by Carla Ruschival
The 2010 ACB conference and convention was nothing short of terrific! Every convention has its special qualities and unique characteristics, and we all returned home from Phoenix with a whole new set of great ACB memories.
I want to take this opportunity to publicly thank the staff of the Phoenix Downtown Sheraton Hotel for its outstanding work on this conference. Whether it was early morning or late at night, the staff was always there, with a smile, working to make this a fabulous conference week. The ACB Cafe was outstanding, and the cash-and-carry line at the auction was to be commended.
Thanks also to the Arizona host committee for your hard work and for your special ACB spirit. Your southwest treasures welcome party, with its mariachi band, was great fun and set the tone for the entire week.
A huge thanks goes to the ACB national convention committee, staff and volunteers who pitched in to make this convention possible. Without each and every one of you, the week would not have been successful.
Now we turn from the sunny southwest north to the Silver State. The 2011 ACB conference and convention will be in Reno the week of July 8-16. It's ACB's golden anniversary (our 50th), and the excitement is already beginning to build. The Nevada local host committee is up and running, and plans are starting to take shape.
The fabulous John Ascuaga's Nugget Hotel Resort Casino is our convention home, and rates are $87 a night, single/double, plus tax. Add $10 per night for each additional person in your room. This fabulous hotel has two 29-story towers with over 1,500 rooms, eight restaurants, six bars, pool, fitness center, and, of course, a casino.
I plan to highlight a different attraction or hotel feature each month. This month we'll start with Rosie's Cafe, a 24-hour restaurant with a much-varied menu. Rosie's currently features daily specials from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. for $6.95; good stuff like chicken and dumplings, beef tips, salads, sandwiches and veggies. From 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Rosie's offers a steak and egg special for $4.95. Think I'll be staying up late (or getting up early)! Prices and featured items are of course subject to change.
Get in on the fun. Make hotel reservations by calling 1-800-648-1177. Use group code "gblind" to insure that you receive the ACB rate.
On the serious side: We are already beginning work on session programs and schedules, exhibits, advertising and sponsorships, and more. Materials will soon be available for affiliates, committees, and companies who wish to participate in the ACB 50th anniversary celebration.
For more information, call the ACB national office at (202) 467-5081 or 1-800-424-8666, or contact Carla Ruschival, chair, ACB national conference and convention committee, at (502) 303-7042 or by e-mail at [email protected].