve specialized meals without advanced notice (2 weeks prior to event).
10. To obtain the TCRA Membership registration fee rate, registrant must join or renew their TCRA Membership before or at the same
time the registration fee is submitted.
11. CE credits will not be awarded to students or to non‐reporter attendees, unless the “CSR” registration is paid.
Questions?
TCRA Staff will be happy to answer any questions you have pertaining to convention registration.
For on‐site availability, please call TCRA.
Please note that Staff will depart on Tuesday, July 5, 2016. Please call TCRA Staff at (903) 675‐1806.
TCRATCRATCRA Registration PoliciesRegistration PoliciesRegistration Policies
Full Convention Registration Rates Member Non‐Member Guest
On‐Site $425 $550 $325
1‐Day Registration Rates Member Non‐Member Guest
Friday Only On‐Site $275 $400 $225
Saturday Only On‐Site $275 $400 $225
Thursday, July 7th at 9:00am Friday, July 8th at 7:30am
The Speed Cup is awarded to the reporter displaying the highest accuracy and speed in a timed writing. The dictation speeds are 220 wpm Literary, 230 wpm Legal Opinion, and 280 wpm Q&A. In order to qualify, a contestant must have at least 95% accuracy in all three categories. Registrants must be a TCRA Professional member, NCRA member, a current resident of Texas and a Registered Merit Reporter. Registrants must also bring their own equipment, extension cord, and a power strip.
This competition consists of five minutes of Q&A dictation at 200 wpm written via realtime to a computer, no editing allowed. The contestants must create an ASCII file of the unedited contest material and in order to qualify, they must have at least 96% accuracy. Registrants must be a Texas CSR, a TCRA Professional member and a current resident of Texas. Contestants must bring their own equipment, extension cord, power strip and provide backup media.
Fee: $50 Fee: $50
Speed Cup Contest Realtime Contest
CART Exam, Friday, July 8th at 8:30am Written Knowledge Exam available on the TCRA website
The Texas CART Certification Exam is a two‐part exam consisting of a Written Knowledge Test (WKT) and a Skills Exam. The CART Exam consists of a seven‐minute skills exam, dictated (live or oral). Individuals must bring their steno machine, laptop computer, extension cord, power strip and removable media to store and export a text file. Removable media will not be returned. Fee: $100
The Written Knowledge Exam is a 45‐minute, 50‐question, multiple‐choice test. The exam may be taken by the applicant at anytime prior to or after the machine (skills exam). The online exam fee is $75 and you may register for that on the TCRA website.
TMR (Texas Merit Reporter) Exam Friday, July 8th at 4:15pm
Written Knowledge Exam available on the TCRA website
The TMR exam is a 2‐part exam consisting of a skills and writ‐ten knowledge exam. The skills exam will consist of five minutes each of Literary at 200 wpm, Jury Charge at 240 wpm, and Q&A at 260 wpm. The examinee must pass at a rate of 95% accuracy. Participants must bring their steno machine, laptop computer, CD or other removable media, extension cord and power strip. You will have 3 hours to complete your transcripts. Printers will be provided on‐site for final drafts only. If you want to print for proofing, you must bring your own printer. Fee: $100
The written knowledge exam will consist of 100 multiple‐choice test questions which you will have an hour to answer. The online exam fee is $75 and you may register for that on the TCRA website.
Read more about the Specialization Exams at:
https://www.tcra‐online.com/index.cfm?pg=SpecializationExams
TCRR (Texas Certified Realtime Reporter) Exam Friday, July 8th at 4:15pm
The Texas Certified Realtime Reporter exam certifies that a reporter possesses an enhanced level of skills, knowledge, and experience required to make a realtime verbatim record in this state, and that the reporter possesses a professional membership in TCRA while earning continuing education to advance his/her knowledge in all aspects of reporting that go above and beyond those required by statute. Fee: $120
The TCRR exam consists of seven minutes of Q&A at 200 wpm, of which only five minutes will be graded. The examinee must write via realtime to a computer without editing. Upon instruction, must create an ASCII file. In order to receive the TCRR designation, examinee must achieve at least 96% accuracy. Registrant must also bring their steno machine, laptop computer, CD or other removable media, extension cord and power strip.
Specialization Exams
Any registered and eligible attendee may sit for the Specialization Exams that will be given and only pay the exam fee if you wish for it to be graded.
You MUST RSVP on the registration form by the Early Bird deadline in order to reserve your spot. Seating is limited.
ContestsContestsContests and Specialization Examsand Specialization Examsand Specialization Exams
Grand Hyatt
600 E. Market Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
For reservations, click here: https://resweb.passkey.com/go/TCRA2016
The cut‐off date for room reservations is June 17, 2016 or earlier if the room block sells out. Act early to ensure
room and rate availability.
Parking
Self‐parking is discounted to $12 per vehicle, for all attendees. Valet parking is available for $39 per day. Travel Directions
Coming from Austin and Dallas (I‐35) Follow I‐35 South to I‐37 South and exit 141A to Commerce Street. Turn left on South Alamo Street and then a left on Market Street.
Coming from Houston (I‐10) Follow I‐10 West to I‐37 North, exit 141A towards Commerce Street. Turn left on South Alamo Street and then a left on Market Street.
Coming From El Paso, San Angelo and Kerrville (I‐10 East) Take I‐10 East to I‐35 North and exit I‐37 South. Exit 141A towards Commerce Street. Turn left on South Alamo Street and then a left on Market Street.
Coming From Laredo (I‐35 North) Take 1‐35 North and exit I‐37 South. Exit 141A towards Commerce Street. Turn left on South Alamo Street and then a left on Market Street.
Coming from Corpus Christi (I‐37 North) Take I‐35 North and exit I‐37 South. Exit 141 A Commerce Street. Turn Left on South Alamo Street and then a left on Market Street.
Shuttle transportation to and from San Antonio International Airport and downtown (8 miles) is provided for a fee by SATRANS, the city's official airport shuttle, between 7:00 AM and 1:00 AM daily. Reservations are required. For more information, call +1‐210‐281‐9900, or visit www.saairportshuttle.com
Taxis can be pre‐arranged to provide you with the quickest and most efficient mode of transportation. You can pre‐arrange your taxi by visiting their website at http://sataxis.com/ or call 210 ‐444‐2222.
San Antonio’s Riverwalk, Spanish colonial architecture, and parks and plazas make it one of America’s most picturesque cities. As one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, San Antonio
offers modern convenience in the middle of a historic city with diverse artistry, ethnic cuisine and
exquisite culture.
Hotel and TravelHotel and TravelHotel and Travel
Texas Court Reporters Association
PO Box 2379
Athens, TX 75751
www.tcra‐online.com
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