2009 Annual Conference Cancelled

The October 28-30, 2009, meeting of the NCMC in Orlando, Florida was called off by the Executive Committee in late August because of a limited number of registrations due to the recession and severe cuts in travel and education budgets for trial courts across America.   It is only the second time in the 46 year history of the National Conference of Metropolitan Courts that it has cancelled its Annual Meeting and Education Conference; the first time in 2005, as a result of Hurricane Katrina when the Conference was scheduled to meet in New Orleans that fall. 

Many metro trial courts sustained 10-15 percent across-the-board reductions early in the year and are facing further reductions as cities, states and counties, the principal funding sources for state and local trial courts, struggle with low revenues and a lingering poor economy.  “Travel and training budgets are often the first to go when budgets are cut,” Gordon Griller, NCMC’s Executive Director noted.  “We are hopeful that the turnaround some are beginning to see in the private sector now cascades to the public arena in 2010,” he said.  Griller further remarked that the great irony in this circumstance is that in tough times it is all the more important for court leaders to get together to share insights on efficiencies, improved management, and better ways to operate.

Education Site: Los Angeles Superior Courthouse, 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Accommodations: Each attendee is requested to arrange their own lodging. Contact the NCMC secretariat c/o National Center for State Courts for a list of hotels.

Travel: Each attendee is responsible for their own transportation to the education site.

Special Events: Receptions, group dinners and hosted gatherings will be scheduled at venues in downtown LA.