Based on the responses to the interest survey that was included in the initial notice of March 11, we have developed a preliminary agenda for the 9th annual CMBG Conference. It looks to be a very interesting and exciting program.  Just as a reminder, here are the conference particulars:

Theme: Don’t Gamble with Configuration Management - Managing Risk

When:                     October 6 – 9, 2002

Location:                Trump Taj Mahal

1000 Boardwalk at Virginia Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Reservation: 1-800-825-8888
Fax: 609-449-5501
Website: http://www.trumptaj.com

A copy of the tentative schedule is attached.  This year we will have 8 presentations and 8 breakout sessions, based on the input received from the interest surveys.  The format for this years conference will be to have Presentations during the morning sessions and conduct the breakout sessions in the afternoon.  We have designed a unique approach to the breakout sessions by having a combination of information exchanges and work shops.  The information exchanges will be 90 minutes in length and provide an forum for attendees to discuss the session topic using an open dialogue format.  There would be session moderators to keep the dialogue moving in a constructive and informative direction.  The work shops would be 3 hours in length and provide a structured approach using a facilitator and a subject matter expert to solve a specific issue or problem that the group determines during the problem statement development process.  You will be able to attend two information exchanges or one workshop each afternoon.  The presentation topics are being finalized as of this mailing, and we will be making another mailing, once the presenters have been contacted and more details can be provided.  At this time we would like you to identify the breakout sessions you want to attend.  This is not a hard commitment but will help identify the room scheduling and space needs.  If you are interested in making a presentation on the topics listed on Attachment 1, please contact Bob Beard at 856-339-7800 or you may email Bob at  robert.beard@pseg.com

The Conference registration fee this year will remain at $175 which includes breakfast,  lunch and refreshments during breaks as well as the service fees for the CMBG website hosting and domain name.  To see the results of previous conferences, go to the Configuration Management Benchmarking Group website at www.cmbg.org.

We are finalizing the on-line registration and electronic payment options through PayPal via the CMBG web site. This will allow payment by an electronic check or credit card.  As always, we will also accept mail-in registration and payment.  The details will be sent out shortly.

You are encouraged to make your hotel reservations as early as possible by calling 1-800-825-8888.  Inform the hotel reservations desk that you are attending the CMBG/ PSEG Nuclear Conference  to receive the $125/ night rate (single or double).  The cut off date for this rate is September 6, 2002.  After this date, reservations will be accepted on an availability basis only and subject to the prevailing rates.

A one night reservation deposit will be applied to the last night of the reservation.  Any guest departing early will forfeit the deposit, unless the guest revised their departure date at the time of check in.

Cancellation of individual reservations not received by the hotel at least 48 hours in advance of the arrival date, will be charged one night’s room rate.  This charge will be applied the credit card which guaranteed the reservation.

Check in time is 6 PM on Sundays, 4 PM Monday through Saturday. Check out is noon.  Departures after noon will be charged a late check out fee of 50% of the room rate.  Departures after 6 PM will be charged an additional night’s room rate.

We have arranged for a small block of rooms for Saturday night for those who  wish to arrive before the conference to take advantage of discounted weekend air fares and the warm October temperatures.  Due to the high demand for rooms during weekends, the discounted group rate is not available.  The room charge for Saturday night is $275 (single or double).  The hotel will average the room charge over the entire length of stay if you desire. You may make arrangements for this payment method with the hotel at check in.

If you want to come early but do not wish to stay in Atlantic City on Saturday night, 50 miles to the south is historic Cape May which has charming Victorian Bed and Breakfast houses  with great family beaches (http://www.capemay.com).  The Wildwoods (http://www.wildwoods.com ) are 45 miles to the south which has great beaches, a boardwalk and amusement piers.  Ocean City (http://www.oceancitynj.com) is just 15 minutes to the south of Atlantic City and is a nice family oriented location with a boardwalk and great beaches.

Airfare

Some airlines do fly into Atlantic City airport which is 15 minutes from the hotel.  However, since there are not many direct flights into Atlantic City Airport, a better option is to fly in to Philadelphia International Airport, which is just 50 miles away.  From there, you can rent a car or take a limousine or shuttle bus from the airport.

2003 Conference

As a reminder, The 2003 conference is scheduled for June 15-18, 2003, and will be held at the Hershey Hotel in Hershey, PA.  This is the 10^th anniversary of the first CMBG conference and will again, be hosted by PPL Susquehanna, LLC (a subsidiary of what is now PPL Corporation).  More detailed information for this conference will be available at this years conference during registration.

If you have any questions or comments, please forward to:

Robert L Beard
PSEG Nuclear
Mail code N29
PO Box 236
Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038

Or e-mail to robert.beard@pseg.com .

You may also contact me via phone at 856-339-1607 or Robert Beard at 856-339-7800.

Sincerely,

Victor Fregonese

Design Engineering Manager

Attachment 1

Theme- “DON’T GAMBLE WITH CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT- Managing the Risk”

Presentation and break out topics:

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

Ø      Work-force Aging  and Leaving the Industry (IE)

Ø      Utility Practices for maintaining As-Built information (IE)

Ø      Human Performance (IE)

Ø      CM processes for controlling Calculations (WS)

PROCESS MANAGEMENT

Ø      Performance Indicators (WS)

Ø      Document Management (IE)

Ø      Self Assessment (IE)

OPERATIONAL CONFIGURATION

Ø      Procedures Containing Facilities Change Information (IE)

(IE)- Information Exchange break out

(WS)- Work Shop break out

Breakout Topic Interest Form

Please complete this form directly on the CMBG website (http://www.cmbg.org/2002Info/breakout.htm)  or you may fill it out and e-mail or fax to:

Robert L Beard
PSEG Nuclear
Mail code N29
PO Box 236
Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038

Fax: 856-339-5371

Or e-mail to robert.beard@pseg.com .

Please indicate the sessions you would be interested in attending by checking the boxes below.  Due the break outs session design, you may select either two information exchanges or one work Shop each day..  Information Exchanges are 90 minutes and work shops are 3 hours.

Monday, October 7

Information Exchange 1                CM Process Human Performance

Information Exchange 2               Utility practices for maintaining As-built Design Documentation

Information Exchange 3                CM Self Assessment Activities

Work Shop 1                                 Performance Indicators “The CM Compass"

Tuesday, October 8

Information Exchange 4               Aging Work Force- Retaining the Knowledge Base Through Training

Information Exchange 5               Document Management Applications & Interfaces with the CM Process

Information Exchange 6               Use of Procedures to Control Facilities Change Information

Work Shop 2                                 CM Processes for Controlling Changes to Calculations

Name: _______________________   Utility:__________________________