Coming along
15 April 2008
The schedule at this Annual Conference, 10–14 April at the Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio, Texas, US, includes dozens of educational sessions, networking events and committee meetings.
Among the anticipated highlights are the Products Fair with more than 50 exhibitors; the Rigging and Hauling Jobs of the Year competitions; the Annual Awards and Recognition Dinner; the SC&R Foundation Gala sponsored by the Ladies Group; golf, tennis and fun run events; receptions for international members, first-time attendees and spouses; and a tour of the Spanish Mission Trail.
The Westin La Cantera recently was selected by Condé Nast Traveller for its Gold List of The World's Best Places to Stay for 2006. Nestled atop one of the highest points in all of San Antonio, the resort offers breathtaking views of downtown and the beautiful Texas Hill Country.
Educational Sessions Will Feature
Opening general session speaker, Doug Keeley, will show attendees how to improve themselves and their businesses through stories about the world's greatest leaders – individuals, teams and brands – and the principles that drive leadership. Such clients as HP, Microsoft, Pepsi, Starbucks and Xerox give rave reviews to a session made even more powerful by the use of sophisticated multimedia.
Kirsten Allen will examine the FISH! Philosophy, which includes four simple steps for higher productivity, work enjoyment, lower staff turnover, improved customer satisfaction and the expectation of fun at work. These techniques can be used at any company.
Paul Montelongo will explain how to qualify leads, initiate meaningful conversations and weed out the non-serious prospective clients. He will demonstrate techniques for distinguishing between cool and lukewarm leads and hot prospects, qualifying prospects in person and determining the real level of a prospect's seriousness.
Tim Gard, a nationally recognized humorist and authority on stress reduction through humour, will enlighten his audience with proven techniques on improving relations and turning adversity into an advantage through “Comic Vision.” He will reveal four steps to overcoming stress through laughter and techniques to balance unavoidable stress.
A panel of experienced industry leaders will share techniques that crane and rigging and transportation companies have used to mitigate damages when a major insurance claim occurs. Moderated by NBIS Construction & Transport Underwriters Inc president, Kevin Cunningham, the panel will include Bill Smith, managing director, Loss Control Associates; Bryan Thomas, president, Cannon Cochrane Management Services Inc; and Robert Moore, managing partner, Stone & Moore Chartered.
Larry Oxenham, vice president, National Foundation for Tax Planning and Asset Protection, will present valuable information on how to protect a business, property, retirement funds and assets; identify sources of lawsuits business owners are exposed to, and implement key strategies of tax reduction.
Frank Miles, entertainer at the Closing Night Awards & Recognition Dinner, will use comical monologues, music and magic to create visual metaphors that illustrate the simple truths that can free anyone from self-imposed limits.
Top Golf
Once again, the Annual Conference will feature a golf tournament that provides great opportunities for attendees to network with potential customers and catch up with old friends. Tee off for this year's tournament at The Resort Course, designed by noted golf course architect Jay Morrish and PGA Tour professional Tom Weiskopf. Winding through the Texas Hill Country, the par-72 course has been named one of the Top 10 public access golf courses in the US by Golf Magazine and one of the best new courses by Golf Digest.
Home to the PGA Tour's Valero Texas Open, the course is known for its breathtaking views, the most famous being the sheer 80 foot drop from the 7th tee to the fairway, and offers spectacular views of the downtown San Antonio skyline.
Also at the resort is the Palmer Course, designed by golf legend Arnold Palmer. The course features several signature holes, including the par 3 No. 4 hole with dramatic waterfalls along the entire front of the green and a tribute to Palmer's late wife: The Winnie Palmer Memorial Bridge. The Palmer Course is adjacent to the existing Resort Course at La Cantera, and together, the public courses provide 36 exciting holes of championship golf to guests of The Westin La Cantera Resort.