2008 CONA Convention

20^th Annual CONA Convention

Feb 28^th- March 1^st, 2008 - Charleston South Carolina

Complete Agenda Convention Registration Form

Convention Opens Thursday Feb 28^th, 2008

Hotel Photo Convention Hotel

The Renaissance Hotel

Hotel Direct Number 1-843-534-0300

Special Room Rate - $139.00 per night
Must be booked no later than
5 PM, Tuesday, February 05, 2008.
Reservations will be made by
individual attendees directly with
Marriott reservations at
1 (800) 605.1498 or (843) 534-0300.
(Regular rates are $269 - $349) per night)
Rate Available Feb 26^th- March 3^rd

The Renaissance is
Located in downtown Charleston,
within walking distance to EVERYTHING!

2008 CONA Convention Agenda

Wednesday, February 27

3:00-6:00 Registration

6:00-8:00 Social Welcoming and Reception

Member will be given time to catch up with other member and get updates on the past year!

Thursday, February 28, Tour Day

7:00 Carriage Company Observations

Every morning members are allowed to tour through any or all of the five carriage company barns in the city. This is optional and is done on your own.

9:30-10:30 Palmetto Carriage Tour

Palmetto Carriage will pick up everyone at the hotel and take them on a one hour, fully narrated tour of the city of Charleston.

10:30-11:30 Provost Dungeon and Old Exchange Building Tour

Members will be dropped off by carriages at the Exchange Building where they will all enjoy a one hour tour of this historical site.

11:30-12:15 Tour of Palmetto Carriage Works

Member will be picked up by carriage after the tour of the Exchange Building and taken to Palmetto Carriage Works. Here they will be able to tour the facility briefly before heading across the street to lunch. More time to check out this facility is available every morning of the convention as shown on this itinerary.

12:15-1:45 Lunch at A W Shucks

Enjoy lunch at a local favorite in the heart of the market. The menu will be selected by the members prior to the lunch date and will include many tasty varieties

2:00-4:30 Speaker #1--Margaret Seidler

Margaret Seidler, MPA, is an Organization Development (OD) Consultant and Master Trainer. Her practice involves organization assessments, work culture advancement, leadership development, team building, conflict resolution and work relationship training.

4:30-6:00 Vendor Trade Show

The presenter will be Buck McColl with Mobile Milling.

6:00-8:00 Break for dinner

8:00-9:00 Ghost Tour

Ghost Tour Guides will meet members in the lobby of the hotel and take them on a one hour, narrated tour of the haunted streets of Charleston.

Friday, February 29

7:00 Carriage Company Observations

9:00-10:00 Speaker #2--A City Official

A city official will address the members on such topics such as the duties involved in regulating the largest carriage industry in North America

10:00-11:00 Speaker #3--Sgt. Wilson

Sergeant Wilson will address the members on his leadership role in enforcing the laws and regulations of the carriage industry in Charleston.

11:30 Buses depart for Mullet Hall Equestrian Center

12:00-12:30 Box Lunches at Mullet Hall

Box Lunches will be given out as people depart from the bus

12:30-3:30 Mullet Hall Equestrian Center

Mullet Hall
Members will enjoy not only hitching demonstrations, but also are allowed to participate!

2:30 First Shuttle leaves to return to Hotel

Members are given the option to return to the hotel to enjoy some free time. Others may opt to stay longer at Mullet Hall.

3:30 Last Bus departs Mullet Hall

4:00-6:00 Vendor Trade Show and Reception

This year Southern Excursions will also be sponsoring a reception Speaking with us will be Shelley Smith, Feed Sales and Technical Representative for Southern States Cooperative and

Marty Adams, PhD, PAS, Equine Nutritionist/Horse Feed Manager at Southern States Cooperative.

Saturday, March 1

7:00 Carriage Company Observations

9:00-12:15 Speaker #3--Julie Fershtman--Broken into 2 Sessions

1^st Session. Liability in Carriage Activities and Suggestions for Avoiding It. She is widely considered to be the nation’s leading expert on equine liability, will discuss what has created liability in carriage activities and strategies for avoiding it.

2^nd Session. Equine Liability Insurance, and How to Avoid Disputes With Your Insurance Company. This presentation is designed to help you understand what types of insurance equine business owners can purchase, and how you can avoid disputes with your insurance company.

12:15-1:15 Deli lunch at Hotel

1:15-3:00 Round Robin Marketing Session

3:00-5:00 Annual Members Meeting

6:30 Annual Banquet at Palmetto Carriage

Bring the convention to a close with a bang at the BIG RED BARN!