You are Invited to Orlando!
Dear Members and Friends of ASTA,
Please mark your calendars, make your plans and join us June 21-25, 2008, in Orlando to
celebrate the 125th Annual Convention of the American Seed Trade Association!
Our commemorative logo says it all—Celebrating a Commitment to Agriculture and Innovation—and what a celebration
we have planned for you!
The host hotel is the fabulous Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center. Located just a short shuttle ride from
the Disney properties, this facility has it all—a five-acre, climate-controlled Atrium with restaurants, shops, a spa,
youth entertainment and wonderful accommodations. Outdoors, the hotel features several pools and one of the most
challenging miniature golf courses you will ever play!
The Gaylord Convention Center will be hosting the numerous business and committee meetings that are the
backbone of our Annual Convention. While we celebrate our past, we also endeavor to honor this important landmark in
our history by looking ahead. In addition to the dazzling Opening General Session, we have assembled an outstanding
array of speakers and topics that will provide a world-wide perspective on the future of our industry, from organic
to biotech, state and regional to international, including sessions on stewardship, intellectual property rights,
and more. Our popular State and Regional Associations Workshop makes a triumphant return, and don’t miss
the new Value of ASTA Membership Forum, offering a chance to share your needs with ASTA’s leadership. Even with all of
this valuable content, we’ve still made room to give you a afternoon off—convention programming on Monday, June 23,
will cut off for the day at 3:00 p.m.—so you can make the most of all the fun that is Orlando!
The expanded spouses program is highlighted by a wonderful excursion to nearby Winter Park. Shopping, lunch, wine
tasting and a boat tour of the fabulous homes on Lake Virginia should make for a great outing.
Bring the kids! Our youth program will feature a host of fun activities for children of all ages, including a Pizza and
Nintendo Wii party prior to the closing Gala Banquet. The hotel is also home to La Petite Academy, which will be
coordinating our youth programming.
A committee of volunteers has worked hard all year to make this 125th Anniversary conference unforgettable. Among
the many commemorative elements are a “Walk Through Time” historical display, a pictorial history book chronicling the
seed industry, 125 Years of the American Seed Trade Association, and a very special retrospective video presentation.
From the opening Golf Tournament (at the challenging Falcon’s Fire course, next to the hotel) to the closing Gala Banquet
(the Grammy-Award winning band “Party on the Moon” will have the dance floor packed!) you are sure to have a
great time.
Sincerely, |
