Port Orleans Resort, Walt Disney World, Orlando Florida

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We are headed to the sunshine state for CONA’s 24th annual convention. We decided to take a break from the recession, animal activists and crazy weather to have some fun in the sun. The theme for 2012 is "FUNVENTION". So pack your sunscreen and your smiles and join us!

The convention Hotel is the Port Orleans Resort located inside Walt Disney World, Orlando Florida. We are staying in the French Quarter section.

Join us for a little bit of New Orleans and the Louisiana Bayou, Disney Style! Just check out this web site:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/port-orleans-resort-french-quarter

The resort boasts a complex including six swimming pools, newly renovated guest rooms, a shopping district, fishing lagoon, playground area, cobblestone walkways, and American and Creole style cuisine. The lushly landscaped mile-long walking path along the Sassagoula River is great for a stroll. Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside is just a short walk down river where you can dine or take a horse-drawn carriage ride!

Guest Rooms are available for an affordable rate of $126 per night Double Occupancy. Be sure to mention CONA when you call for this discounted rate. Children under 18 stay free with parents. 3rd and 4th adults in a room is $15 per person extra. Reserve online or call 1-407-934-3372 (NOTE! Please be sure to spell out CONA as there seems to be some confusion in the spelling of the organization.)

All attendees staying at Port Orleans can arrange for free transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport on the Disney Magic Express! You’ll need to make a reservation for your free airport pick-up and return. Your luggage will be transferred right to your room upon arrival.

Http://disneyconventionears.disney.go.com/wdce/index?id=DMEPage .

1 day value Pass after 4:00 pm $52 (Adult Pricing with tax included)

1 day Value Pass after 2:00 pm $66

2 Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket + 1 fun Visit - - $ 161.03, w park hopping - $ 213.75

3 Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket + 1 fun Visit - - $ 222.38, w park Hopping - $ 275.09

4 Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket + 1 fun Visit - - $ 232.92, w park Hopping - $ 285.64

Purchase Disney Park Tickets at  https://disneytickets.disney.go.com/store/cona

Thursday Tour Day will find us travelling to the Grand Oaks Resort http://www.thegrandoaks.com in Weirsdale Florida. The resort is home to the Florida Carriage Museum of Gloria Austin. This equine inspired resort also has carriage rides, horseback riding, shopping, walking trails and gorgeous stables. We’ll be touring the Grand Oaks stables in addition to a two hour guided tour of the Florida Carriage Museum located in the resort. The museum is home to one of the world's most magnificent carriage collections.

After the tour we will break for lunch in a private room that is available all day for our use. Following lunch the group will hear presentations by Gavin Robson and Lindsay Clark.

Gavin Robson grew up in Melbourne, Australia and rode race horses for the first ten years of his equine career. When he discovered competitive carriage driving, he knew he could succeed at the sport and bought a pair of horses. He sold carriage rides in downtown Melbourne with his pair for several years, while competing and working with various clients. In 1994 and again in 2004, Gavin won the Australian National Combined Driving Championships. He has traveled and studied with several international drivers around the world. Eventually, he moved to the United States and put together a young team of Dutch Harness Horses which he qualified to take to the World Equestrian Games in 2010 and placed 17th out of the top drivers in the world. Now at The Grand Oaks, Gavin is the head trainer for their Combined Driving program, training both clients and their horses, while also creating another team of Dutch Harness Horses to compete in Combined Driving Events all around the East Coast.   

Lindsay Clark graduated from the University of Florida Equine Sciences program and has worked at the Grand Oaks (formerly the Florida Carriage Museum) for the past four years. She is an accomplished CAA Certified Level 2 Driver and occasionally shows the Grand Oaks horses in Pleasure Driving Competitions. She is also a CAA Level 1 Instructor, teaching students of all ages how to properly and safely drive single horses or pairs. Lindsay has groomed or driven for weddings, demos, competitions and special events for several years. In her spare time, she rides her quarter horse, Bullseye, in endurance competitions and last season they accomplished over 300 competitive miles together. 

The remainder of the convention will be spent on the go at Disney World. Friday starts with a mid-morning tour of The Tri-Circle-D Ranch, home to the Disney horses which pull the trolleys and the famous six white horse hitch that pulls the Cinderella Carriage. After a tour and Q&A session with the ranch managers and staff, we will hop on board the Disney hay wagons for a hayride through Fort Wilderness. The bus will depart back to Port Orleans and tour goers will receive a boxed lunch which they can take on the go. The afternoon is free time which can be spent lounging pool side with fellow CONA members, enjoying the resort or visiting one of the Disney Parks.

On Saturday we will take advantage of the free Disney resort transportation to travel to the Yacht & Beach Club for our marketing round robin and Annual Meeting of the Membership. The morning starts off with an 8:00 am breakfast buffet in the Great Hall. During the meeting we will update members on various issues concerning our industry including marketing ideas and dealing with animal activists. We’ll conclude the meeting with our annual elections. The meeting ends at noon so that everyone has free time to visit Mickey Mouse or their favorite theme park.

Immediately following the Annual Meeting of the Membership, board members, including those newly elected to the board will remain for the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors, (which has traditionally been held on the Sunday following). This allows new and continuing board members to make Sunday travel plans without restrictions.

Our Annual Banquet for members and their families will be held at Fort Wilderness Resort with a Barbecue Hoedown in the covered Fort Wilderness Pavilion. This casual affair will be fun for children of all ages as we dance and dine beach side.

This convention is centered around Fun in the Sun. We will be taking advantage of all Walt Disney World has to offer. So leave your troubles behind and bring the family for a fun-filled stay at Port Orleans Resort. For those of you wishing to come early or stay a few days later the hotel rates can be extended provided they have availability, so make your reservations early.

I hope you are able to take advantage of all this convention has to offer. 
Check the website: hjttp://www.CONA.org and our facebook page for more: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Carriage-Operators-of-North-America/268901116083.

Our 24th annual convention should have something for everyone. Walt Disney World is a great place to enjoy the company of good friends and family. There will be plenty of free time in our itinerary to explore the theme parks, restaurants and night life. All Disney resort guests can take advantage of the extended theme park hours during their stay. I hope to see many old friends and new as we see a wonderful carriage collection, learn about our industry and have some good old fashioned fun!

As the recession grinds on and it becomes harder each year for the carriage industry to remain profitable it is important that we continue to network and share our success and troubles with our industry friends. I hope you see the value in attending. We've worked hard to keep the costs affordable. Please call us at 215-923-8516 if you have any convention questions.

I hope you all had a healthy and happy holiday season and I hope to see you in Orlando!

Linda Kramer ~~~~~ President Carriage Operators of North America