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Schedule of Events

GAWDA's 64th Annual Convention
September 21-25, 2008
Atlantis, Paradise Island, The Bahamas

Saturday, September 20
5:30 p.m.  –  10:00 p.m.   Board of Directors & Planning Committee Dinner Cruise
Sunday, September 21
7:30 a.m.  –  1:00 p.m.   Board of Directors Meeting and Lunch
1:00 p.m.  –  1:30 p.m.   Leadership Development Committee Meeting
1:30 p.m.  –  2:30 p.m.   Industry Partnering Committee Meeting
2:30 p.m.  –  4:00 p.m.   Insurance Trustees Meeting
4:00 p.m.  –  5:00 p.m.   First Timers Reception
5:00 p.m.  –  7:00 p.m.   President’s Reception
7:00 p.m.  –  10:00 p.m.   Lincoln Electric Past President and Officers
Appreciation Dinner
7:00 p.m.  –  10:00 p.m.   Insurance Trustees Dinner
7:00 p.m.       Supplier Hospitalities
Monday, September 22
8:00 a.m.  –  12:00 p.m.   Opening General Session
           Since We Last Met Video
           Opening Ceremony
           Gives Back Presentation
           50th Anniversary of Life Insurance Program
           “State of the Association”
     GAWDA President Gary Stoneback
           Speaker: Pat Williams, Orlando Magic
12:00 p.m.  –  1:30 p.m.   Lunch
12:00 p.m.  –  1:30 p.m.   Past Presidents’ Luncheon
1:30 p.m.  –  2:30 p.m.   Consultant Updates/Questions on State of the Association
2:30 p.m.  –  4:00 p.m.   Supplier/Distributor Round Table Discussions
7:00 p.m.        Supplier Hospitalities
Tuesday, September 23
7:30 a.m.  –  11:00 a.m.   Contact Booth Program
10:00 a.m.  –  12:00 p.m.   Spouse Program
12:30 p.m.  –  6:30 p.m.   Golf and Awards Ceremony
7:00 p.m.    .   Supplier Hospitalities
Wednesday, September 24
8:00 a.m.  –  11:00 a.m.   Closing General Session
           Leadership Development Report
           Recognition of Board/Committees
           “State of the Industry & Future Trends”
     John Stropki, Lincoln Electric
           Speaker: Fred Thompson, Senator, Actor, Lawyer,
     Presidential Candidate
           Induction of 2008-09 GAWDA President Britt Lovin
6:00 p.m.  –  10:00 p.m.   President’s Gala
Thursday, September 25
10:00 a.m.  –  1:00 p.m.   Young Executives’ Volleyball Beach Party
Gary Stoneback
Pat Williams
John Stropki
Fred Thompson
Britt Lovin
10 Tips For a Smooth Convention Experience
  1. Bring snacks and eat non-GAWDA meals off property. Atlantis restaurants are expensive.
  2. 15% gratuities are included in all Atlantis food/beverage bills.
  3. Walking time from hotel rooms to convention center/meeting rooms is 15 minutes.
  4. Wear comfortable shoes.
  5. Use the shuttle between the East Tower and the Convention Center.
  6. Wear a light sweater or jacket for meetings as rooms tend to be cold.
  7. The President’s Gala is “resort elegant.” This means dress, polo and designer shirts, slacks, dresses or skirts.
  8. Depart for the airport three hours before your flight.
  9. The airport does not have sidewalk luggage check-in or self-service kiosks.
  10. Be patient. The Bahamas sense of urgency is different than U.S.

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Welding & Gases Today • Fall 2008 • Volume 7, No. 4 • Entire contents are Copyright © Data Key Communications, Inc. • All rights reserved. • Nothing may be reproduced in whole or part without written permission of the publisher.