The United States Postal Service National Center for Employee Development (NCED) is located in America's heartland and provides a unique environment for outstanding meeting success. Located on a 55-acre campus in Norman, Oklahoma, the NCED offers fully-equipped instructional, conference, housing, dining, and recreational facilities in a self-contained complex designed for training and conference purposes. The spacious facility offers over 22,000 ft. sq. of meeting space and 949 guest rooms. Just minutes from the University of Oklahoma and the cultural events that surround a university community, the facility's rural location provides a calming, mind-opening environment conducive to guest comfort.

The housing facility is operated by the Marriott Corporation, a company that provides unsurpassed quality service. All sessions, meetings, poster presentations, exhibitions, and symposia will be held at the NCED/Marriott Conference Center Hotel.

From Will Rogers World Airport: Take 59th Street East to I-44 South to I-240 East to I-35 South toward Dallas. Take Exit 108A East on Hwy 9 to 24th Avenue S. E. NCED/Marriott Conference Center Hotel is one block ahead on the left. The entrance sign reads "National Center for Employee Development."

View a map at mapquest.com - link will open a new window.

Be prepared for warm days and cool evenings. Although the mean monthly temperature for May is about 70 degrees F, days will be warmer toward the end of May. The last two days of May 2003 were unusual in having 100-degree weather. Nighttime temperatures will be 60-70 degrees by the end of May. May averages about six inches of rain, so don't be surprised by a thunderstorm or two (hopefully without tornadoes) while you are in Norman. See additional climate and weather data for May from the Oklahoma Climatological Survey.

Casual dress will be appropriate throughout the conference and for all social and recreational activities. In May, Norman is generally hot with the possibility of cooler evenings. For comfort in the air-conditioned meeting rooms, a light jacket or sweater is suggested. Some items that will be helpful in making your stay pleasant include an umbrella, comfortable walking shoes, and a light raincoat.

You are responsible for all travel arrangements, including procurement of visas, if necessary, and acquisition of U.S. currency sufficient for your stay. Assistance in obtaining documentation forms is available at U.S. embassies. If you require a formal letter of invitation for the 2004 annual meeting to help acquire visas or funding, please click here.