Forget about the end of season doldrums -- it's
time to shake it off and fly south. The ASBA Technical Meeting will
be held November 30-December 4 at the Doubletree Hotel at Universal
Studios in Orlando, Florida. Just think -- you can wrap up your
season and get ready for next year by making contacts, attending
sessions, learning about new products and finding out all the news
the industry and Association have to offer.
The program this year is excellent. Our
keynote speaker is Steve Gilliland, who will teach us to "Enjoy
the Ride." A self-made multi-millionaire who built his own company
from the ground up, Gilliland knows what it takes to be successful,
and will explain how to learn more about your company, your
industry, your customer and yourself and to always be a leader. His
motto is straightforward: “If you take care of people, the business
will follow.” He'll discuss facing conflicting demands in an
unforgiving business environment, and show how he -- and everyone --
can keep things together both personally and professionally.
But the highlights don't stop there. The USTA
Facility Assistance Team will host a session to discuss the
changes to the rules of tennis in 2012, how those rules impact
facilities and hear how they can help grow your business. Learn how
to keep the infrastructure of the sport healthy by avoiding the most
common mistakes seen during bidding and building.
What else is there, you ask? ASBA's division
meetings will be held. Each division (Tennis, Track, Fields,
Indoor and/Design Professional) serves a different segment of the
membership, and is responsible for specific projects, publications,
tasks and more. Learn about the projects, issues and goals of your
division. Find out how you can get involved, share your ideas and
find out what's ahead.
The ever-popular trade show is a staple of
ASBA's meeting. It's a great chance to find the newest products and
services in the industry, as well as to revisit some longtime
industry standards. Our first event of the meeting is always our
Opening Reception at the trade show, and it's easily our most
popular for good reason.
ASBA's excellent Technical Meeting program
is, as always, divided into segments. There are specific tracks of
programming dedicated to tennis, track, fields, indoor facilities
and general business topics. No matter what your company does, or
what role you play in it, there's valuable information here for you
at this meeting.
This meeting is simply filled with opportunity!
There will be opportunities to increase your company's exposure by
exhibiting and/or by acting as a sponsor. (See
the article elsewhere in this issue). You can also have the
chance to compete with your colleagues in ASBA's golf and tennis
outings, find out who scored big wins in ASBA's awards
program and much 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).
Are you ready for this meeting? Even though it
seems far off, the calendar turns before you know it, and soon,
you'll need to be ready to make your plans. ASBA members will
receive information automatically; all others can request to be
placed on the mailing list by contacting the Association at
info@sportsbuilders.org,
by checking the website,
www.sportsbuilders.org (where information will be posted) or by
calling 866-501-ASBA or 410-730-9595. Don't forget to watch the
website for information on sponsorship availability and more.
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
Orlando, Florida: Our host city is
exciting Orlando, Florida. The hotel is a short drive from Orlando's
world-famous theme parks, shops, restaurants, golf courses,
entertainment and sports venues and exciting attractions, such as
Universal Studios, City Walk, Walt Disney World, SeaWorld Orlando,
Discovery Cove and the Orange County Convention Center. But think
beyond the meeting facilities and amusement parks and you'll find a
city with a lot more to offer. Orlando also boasts bustling
nightlife, quaint antique districts, a rich cultural corridor and
much more. You can visit Baldwin Park, Downtown Orlando, Thornton
Park, Winter Park, International Drive, Restaurant Row, the
Universal Orlando Resort area, the Worlds of Discovery area, the
Mall at Millenia area or the Lake Buena Vista area.
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 1 at
the Doubletree Hotel at Universal Studios. 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 Outing 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 Villas of Grand Cypress Golf 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 and this year, our host is the Grand
Cypress Tennis and Racquet Club. 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.
