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GICA’s 106th Annual Convention is August 10 -12 at the Westin New Orleans Canal Place Hotel. Please register, either online or by mail, and make your hotel reservations as soon as possible.
The Westin is again offering us an excellent room rate Call the Westin directly to reserve your room (888-627-8180 or 504-566-7006) or online at www.westin.com/canalplace.
This year’s program will follow the same general course as previous conventions; however we'll update attendees on critical issues affecting waterways budgets, hotwash the recent high water event and engage experienced panelists on operational issues affecting our GIWW.
Our keynote speakers will be highlighted by Congressman Steve Scalise of Louisiana's First District. A strong waterways and marine industry supporter and advocate, he will join us for lunch on Wednesday. We'll also introduce and welcome RADM Roy Nash, Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District on Thursday morning.
GOLF is back on our program! Sign up for our GICA golf outing. Tee time at the Lakewood Golf Club in Algiers will be Wednesday, August 10th at 8:00 AM. The format will be a "shamble best two balls" where each player will hit their drive, the team will choose the best drive location and then each player will play their ball for the rest of each hole. The best two final scores will make up the team score for each hole. We will serve coffee and donuts prior to tee off and will serve soft drinks and beer on the course during play.There is no additional charge for golf, so please join us! Contact Larry Barbish (504-584-1535, lbarbish@canalbarge.com) or Tommy Echols (713-907-1612, tommy@echomarineltd.com) for golf details.
Our Spouses' program is now set! Spouses will meet at 12 noon at Cafe' Adelaide for lunch (in the Loew's Hotel, 300 Poydras St). Cafe' Adelaide is part of the celebrated Commander's Palace Family of Restaurants, inspired by the Brennan's beloved Aunt Adelaide, who personified the avant-garde cocktail culture of the late 1950s and 1060s, and represents the joie de vivre of all that is New Orleans. Everything about Cafe' Adelaide is centered around her charming pursuit of the good life...from high falutin' to low-down...with great New Orleans food.
After lunch spouses will walk down the street and board the Creole Queen (Spanish Plaza, foot of Poydras) at about 1:45 pm. They'll cruise down the Mississippi River aboard this paddlewheeler, and view the French Quarter and Port of New Orleans from the river as the Captain entertains us with a detailed narration of New Orleans landmarks, history and river lore. Disembarking at the site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, spouses can tour the Chalmette Battlefield and the Malus-Beauregard House before reboarding for the return cruise.
The Creole Queen will return about 4:30 pm, in plenty of time to make the GICA reception.
Sponsors - I’d like to ask everyone to consider expanding or continuing your support for this critical function, through a Convention Sponsorship. The financial support we gain from our generous sponsors is essential to maintaining the posture and credibility of our organization. This will be especially true as we look to improve upon excellent industry support provided by GICA to date.
There are four
levels of sponsorship:
Platinum - $2,500
and up; Gold - $1000 and up; Silver - $750 and up; Bronze - up to
$750
All sponsors are recognized throughout the convention for their commitment to GICA. Please respond with your level of support prior to August 1st in order to ensure inclusion on all published materials prepared in advance of the convention.
GICA also welcomes exhibitors to the convention. Exhibitors can expect to reach an outstanding audience of waterways, maritime and industry experts during the event. Exhibitors can register using the tabs above.
Please review the current agenda for our Convention. Be sure to check gicaonline.com and www.gica2011.eventbrite.com
for updates to the agenda as additional topics are developed and speakers confirm attendance.
See you in August!
Jim Stark, Executive Director, GICA
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