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2010 GMOA Annual Meeting & Market Place
July 25-27, 2010                                                    Visit the Chattanooga Area CVB site:
Chattanooga Marriott at the Convention Center        http://www.chattanoogafun.com/
Chattanooga, Tennessee

      Visit the Chattanooga Marriott Convention Center site:
      http://www.marriott.com/chadt
                     



Tentative Schedule of Events

Sunday, July 25                                                                            
9:00 – 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
Information table provided by Chattanooga Convention & Visitors Bureau
10:00-12:00        Board Meeting    
(All operator members are invited to attend. Lunch provided. See Events Form.)
Presiding: Walter Hubbard, Kingsmen Coach Lines, GMOA President
12:30                  Board Coaches for Golf
1:15                    Board Coaches for FAM Tours
1:30 - 5:30          Golf Tournament at Eagle Bluff Golf Course
Coordinator: Tim O’Bryan, Service Insurance Agency
Beverage Cart sponsored by Service Insurance Agency
Transportation provided by Daimler Buses North America
1:30 - 5:30          Familiarization Tours
                           Tour I:                Tennessee Aquarium’s River Gorge Explorer boat ride and IMAX Theatre
Don’t miss an exciting IMAX 3D Movie and then a ride on the Southeast’s only hi-speed catamaran, the Tennessee Aquarium’s River Gorge Explorer. This 70 passenger, water-jet propelled vessel provides a thrilling ride into “Tennessee’s Grand Canyon” before returning you to the new Chattanooga City Pier.  Space is limited on this tour to 55 people so get your registration in soon!
Transportation provided by Prevost
                           Tour II:               Tennessee Valley Railroad & Chattanooga Choo Choo
Enjoy one of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s train rides as you use a pre-civil war tunnel and take a look at the turntable that moves the engine.  See the shop and ask questions about restoration.  Visit the home of our Terminal Station celebrating 100 years in 2009 at the Chattanooga Choo Choo.  See the Model Railroad museum, take a photo in the engine, enjoy the gift shops and don’t miss the world’s largest free-standing brick dome building. Check out the new Tennessee Civil War Sign in the formal gardens too.
Transportation provided by Motor Coach Industries
                           Tour III:             Lookout Mountain: Tour Rock City and Ruby Falls
Enjoy a tour of Rock City Gardens - a true marvel of nature featuring massive ancient rock formations, gardens with over 400 native plant species and breathtaking “See 7 States” panoramic views. Then, explore Ruby Falls – with a guided tour through the cavern with its unique rock formations in America’s deepest commercial cave, over three million years old, and see the nation’s most-visited underground waterfall.
Transportation provided by ABC Companies
6:30 – 7:15         Market Place Orientation
Moderator: Kimberly Cox, GMOA Staff
This session is not an industry education session; however, participants can learn more about how to prepare for market place and learn a few things about the association and relationship building.  While this is typically a “new member or first timer” session, veteran members are welcomed to share industry knowledge, and, maybe learn something as well!
7:15                    Board Coaches for Ice Breaker Dinner Event
7:30                    Ice Breaker Dinner Event at Tennessee Aquarium
You will enjoy a quick tour of the new Tennessee Aquarium Ocean Journey building with its Penguins, Butterfly Garden, and new Jellies, a Living Art exhibit before heading over to dinner in the River Journey building next door for some great BBQ provided by Sticky Fingers of Chattanooga. Your hosts tonight are the Tennessee Aquarium and Chattanooga CVB.  If you finish your banana pudding in time, take a tour through the River Journey building too. Two drink tickets will be provided for soft drinks, beer and wine. Casual dress and comfortable shoes are a must for this fun evening event.
Event sponsored by Chattanooga Convention & Visitors Bureau and Tennessee Aquarium
Transportation provided by ABC Companies,Daimler Buses North America, Motor Coach Industries and Prevost
- Midnight           Hospitality
Hospitality will be open after event until midnight.
Sponsored by GroupConnect
                           Group Leaders Arrive
Group leader accommodations will be provided by Country Inn & Suites and Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel for Sunday night.

Monday, July 26                                                                            
7:30 – 5:00         Registration
7:30-8:15            Associate Breakfast
7:30 – 8:00         Operator Breakfast
Breakfast sponsored by Daimler Buses North America
Entertainment sponsored by Tennessee Shindig
8:00 – 8:30         Association Business Meeting
Presiding: Walter Hubbard, GMOA President
Welcome: Shelda Rees, Chattanooga CVB, Co-Chairman Planning Committee
                           Committee Reports
Annual Meeting: Shelda Rees and Marion Kenney, Allen Insurance Group
Legislative: Brenda Tidwell, Leisure Time Charters & Tours
Membership: Mike Dickson, Southeastern Stages
Special Projects: Jimmy Cantrell, Daniel’s Charters & Tours
Nominating/Election: Brenda Tidwell
8:30 - 10:30        Group Leader Market Place I       Assigned Associates          
Group Leaders should be seated by 8:25 and ready to conduct business promptly at 8:30.  All members participating in Market Place must adhere to the 5-minute maximum time limit per visit.  A bell will ring at every 5-minute interval to remind Associates to move to the next appointment.
Group Leader binders sponsored by Stone Mountain Park
Market Place refreshments sponsored by American Bus Association and ABC Companies
8:30 - 10:30        Associate Session                                                                                                                            Assigned Associates          
                           “Cracker Barrel” Round Table Discussion       
Moderator: Shelda Rees, Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
                           Virtual Way to Connect to Motorcoach Operators
Presenter: Jennifer Powers, GroupConnect
8:45 - 10:15        Coach Sales Market Place
Coaches will be parked inside the Chattanooga Convention Center on Sunday evening after the Ice Breaker Event.  Operators will visit each coach display for a 7 minute presentation by each coach representative.  Operators who visit each coach will be eligible for $500 fuel cards sponsored by Georgia Department of Economic Development.
10:45 – 12:45     Operator Market Place I                                                                                                               Assigned Associates
Operators should be seated by 10:40 and ready to conduct business promptly at 10:45.  All members participating in Market Place must adhere to the 5-minute maximum time limit per visit.  A bell will ring at every 5-minute interval to remind Associates to move to the next appointment.
Operator binders sponsored by Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism
Market Place refreshments sponsored by American Bus Association and ABC Companies
10:45 - 12:45      Group Leader Market Place II                                                                                                         Assigned  Associates          
Group Leaders should be seated by 10:40 and ready to conduct business promptly at 10:45.  All members participating in Market Place must adhere to the 5-minute maximum time limit per visit.  A bell will ring at every 5-minute interval to remind Associates to move to the next appointment.
1:00 - 2:30          Group Leader Lunch (For All Attendees)
Introduction of Speaker: Walter Hubbard, GMOA President
Speaker: Bruce Green, Director of Product Development for Georgia Tourism
Introduction of Entertainment: Shelda Rees, Chattanooga CVB
Entertainment provided by ChattanoogaChoo Choo Centennial Theatre Performers
Lunch sponsored by Motor Coach Industries
3:00 - 5:00          Operator Market Place II                                                                                                         Assigned  Associates
Operators should be seated by 2:55 and ready to conduct business promptly at 3:00.  All members participating in Market Place must adhere to the 5-minute maximum time limit per visit.  A bell will ring at every 5-minute interval to remind Associates to move to the next appointment.
3:00 - 5:00          Associate Session (Repeat) Assigned Associates
6:15 - 7:15          Gala Reception and Charity Silent Auction
Silent Auction proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society and the Ronald McDonald House.  GMOA has agreed to match the amount raised up to $5,000 for donation to the charities.
Reception sponsored by Savannah Convention & Visitors Bureau, Host for the 2011 Annual Meeting and Market Place
7:30                    Awards Dinner
Presiding: Walter Hubbard, GMOA President
Comment: 2011 Host CVB Representative
Golf Awards: Tim O’Bryan, Service Insurance Agency
                           Market Place Awards
Presentation: Walter Hubbard
Rookie of the Year, Associate of the Year, and Operator of the Year
                           GMOA Awards
Presentation: Walter Hubbard
Outstanding Associate of the Year and Outstanding Operator of the Year
Calvin K. Cooper Award
Introduction/Installation of Board of Directors: Linda Morris     
Dinner sponsored by Prevost
Awards sponsored by Daimler Buses North America                                       
- Midnight           Hospitality
Hospitality will be open after event until midnight.
Sponsored by GroupConnect

Tuesday, July 27
7:30 – 8:00         Board of Directors Meeting
Presiding: Walter Hubbard
8:00 – 9:45         Breakfast  (All Attendees)  
Industry Updates: United Motorcoach Association and American Bus Association
Breakfast sponsored by United Motorcoach Association 
10:00 - 2:00        Operators Education Session:  Emergency Preparedness
Moderator: Jimmy Cantrell, Daniel’s Charters & Tours
Don’t miss this session when fire and rescue, media, legal counsel, and FMCSA will participate in a simulated emergency.  What should your driver do or say? What is the owner’s response? What kind of preparations are needed for owner’s staff?  These and many other questions will be addressed. 
Lunch sponsored by Allen Insurance Group

 

 

AIRPORTS:
Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport
Airport Code: CHA
Phone: 423-855-2202
Web site: http://www.chattairport.com/
Distance from Hotel: 11 miles
Drive time: 15 minutes

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Airport Code: ATL
Phone: 404-209-1700
Web site: http://www.atlanta-airport.com/
Distance from Hotel: 120 miles
Drive time: 2 hours


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July 23rd to:

Hold for Kimberly Cox,
c/o GMOA: July 25-27
Chatta. Convention Center

One Carter Plaza
Chestnut Street Loading Dock
Chattanooga, TN 37402
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The Marriott Offers a Shuttle from the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport for a Fee of $15 each way with advance reservations, or $25 each way day of reservations.
For reservations call
423-756-0002.

Directions From Atlanta:
Take 285 N to 75 N to 24 W to 27N (Exit 178). Exit 1-A onto ML King Boulevard. At the 1st traffic light turn right on Carter Street. The hotel is located two blocks on the left.

Marriott Chattanooga at the Convention Center
Two Carter Plaza, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Phone: 423-756-0002

Chattanooga Convention Center
1150 Carter Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Phone: 423-756-0001