The 2006 FICP Educational Forum will sport an improved format and sponsorship program. The summer educational event will take place June 14 to 16 at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Ga., outside of Atlanta. Named one of “The World's Best Places to Stay” on Condé Nast Traveler's 2006 Gold List, the lakeside, 251-room resort has 99 holes of golf and 15,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.

Based on feedback from FICP members, the forum will begin Wednesday evening with a welcoming reception and conclude Friday. Educational programs will take place throughout the day Thursday and on Friday morning, with networking events scheduled for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and during breaks. Previous forums concluded on Saturday, requiring weekend travel.

With a strategic focus on education, FICP believes it needs to offer senior-level opportunities beyond the annual conference. Therefore, the forum's design team is assembling a program of value to both novice and veteran planners.

Another change is that meeting sponsors will be welcome throughout the program, enabling sponsoring hospitality partners to have face time with planner attendees for the duration of the event. Both planners and hospitality partners have expressed their desire for networking opportunities.

Karyn Rizzo, CMP, Sun Life Financial, is FICP vice president, education, and chair of the 2006 Forum Design Team. The team includes Sharon Chapman, CMP, John McGuire, Stephanie Olivero, Jennifer Sullivan, and Sarah Wahlert.

To register, and for more information, go to www.ficpnet.com.