2009 GMOA Annual Meeting & Market Place
July 18 - 21, 2009
The Classic Center
Hilton Garden Inn and the Foundry Park Inn, Athens, GA

   Click Here to visit the Athens, GA CVB web site
   Click Here to visit the Classic Center web site
   Click Here to visit the Hilton Garden Inn web site
   Click Here to visit the Foundry Park Inn web site
   Click Here to visit the Atlanta International Airport web site





Saturday, July 18
2:00 – 5:00    Registration
Registration Bags sponsored by Lancer Insurance Company and Service Insurance Agency
Name Badges sponsored by Sardo Bus and Coach Upholstery
Pocket Schedules sponsored by United Motorcoach Association
3:00 – 5:00    Board Meeting
5:30               Board Coaches for Welcome Event
Terrapin Brewery Tasting Tour
Transportation provided by Daimler Buses and Motor Coach Industries
7:30               Board Coaches for Terrapin Beer Pairing Dinner at Foundry Park Inn & Spa
Dinner Sponsored by Athens CVB, Terrapin Brewery, Foundry Park Inn & Spa
After dinner, members have free admission to The Melting Point for live music and networking time.
A coach will return to the Hilton Garden Inn after dinner and again at 10:00.

Sunday, July 19
8:00 – 5:00     Registration
8:00 – 8:30     Devotional Session
Guest entertainment and worship by Bethel Baptist Church of Watkinsville
8:30 – 9:00     Breakfast
Breakfast sponsored by Stone Mountain Park
9:00 – 9:30     Association Business Session: Committee Reports and Election
Presiding: John Garrett, President
Committee Reports:
Annual Meeting: Amy Clark, Athens CVB and Marion Kenny, Allen Insurance Group
Legislative: Joy Walstrum, GMOA Lobbyist and Jimmy Cantrell, Daniel’s Charters
Membership: Michael Vescio, Ramada Atlanta Airport
Special Projects: John Garrett, American Coach Lines
Nominating/Election: Walter Hubbard, Kingsmen Coach Lines
9:45 – 10:30     New Member/First Timer Orientation
Moderator: Linda Morris, Staff
Veteran Members are welcomed.
If you are a new member or this is your first time to attend the GMOA annual meeting representing a current member, please be sure to attend this session. While it is not an orientation to the industry, as a new member or first timer, you will learn a great deal that will help you as you learn the industry and help you as you seek to build strong business relationships with other members. (Making the most of your 5-minute interview time with operators and group leaders in market place.)
9:45               Board Coach: Operators and Coach Sales/Service/Product Members
Lunch and refreshments sponsored by Allen Insurance Group
10:45 – 3:00     Operator Education/Maintenance Workshop/
                         Coach Sales Market Place: Hands-on Experience
Operators attending will be eligible for $500 fuel card sponsored by Georgia Department of Economic Development, Tourism Division
Featured topics and presenters:
Grants: What’s Available and Basics of Application
Presenter: Ryan Kelly, Community Spec Inc.
Legislative Workshop: Everything You Need to Know to Work with Your Legislators
Presenter: Joy Walstrum, GMOA Lobbyist
DOT Update
Presenter: To be determined
Transit Update: Developing Partnerships
Panelists: John Garrett, Jimmy Cantrell, Mike Dickson, Joy Walstrum
Web Site Development: How Your Web Site Can Work for You
Presenter: Vance Compton, Red Clay Industries
Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance: Update
Presenter: Tim Davis, CVSA
4:00 – 6:00     Market Place I: Blue Dot Associates
Market Place Refreshments sponsored by American Bus Association
Operator binders sponsored by Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism
Operators should be seated by 3:50. Please briefly review the gifts received from Associate members and pack them away so that you can give Associates your undivided attention for the 5-minute appointments. Associates and operators are asked to observe the 5-minute limit. A bell will ring as a reminder for those who need it!
4:00 – 6:00     Associate Education Sessions: Red Dot Associates
The Sellionaire: Set Yourself Up for a Lifetime of Selling Success
Speaker: Antonio Smith
Refreshments will be available in this session.
Antonio Clyde Smith has been in the sales since the age of twelve. Today, a sales trainer and business strategist, Tony conducts seminars throughout the United States, teaching, training, and motivating audiences. His diverse background includes a lifestyle mission statement that focuses on a vision, integrity, and diligence. The founder of Antonio Clyde Smith International, an author, and the creator of several inspirational CDs and DVDs, Tony is committed to bringing out the winner in everyone.
“You see, your dreams are only the end results of a puzzle that you must put together. They are reached by simple steps taken each day over time. By taking action you will reach your dreams. Your capital may not be money, but a mind made up to use what you have now to reach them.” -Antonio Smith
6:30 – 7:45     Awards Dinner
Presiding: John Garrett, President
Comment: Shelda Rees, Chattanooga Convention and Visitors Bureau
GMOA Awards: John Garrett and Linda Morris
Outstanding Associate of the Year
Outstanding Operator of the Year
Calvin K. Cooper Award
Introduction/Installation of Board of Directors: Linda Morris
Introduction of Speaker/Entertainment: Amy Clark, Athens CVB
Entertainment: Carl Hurley in the Classic Center Theatre
8:00               Carl Hurley in The Classic Center Theatre
Sponsored by The Classic Center Theatre, Downtown Athens, and Georgia Department of Economic Development, Tourism Division
Carl Hurley, drawing from his roots in the tradition of such other American humorists as Andy Griffith and Garrison Keillor, delights audiences with his reflections on life as viewed by a native of Appalachia with a singular sense of the absurd. Part of a family of natural-born storytellers from the hills of Laurel County, Kentucky, Hurley combines his innate skills a yarn-spinner with the expressiveness of a great comic actor. With an impish giggle on his lips and a benign twinkle in his eye, Hurley spreads an infectious form of fun that is often outrageous yet always good-natured and clean. His unique comedy style, coupled with a background in public education, has earned him the title of “America’s funniest professor.”
9:30               Meet and Greet with Carl Hurley

Monday, July 20
7:30 – 5:00     Registration
7:30 – 8:45     Networking Breakfast
Presiding and Introduction: John Garrett, President
Industry Updates: American Bus Association
United Motorcoach Association
9:00 – 2:30     Golf Tournament at Lane Creek Golf Club, Bishop, Georgia
Coordinator: Tim O’Bryan, Service Insurance Agency
Beverage Cart sponsored by Service Insurance Agency
Transportation provided by Daimler Buses
8:45                Board Coach for Tour
9:00 – 3:00     Optional Familiarization Tour and Networking Opportunity
Tour I: The Classic City
This tour features attractions for which Athens is known including State Botanical Garden, Butts Mehre Heritage Hall, lunch at The Varsity, UGA North Campus, and retail therapy/free time.
Transportation provided by Motor Coach Industries
Tour II: Georgia Made—Georgia Grown
This tour will give you examples of the creativity found in Athens and Oconee County. The tour features Jittery Joe’s, Oconee County Pottery/Artists’ studios, Music Heritage, lunch on the road, and retail therapy/free time.
Transportation provided by Prevost
4:00 – 6:00     Market Place II: Red Dot Associates
Market Place Refreshments sponsored by American Bus Association
Operators should be seated by 3:50.
4:00 – 6:00     Associate Education (Repeat): Blue Dot Associates
Refreshments will be available in this session.
6:45                Board Coaches for Closing Night Event: “Show Your School Colors!”
Tailgating Party at Harris Shoals Park in Watkinsville
Sponsored by Oconee County Tourism and the City of Watkinsville
In neighboring Oconee County, downtown Watkinsville features quaint specialty shops, galleries, and restaurants. Numerous artists call Oconee County home and create and display work at locations such as the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation, Happy Valley Pottery, and the Chappelle Gallery. The Eagle Tavern, an early Georgia stagecoach stop with late 18th-century furnishings, is a great stop for visitor information. Just outside of town, the Elder Covered Bridge is one of only 10 covered bridges left in Georgia.
Casual dress is acceptable for this event, in fact, wear your favorite team colors, jeans, and sneakers or flip-flops! Prizes will be given for the most original display of team colors. How many Bulldogs fans do we have? If you’re not a Bulldogs fan, wear your favorite team’s colors. We may even have some competition. May the best team win!
Transportation provided by Motor Coach Industries, Prevost, Daimler Buses

Tuesday, July 21
8:00 – 9:30     Breakfast
Sponsored by Host for 2010 Meeting: Chattanooga Convention and Visitors Bureau
Presiding: John Garrett
Comment: Shelda Rees, Chattanooga CVB
Golf Awards: Tim O’Bryan, Service Insurance Agency
Awards Presentation: John Garrett
Market Place Rookie of the Year
Market Place Associate of the Year
Market Place Operator of the Year
Members are encouraged to attend this special breakfast to celebrate the market place awards. Special door prizes will include for associates, five complimentary registrations and one-night stays at Marriott in Chattanooga for the 2010 Annual Meeting, and for operators, two one-night stays at the Marriott in Chattanooga for the 2010 Annual Meeting. Don’t miss this opportunity to win and help fund your attendance in 2010!
10:00 – 10:30     Board of Directors Meeting

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email the GMOA.

Hotel Accomodations
Group Rate Available:
Hilton Garden Inn
Athens Downtown
390 E. Washington St.
Athens, Georgia 30601
Phone: 706-353-6800
Reservation Deadline:
June 20, 2009
Reservations Number:
706-363-9948

The Foundry Park
Inn & Spa
295 E. Dougherty St. Athens, GA 30601
Phone/Reservations:
706-549-7020
Reservation Deadline:
June 18, 2009

Please note: group rates are not published on the web, they are listed on your registration form.