What are you going to do with your downtime? How about making the contacts and laying the groundwork for a successful 2012 construction season?

If that sounds like a plan for you, mark the calendar for ASBA's 2011 Technical Meeting, to be held December 2-5 at the J.W. Marriott Resort Spa in Palm Desert, California.

The meeting will include an outstanding trade show featuring some of the newest products and techniques available on the market. The program will have state-of-the-art sessions on advanced technique in sports facility design, construction and materials, as well as more rudimentary “how to” programs directed at those who want a more hands-on approach. There will be individual sessions with technical information on tennis courts, running tracks, sports fields and indoor facilities, as well as sessions on business topics everyone can use from legal issues to social media. No matter what your company's focus, you'll be in the right place, and will be able to find a niche for yourself.

And by the way, have we got a keynote speaker for you. His name is Jeff Espenship (and he goes by "Odie," but that's another story), and he's a former USAF fighter pilot who is going to talk about "Taking Operational Excellence to A Higher Altitude." (When was the last time you heard that from a keynote speaker?) From Espenship's experiences flying the A-10 "warthog" and his numerous "Top Gun" awards for air-to-ground bombing and gunnery, you'll be entertained, uplifted and motivated to do more and do better.

In addition, there will be multiple other events (see below for more information): social events to facilitate networking, the golf and tennis tournaments, meetings of board and committees, presentations of industry awards, exams for those interested in the ASBA’s professional certification program, and more.

The Technical Meeting is beneficial to individuals in all segments of the industry. The American Sports Builders Association is an approved provider of continuing education programs to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) through its Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System (LACES).

The complete conference brochure will be in the mail and found online at the ASBA website, www.sportsbuilders.org next month. Members will receive information on the meeting automatically. Others can request meeting information by contacting the Association at its headquarters via phone, 866-501-ASBA (2722) or 410-730-9595, fax 410-730-8833, or by e-mail at info@ sportsbuilders.org.  Information is also available at www.sportsbuilders.org.

Awards and Honors
What else makes this meeting valuable? You get the chance to recognize the industry’s finest construction each year with the presentation of the ASBA awards for construction excellence. You get the chance to meet new members and those attending the Technical Meeting for the first time. You get the chance to catch up with suppliers, contractors, professionals and others whom you might know only through phone or e-mail conversations. Best of all, you get the chance to spend quality time with those people – to challenge them on the tennis court or golf course, and to enjoy their company between sessions and after hours.

A Great Setting
Palm Desert, California: Think it sounds dry and dusty? You're way off-base. This is the J.W. Marriott Resort & Spa, the home of the emerald-green fairways of Palm Desert Golf Resort, incomparable tennis at the Desert Springs Tennis and Lawn Club (a Peter Burwash facility), unequalled pampering at the Spa Desert Springs, pools to lounge by, nightlife to experience, fine dining to enjoy -- and gondolas to take you from place to place. It's a 450-acre, Four Star, Four Diamond, award-winning resort, and one of the largest resort and convention complexes in the southwest. Rooms are located in five-to-eight-story wings surrounding swimming pools, lakes, fairways, English gardens, and manicured lawns.

Get certified
Thinking of taking one of the ASBA's certification exams? The exams for Certified Tennis Court Builder (CTCB), Certified Track Builder (CTB) and Certified Field Builder (CFB), as well as Certified Field Builder-Natural (CFB-N) and Certified Field Builder-Synthetic (CFB-S) will be given on Saturday, December 3 at the J.W. Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. To register and get study materials, go to the ASBA website, www.sportsbuilders.org, and using the menu bar at the top of the page, select "Certification." A drop-down menu will allow you to choose the exam you are interested in. From the appropriate page, choose the "Become a Certified Builder" option. All the materials you need -- a handbook, application materials, eligibility requirements and more -- are right there.

Fun For Everyone
(Two optional events, priced separately)

The Golf Tournament is an ASBA tradition. You won't want to miss this chance to tee off against colleagues, co-workers and competitors for an afternoon of golf at the famous La Quinta Resort. In addition to the bragging rights at stake, there are prizes for winning foursomes, as well as longest drive and closest to the pin. Sign up today and start practicing your swing.

The Tennis Tournament is well-known as a battle to the finish. It's a great event that incorporates friendly competition, good-natured heckling and the chance to work out with old and new friends. Pack your racquet, your shoes and your game face. Fabulous prizes and a year's worth of bragging rights are at stake.

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