2011 AFSA Convention Info, New Registration Forms and Schedule
Where - Asheville, NC When - Friday, Sept. 30-Oct. 4, 2011 (Wed.)
The AFSA Board of Directors for the AFSA is proud to announce the arrangements and schedule for the 2011 AFSA Annual Convention to be held in Asheville, North Carolina at the famed and historic Grove Park Inn.
To ensure the AFSA special VIP rate for members and guests, contact Carol Lindstrom directly at the Grove Park Inn toll free at 1-866-474-1989 or 828-398-3828 . Make your reservations now!
The rate for the Grove Park inn will be $174.00 (plus 12% tax), which is heavily discounted off its standard $325/per night base, the rate for bookings after 8/31/2011. These rates are available also 3 days before and 3 days after the official start and finish of the Convention for our members and guests so you can opt to extend your stay.
Registration Form: Click on this, 2011 AFSA Convention Registration Form . Remember, you get $20 off if you pre-register before August 8th!.
Our schedule is as follows:
Asheville and vicinity offer no less than 13 stage perf ormance venues as well as Fall seasonal festivals in many neighboring communities.
The Blue Ridge Parkway Folk Art Center and the “Sanctuary of Stuff” are must visit venues for anyone interested in hand crafted products that make unique and interesting gifts.
The Canopy Park is a high adventure attraction that features 10 exhilarating zip lines that elevate you more than 200 feet or over valley gaps. One zip line extends more than 4 football fields in length.
Prior to departing for the convention, attendees will be provided with a variety of after convention recommended activities which include mountain oriented attractions like Chimney Rock State Park, Grandfather Mountain and the NC Arboretum. Several outstanding highlands golf courses are short drives from downtown Asheville as well as the sister cities of Hendersonville and Flat Rock NC which are great central locations that offer very affordable lodging
Friday, September 30
10:00AM-Noon-Grove Park Inn (GPI)-Early bird registration begins in the Great Hall lobby area next to the North wall fireplace.
3:00 PM is the Grove Park Inn’s official check in time. However they will provide early check in opportunities on a space available basis. If your room is not ready, proceed with your convention registration in the GPI lobby and consider starting your Asheville orientation via the Asheville Historic Trolley pass. (The Grove Park Inn is an official Historic Trolley tour stop).
10:00 AM - GPI- Historic Tour offered daily.
Lunch suggestions: The GPI’s Sunset Terrace, the Grovewood Café (a short walk from the GPI) or the Biltmore Village’s Corner Kitchen Café (reachable via the Asheville Historic Trolley Tour). Several downtown eateries are also located in the GROVE ARCADE, the 1st indoor shopping mall in the US (Also on the Trolley Tour).
12:20PM Start of the Bob Manzi AFSA Memorial Golf Tournament GPI Country Club (100 year old Donald Ross Course) the first tee time is at 12:20PM
2:00-6:15 PM-Hospitality Suite (HS) located in the Bob Timberlake Suite is available (6th floor of the Vanderbilt Wing) and where convention registration continues.
6:30 PM-Welcoming Reception & optional/casual group supper buffet-7th floor Sammon’s Wing Balcony.
8:00 PM-11:00 PM Hospitality Suite (HS) is available.
Saturday, October 1
7:00-9:00 AM-Hospitality Suite (HS)-Optional continental breakfast. Registration continues
8:30-11:30 AM-AFSA Board Meeting, Coolidge DE
9:00-AM - Explore Asheville via your Trolley Tour pass
10:00 AM-Historic Tour of the GPI if you missed it on Friday
11:30AM- 12:30 PM-Optional lunch in the HS for Board Meeting attendees-Helpful RSVPs required.
12:30-2:00 PM-Annual Business Meeting-Part I for everyone, &
2 PM-2:15 PM- Break
2:15-4:00 PM-Business Meeting Part II for AFSA members.
Laurel FGHJ
4:00-5:15 PM-HS is available-registration continues.
5:30 PM-Chartered Motor Coaches depart for Highland Lake Inn in Flat Rock, NC and an Optional group supper that includes an Asheville mountain music entertainment program plus a guided Asheville at night guided motor coach tour as well as admission to the Rock of Ages Gospel Music concert @ the NC Playhouse in Flat Rock.
8:00-11:00 PM-HS is open and registration continues.
Sunday, October 2
Sunrise Worship Service-7th fl. Sammons’ wing Skyline Room
7:30-9:00 AM - HS Optional continental breakfast
8:45 AM-5:00 PM-Optional Fall color foliage motorcoach via the , a shopping visit to historic Bryson City NC, mid AM snack provided in route, Dutch treat lunch on the mid point stop over on the 4 hour R/T Smokey Mountain Railroad tour featuring beautiful North Carolina high country Fall colors and admission to the SMR Museum.
10:00 AM-3:30 PM-Annual AFSA CPE and discussion on Wills, and Consultant’s Summit
Laurel FGHJ
11:30 AM HS Optional HS lunch for CPE attendees-Advance RSVPs requested.
4:00 to 6:30 PM Hospitality Suite (HS) is available
6:30-8:30 PM-AFSA Convention Banquet-7th floor Sammons wing Mountain View Terrace
8:00-11:00 PM-HS is available.
Monday, October 3
7:00-9:00 AM-HS Optional Continental Breakfast.
8:45-11:15 AM-Retirement Info & Issues Presentations-CSC, FERS, Thrift Savings, SSA , Medicare News and developing legislation and choosing Medicare or FEHB discussion, . Laurel FGHJ
11:30 AM- 5PM Motor Coach departs-Optional Biltmore Estate Tour-Part I that includes a group luch buffet at Deer Park Center. We tour the Biltmore Estate Mansion after lunch followed by time to explore the Mansion gardens and the Stable Arcade Shops. Returns to the GPI @ 5:00 PM. THIS IS THE PRIMARY ESTATE TOUR OFFERING.
Open night for your choice of a supper venue and a possible stage entertainment performance October 2011 performance schedules are not available at this time. We’ll provide several dinning recommendations.
8:00-11:00 PM HS opens-Monday night football viewing with modest pizza, snacks and deserts served @ 9:00 PM & halftime.
Tuesday, October 4
7:00-9:00 AM-HS Optional Continental Breakfast
8:30-10:30 AM-AFSA Pistol Match-On Target indoor range
11:00 AM Motor Coach departs the GPI for day II of touring at the Biltmore Estates. We start our day on the Estate with a group lunch at the Stable Loft. After lunch we begin the guided motor coach tour titled “Legacy of the Land”. The day ends with a visit to the Estate’s newest attraction called Antler Hill and the very special Estate Winery. We return to the GPI @ 5:00 PM.
An optional casual group supper venue will be announced.
8:00-11:00 PM-HS opens
Wednesday, October 5
7:00-9:00 AM HS Optional Continental Breakfast
Check-out & depart the GPI