• Professionals Track
• Firm Owners Track
  1.4 CEUs (applied for)
  

See below for Hotel information and links to book your room reservations early and take advantage of CalDRA's special room block pricing.

Registration Open / 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Exhibitor Hall Open  / 8:00 am

Continental Breakfast  / 8:00 to 9:00 am

Professionals
Firm Owners
Students

9:00 - 11:00 AM / Keynote - Eighty Depp-ositions: Taking Trial Depositions in a Post-Pandemic Landscape
(0.2 CEUs)
Speaker:  Jessica Meyers, Esq. (co-counsel for Johnny Depp)
Ms. Myers will discuss her involvement in one of the biggest trials in the country in recent years - Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard.  She will speak about how most of the depositions they took for the case (and there were a lot) were taken remotely and ultimately used as trial testimony, as well as discuss the logistics, benefits, and challenges associated with that process and how their court reporting services supported them in their efforts.  In particular, she will address the following: (a) the adjustment to taking depositions remotely; (b) how the option to take depositions impacted the number of depositions taken in this case (and the individuals they were able to depose); (c) the process of designating deposition testimony to be used at trial; and (d) how the court reporting services assisted the Depp legal team in preparing the video deposition testimony that was ultimately played at trial.

11:00 - 11:30 am / Morning Break,  Vendor Hall open

11:30 am - 1:30 pm / Luncheon: President’s Remarks and Awards
Hear from CalDRA’s outgoing President, Jamie Asbury and incoming President, Stephanie Leslie, meet the 2023-2024 Board of Directors, Scholarship winners presentation.

Professionals
Firm Owners
Students

1:30 - 3:00 pm / STRONG Committee on AI/ASR
(.15 CEUs)
Speakers:  Kristin Anderson, Debbie Dibble, Sue Terry
When WE'RE STRONGer together, WE can change our destiny.  NCRA STRONG works as one of the most active committees in NCRA's long history.  This seminar includes a panel of experts from the STRONG committee. Seminars presented by STRONG are designed to inform the audience on recent marketplace developments and the quickly evolving privacy rules and regulations impacting our profession.  You won't want to miss where to find the STRONG tools available to you to showcase our talents and appropriately inform your consumers. 

Firm Owners   

1:30 - 3:30 pm / Providing Electronic Appeal Transcripts for CA Courts (and general production update)
(.15 CEUs)
Speaker:  John Garnett (founding partner of YesLaw)
Per California Code of Civil Procedure section 271 (CCP 271), as of January 1, 2023, all official reporters and official reporters pro tempore shall deliver transcripts in electronic format to the court in compliance with the California Rules of Court 8.144.  This session will provide instructions on how to use the YesLaw software to produce 8.144 compliant transcripts should you need to file court transcripts or appeal transcripts.  Did you know that electronic transcripts produced with your CAT software do not meet the 8.144 requirements ?  Deposition reporters will want to add these new features to their transcripts too. 
 

3:00 - 3:30 pm / Afternoon Break,  Vendor Hall open

Professionals
Firm Owners
Students

3:30 - 5:00 pm / How Can you Help Us Build Our Future Steno Ranks?
(.15 CEUs)
Speakers:  Jamie Asbury, Debbie Fuqua, Jennifer Porto
Ever been asked about your job and what you do?  Did you feel your response was underwhelming?  Did you wish for better information to share?  In this seminar, we will explore the current options for court reporting, the NCRA  A to Z program, and how you can help recruit qualified individuals.  Please join us in being the solution to help bolster the future of our profession! 

Firm Owners 

3:30 - 5:00 pm / Reviving Our Synergy: How to Promote Community & Teamwork Between Freelancer and Your Agency
(.15 CEUs)
Speaker: Stephanie Leslie
Join us for a collaborative discussion about how to build a great team of loyal freelancer reporters who are both excited to work for your firm, as well as willing to charge reasonable rates that are supportive of a sustainable industry that won't be easily replaced by a lesser quality option.    

5:00 - 6:00 pm / Vendor Champagne Reception
Join CalDRA’s Board of Directors and vendors for a champagne toast and spend some time browsing all the products brought to the convention for you!  Be sure to take advantage of the special convention pricing our fabulous vendors are offering.

Sunday, May 21

Registration Open /  8:00 am to 1:00 pm

Exhibitor Hall Open / 8:00 am to 1:00 pm

Continental Breakfast /  8:00 am to  9:00 am

Professionals
Firm Owners
Students

9:00 - 10:30 am / Body Mind Wellness Experience (.15 CEUs)
Instructor:  Jill Apperson
Reporters know all too well the stress of their daily lives. Come and experience various proven methods to calm your mind and relieve your body of stress.  This seminar will provide you with knowledge to help you better deal with the physical demands of your job.  Deep relaxation techniques, mediation and rest practices will also be shared to get grounded, get centered, get calm, or get going.

Firm Owners

9:00 - 10:30 am / Privacy Issues and Protections - It Is A Big Deal
(.15 CEUs)
Speakers:  Sue Terry, Kristin Anderson, Debbie Dibble
Do you know what the implications of data breaches and lapses in cybersecurity can mean for your business?  How can firms meet the rapidly evolving landscape of privacy issues and best arm their workforce to meet the unique challenges presented to both independent contractors and firms in meeting security risks in a fast-changing environment?  This seminar will explore how industry professionals are handling their responsibilities, and share their own best practices for keeping clients' data safe.  This will be a highly interactive session.

Students

8:30 - 10:30 am / Mock CSR - You Got This !
Speaker:  Heatherlynn Gonzalez
Nervous about the CSR?  Wonder how it all works?  This presentation will give you a chance to remove the mystery, ask questions, and learn some helpful tips to make that state exam less intimidating, leading up to a mock CSR with some of the voices you will hear on the actual test.

10:30 - 11:00 am / Morning Break, Vendor Hall open

Professionals
Firm Owners
Students

11:00 - 12:30 pm / Mentors Create Successful Students and Reporters
(.15 CEUs)
Speakers:  Trina Cox, Jessica Lobato
The mentor-mentee relationship is so important to help our students transition from speed building to studying for the CSR to being a confident working reporter. Listen in as Trina and Jessica share their mentor-mentee relationship, the challenges Jessica overcame to become a CSR in the uncharted era of COVID, and tips from Trina on how to encourage and cheerlead for our students.  A mentor's true success story happens when your student is now your colleague!     

 Professionals
Firm Owners
Students

11:00 - 12:30 pm / View From the Rockies -Tough Love in the Real World
Speaker:  Debbie Dibble
Our path heads up rocky and steep slopes as Debbie Dibble discusses the view from terrain post DR.  She will share with you Utah's experience as the state courts implemented digital recording, and what the world has looked like in the years following.  It is imperative that we discuss what you can and need to do now to change our future in both the official and freelance world.  The time to let fear hold us back is over.  We are at war!  We must face our fears and continue to be the superior method!

12:30 to 1:00 pm / Lunch on your own,  Vendor Hall open.

CCRR Examination  1:00 to 2:30 PM
Separate Registration Required
DRA member price:  $175.00
Nonmember price:    $325.00

Hotel Information & Room Reservations

Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa

3050 Bristol Street
Costa Mesa, CA  92626
714-540-7000

Room Rate $169.00
Cutoff Date:  April 26, 2023
Parking:  $10 day of event, $18.00 overnight parking

Resort highlights:
Located in the heart of Orange County's business district and only 5 minutes from John Wayne Airport, and lees than 6 miles from waterfront attractions and dining at the Newport Beach Pier. On site dining options include Bristol Palms California Bistro, Bristol Coffee Bar, and the Bristol Palms Pizza Bar.  All 486 oversized guest rooms are beautifully decorated with executive desk work areas. Guests will enjoy Hilton Fitness by PreCor complete with cardio equipment, a stretching area and free weight section overlooking the heated pool and sun deck.  Other amenities include a business center, high-speed WiFi access, gift shop, and full service hair salon.  Complimentary shuttle service is available to and from John Wayne Airport and South Coast Plaza.

Group rate available until April 26, 2023.    Starting at $169.00  per night (subject to availability).
Here is a direct link to make your reservations:  tinyurl.com/2p99b49chiltonhotelbooking    
You may also call the hotel directly and ask for the "DRA 2023" Convention rate.

Hotel Amenities and Features

• Free Airport Shuttle
• Outdoor Pool
• On-site Restaurants
• Business Center
• 24/7 Room Service
• 24/7 Fitness Center
• Self and Secured parking

Resources for more Information

 Travel Information

John Wayne Airport / 2.5 miles
South Coast Plaza / .6 miles
Disneyland Park / 13.5 miles 
Long Beach Airport / 20 miles
LAX Airport / 36 miles

Convention Pricing

Early Bird Rates (Professional and Firm Owner members only)
Available through April 16, 2023
Regular Rate
Available through May 15, 2023
On-site Rate
Starting on May 16, 2021

Professionals Track

CalDRA Member
$449.00 Early Bird (professional members only)
$549 Regular
$599 On-site    
$279 One Day / $329 On-Site
Nonmember
$679 Regular  /  $729 On-site
$379 One Day / $429 On-Site

Firm Owners Track

CalDRA Member
$589.00 Early Bird (firm owner member only)
$649.00 Regular
$699 On-site
Firm Owner plus 1 employee* - $949
Firm Owner plus 2 employees* - $1249
Nonmember – $759 Regular
Firm Owner plus 1 employee* - $1059
Firm Owner plus 2 employees* - $1359
*Must be a current employee of registered firm owner

Students

FULL REGISTRATION
CalDRA Member – $299 Regular
$349 On-site
Nonmember – $359 Regular
$419 On-site

Instructors

FULL REGISTRATION
CalDRA Member – $299 Regular
$349 On-site
Nonmember – $359 Regular
$419 On-site

Additional Options

Special Events
Social Events Guest Pass – $299
$399 On-site
Includes Friday Reception, Saturday Luncheon, Exhibitor Hall Access
Friday Reception – $109
Saturday Luncheon – $69

CCRR Examination
Requires Separate Registration Fee
DRA Member – $175
Nonmember – $325

Become a Member / Renew Membership
Professional Level (CSR) – $150
Professional Level (First-Year CSR) – $30
Associate Level (Non-CSR) – $150
Instructor Level – $50
Student Level – $30

Sponsor A Student
Student Full Convention: Member – $299
Student Full Convention: NonMember - $359

Full Registration Fee includes: All seminars, exhibit hall, continental breakfast, Saturday Luncheon, refreshment breaks in the exhibitor room, handout materials, and the Opening Reception. Cancellations/refund requests must be received in writing (email accepted) no later than 4:00 pm on April 19, 2023 to qualify for a refund. There will be a $50 administrative fee for all refunds. CalDRA reserves the right to substitute speakers and seminars due to unforeseen and/or unavoidable circumstances. CalDRA and its sponsors claim no liability for the acts of any suppliers to this event nor for the safety of any attendees while at or in transit to or from this event.