PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

Every attempt will be made not to deviate from the below schedule; however, NASO reserves the right to make changes when necessary without notice. Please check back often to ensure you have the latest schedule.

Sun Jul 27
12:00p	–	7:00p	Registration Open
10:00a	–	3:00p	Ohio High School Athletic Association Leadership Conference
1:00p	–	4:00p	A TOUR OF CLEVELAND [OPTIONAL ACTIVITY]
6:30p	–	7:30p	2008 Sports Officiating Opening & Keynote Presentation
7:30p	–	9:30p	WELCOME RECEPTION
Mon Jul 28
7:00a	–	5:00p	Registration Open
8:00a	–	12:00p	Exhibit Hall Open
8:00a	–	8:30a	A Higher Calling
8:45a	–	9:45a	Officiating Standards in Practice
9:30a	–	11:00a	GUEST WELCOME RECEPTION
10:00a	–	10:45a	Hot Topic: Everything You Need to Know About Background Checks
12:15p	–	1:30p	THE OFFICIATING INDUSTRY LUNCHEON
1:30p	–	5:30p	Exhibit Hall Open
1:45p	–	2:30p	Talent is Not Enough
2:45p	–	4:00p	Gametime: Sport-by-Sport Breakouts
7:05p			Cleveland Indians vs. Detroit Tigers
Tue Jul 29
7:30a	–	5:00p	Registration Open
8:00a	–	8:45a	Indisputable Video Evidence: Peak Performance
9:00a	–	10:00a	Conduct Unbecoming
10:15a	–	11:00a	Hot Topic: Current Legal Issues: Your Questions Answered
11:15a	–	12:00p	OHSAA Raises the Bar
12:15p	–	2:15p	LUNCH WORKSHOPS
			Developing the Leader Within You
			State Association Annual Forum
			Gameplan for Officiating Assignments
2:30p	–	3:15p	The Online Officiating Conversation: It's Time to Join In!
3:30p	–	4:30p	The Referee Award: Superior Officiating Performance
6:30p	–	9:00p	GOLD WHISTLE AWARD CELEBRATION

A Higher Calling
Why is it more important than ever for officials to come together with one collective voice? And how can accountability become a positive and a negative when developing standards outside and inside the lines? Lamell McMorris, founder of the Perennial Strategy Group and lead negotiator for the National Basketball Referees Association and World Umpires Association discusses the power of unity, the responsibility of officiating leaders at all levels and the importance of officiating in society.

Officiating Standards in Practice
A set of standards are developed to form an officiating program. Who sets those standards? What are those standards? And more importantly, how can you implement such standards for the officials at your levels? Officiating leaders discuss programs they’ve put in place to address responsibility and standardize officiating.

Hot Topic: Everything You Need to Know About Background Checks
In the past five years, more and more organizations have been delving into the backgrounds of current and prospective officials. And when they do, virtually all of them draw the line somewhere on who can officiate for them based on the details of their pasts. The information found on background checks can vary significantly and the costs can be all across the board. There’s much misinformation and felons fall through the cracks. We clear up the confusion so your group can develop tough standards, then implement them.

Officiating Industry Luncheon
The NFHS and NASO co-host this luncheon that provides a forum for the current state of officiating in our industry today. NFHS Executive Director Bob Kanaby and NASO President Barry Mano share observations on the successes, trends, issues, challenges and the outlook for future officiating.

Talent is Not Enough
Perseverance, initiative, focus, passion, character, responsibility and preparation are various traits in all top-level officials. Join us as we examine the personal standards that some of our officiating “superstars” have developed over the course of their careers. 

Gametime: Sport-by-Sport Breakouts
It’s time to break down officiating to the core in these concurrent sessions covering baseball, football, basketball, softball and volleyball. Sit down with fellow officials and veteran officiating leaders to go over video and analyze rules, mechanics, philosophy and hot issues — all the specifics and standards of working your games.

Indisputable Video Evidence: Peak Performance
Video plays are everywhere we look nowadays. Through You Tube, e-mails and conference websites, plays at all levels are being watched and dissected more than ever before. We uncover video that shows officiating at its finest and how those directly involved use those moments for training. Get an inside look at the finest in officiating standards on the court and on the field.

Conduct Unbecoming
When out in public or on the road, officials are easily recognizable. What are the off-court standards for officials? Can you mandate an official not step foot into a casino during the season? Can you punish an official who participates in a coach’s charitable golf outing? Those issues and more are the crux of this session as we examine if standards can be set to help the public image of officials.

Hot Topic: Current Legal Issues: Your Questions Answered
If you’ve got a legal question related to officiating, we’ve got answers! Don’t miss this live and in-person open forum presentation of NASO’s Member Information and Consultation Program (MICP) benefit. Alan Goldberger, the New Jersey lawyer and official who wrote the new, definitive book Sports Officiating: A Legal Guide; Lowell Gratigny, American Specialty Insurance & Risk Services senior vice president of litigation management; and Don Collins, a lawyer and executive director of the San Francisco section of the California Interscholastic Federation, answer all of your questions.

OHSAA Raises the Bar
By increasing the standards and requirements to become an official, Ohio actually increased registrations and improved retention. Find out how. Plus, state office personnel and local association leaders will want to be present as Ohio unveils its finding from an expansive 2007 survey concerning high school sports and officiating.

The Online Officiating Conversation: It’s Time to Join In!
Officiating information available through blogs, chat rooms and websites is more prevalent than ever before. We present the online inventory of what’s out there. Do you control and manage the information presented for public viewing? More importantly, how can your organization implement a strategy to join the conversation? We examine how.

The Referee Award: Superior Officiating Performance
For the first time ever, Referee magazine presents its awards for the greatest calls in officiating history. See the plays and hear about the calls from those directly involved in making them. It’s a celebration of officiating’s best moments of all time — don’t miss this one!