Attire

Attendees are encouraged to wear casual and comfortable clothing to the sessions and events. Neckties and similar clothing are not required, but feel free to wear what makes your comfortable. The evening calls for dresses or smart trouser suits for women, sport shirts for men. Some of the finer restaurants require men to wear a jacket. A light jacket will be comfortable in the cool evenings, as well as in the air-conditioned meeting rooms of the hotel.

Attire for the Welcome Event is casual, and tables will be set outside around the pool (weather permitting). Attire for the Under the Sea Dinner Dance is semi-formal. Men will be comfortable in a sport coat or suit, and ladies in an after-5 p.m. cocktail dress.

Eligibility

Top of the Table welcomes approved 2010 Top of the Table members and their spouses to the 2010 Top of the Table Annual Meeting.

Children

The Top of the Table Advisory Board has determined that, although children may be present at the meeting site, they will not be permitted to attend any of the meeting sessions or social functions. Meals, activities, etc., for your children will be at your own expense. Children, parents, business associates or friends of the attendee may not attend as a spouse. Please visit the Ritz-Carlton Web site to obtain information on the many child programs offered by the hotel.

Climate

In October, the average high temperature in Naples is 87 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average low of 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

Continuing Education

The 2010 Top of the Table Annual Meeting will not offer continuing education credits.

Handouts – Going Green

The Top of the Table will continue to provide electronic handouts to Top of the Table Annual Meeting attendees.

Beginning with the 2009 Annual Meeting, the Top of the Table no longer provided printed handout materials to attendees on site. We will continue this endeavor in Naples, Florida, at the 2010 Top of the Table Annual Meeting. The handout materials will be available on the MDRT Web site beginning in September and will remain posted until November. Attendees will have the ability to download, save and print any or all of the handouts available. Handouts will be in PDF format. If you prefer having a hard copy of the handout material while attending the sessions, it is strongly recommended that you print these handouts before you leave for the meeting, and take them with you to Florida to prevent having to pay on-site printing charges in the hotel business center.

Simultaneous Interpretation

The Top of the Table Annual Meeting provides simultaneous interpretation when 10 or more attendees request interpretation in the same language. If the meeting is unable to meet your interpretation needs, you will be notified. The deadline date to request simultaneous interpretation is Saturday, September 4, 2010.

Headsets will be available only to attendees who request interpretation on the Top of the Table registration form. Attendees using this service must leave a security deposit of USD 400 on their personal credit card to obtain a headset. When the equipment is returned undamaged at the end of the meeting, your credit card voucher will be returned and no charge will have been made. American Express, Visa and MasterCard will be accepted for this security deposit.

If Top of the Table is unable to secure the interpretation, members requesting it will be notified by Monday, September 13, 2010. If this is the case, you may choose to cancel your registration and receive a full refund of registration fees. Requests for refunds must be received in writing by MDRT on or before Friday, September 17, 2010.

Spa and Fitness Center

Relax, rejuvenate and restore your mind, body and soul at the Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples. Reservations are recommended for treatments. Visit http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Naples/Spa/Default.htm?om_b=13_spa to view the Spa menu and to make your reservations. If you would like to experience the tranquility of the spa without a treatment appointment, there will be a USD 35 daily fee.

The Fitness Center is open 24 hours a day and can be accessed with your room key. No additional fee is applied.

Statement for Antitrust

There shall be no negative discussion of commercial companies or products. There shall be no discussion or activity for the purpose of any legal compliance preventing any person or persons from gaining access to any market or customer for goods or services, nor any agreement or understanding to refrain from purchasing or using any material, equipment, services or supplies. There shall be no discussion or activity that may be construed as forestalling or limiting research and development. We, of course, expect your consideration and full compliance with these guidelines, both while in attendance at this meeting and at all times in your business.

Tax Information

U.S. members, please note that your deduction against federal income tax for expenses associated with meals and entertainment at an association meeting or convention may be limited to 50 percent of the otherwise qualifying expense (See IRC 274). As a result, MDRT has allocated USD 275 of your USD 795 meeting registration fee for the Top of the Table Annual meeting meal functions and entertainment. Thus, it is our estimate that USD 520 of your Top of the Table Annual Meeting expenses may be deductible at 100 percent, and USD 275 may be deductible at 50 percent.

A deduction is allowed for travel expenses paid or incurred with respect to a spouse, dependent or other individual accompanying a person on business travel only if the spouse, dependent of other individual is a bona fide employee of the person paying or reimbursing the expenses and the following apply:

1. The travel of the spouse, dependent or other individual is for a bona fide business purpose.
2. The expenses incurred would otherwise be deductible.

(The above paragraph is quoted from “Ernst & Young’s Guide to the New Tax Law.”)

The information set forth above does not constitute tax advice to you, but rather is provided for informational purposes only. You are urged and expected to consult tax counsel regarding the applicability of these rules to your particular circumstances.