Come for the Sessions, Stay for the Party

As a member of the conference planning committee, I joined ASHI’s conference planning crew in Orlando in August to meet with the folks from Disney and several other vendors. The mission: to finalize the details for our annual Conference. Are you planning to be with us January 15-18 in 2003?

I figured we’d go on some rides, taste some food, chat around the pool, and generally have a mini vacation at Disney’s expense. Boy was I naïve! Fortunately, I brought work clothing and my wife didn’t plan on my being particularly attentive to her, as we worked almost the entire day meeting with caterers, touring party venues, and picking decorations and scenery. I had no idea how detailed the conference itself has become.

Our conference planning company, Conferon, has done such a great job in the past that we forget it is no small task to assemble approximately 1,000 inspectors and their families and keep them happy with education, meal options, meetings, a huge exhibition, our annual business meeting, opening reception, and President’s Gala.

Are you aware we have already sold out all the booth space in the exhibition hall? More than 100 vendors and exhibitors will be waiting for your visit.

Did you ever go to a wedding and make note of the zillions of decisions that have to be made…selection of table linens; type of food; table decorations; to have a cash bar or not; party favors for the tables; conference proceeding tapes and videos; etc. After two days of this I was getting good at dealing with details.

Well…choosing a venue for an event for 800 attendees is important. What kind of music, played at what volume levels; what type of transportation options; additional acts or groups for entertainment? What should be the theme?

After three days I really needed some pool time. But seriously, I hope you’re planning to be with us in January, as this will be quite the conference to attend. And if you are flying home early and not going to the President’s Gala you will truly be missing something incredible.

Bring your families, as we will be in the vacation capital of the world. We will have activities and a buffet available for the older kids at the gala for a special youth fare. I heard a rumor there may be quite a thrill included in the package.

Moreover we have worked hard to give you great food, wonderful entertainment, and extraordinary accommodations, and we hope you will extend your conference stay before or after to take advantage of the great room rates at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort as well.

On the education level there will be four different tracks: candidate, advanced technical, business track, and commercial and special topics track. If you can’t find what you need you probably don’t need it!

Those of us on the Committee hope you will attend and that you feel our attention to
the details helped make your InspectionWorld in Orlando something special.