TLPA

2010 TLPA SPRING CONFERENCE AND EXPO

TLPA will hold its 2010 Spring Conference and Expo in Historic Charleston, South Carolina, April 19-21. This year, TLPA President Victor Dizengoff directs TLPA members’ focus on "Resilience, Recovery and Recreation" as the association convenes at the Doubletree Guest Suites in Historic Charleston.

The hotel sits at the intersection of Market and Church Streets in the center of Charleston's best tourist district. The hotel's grand lobby exemplifies traditional Charlestonian ambience that is further illustrated in small lavish touches throughout the hotel and the southern hospitality of the employees. Behind the charm lie all the modern amenities one needs like high speed Internet access in the guest rooms, complimentary WiFi in the public areas, a Fitness/Cardio Center, and full service business center.

Spacious guestrooms overlook the tranquil fountain courtyard or the beautiful historic buildings and homes of the city. Executive King Rooms are the newest addition and have larger bathrooms. All other guestrooms are suites that offer a separate living area. Amenities include workstations with ergonomic chairs, wet bars, refrigerators, bistro tables, sleeper sofas, and Sweet Dreams® beds featuring plush top mattress, luxurious linens, down comforter and an abundant supply of jumbo pillows.

Adjacent to Charleston's City Market, the hotel is in an excellent location for your explorations of the city: carriage rides, shopping in the boutiques of King Street, Waterfront Park, the colorful homes of "Rainbow Row", and the city's best restaurants. Since antebellum days its stately mansions, romantic harborscape and bustling open market have enchanted visitors to Charleston. Now acclaimed restaurants, chic boutiques, theatres, galleries and pulsing night spots have all brought flavor and fashion to the city's historic allure. Southern hospitality and outstanding business resources are waiting for TLPA in Charleston.

This year’s meeting is on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, beginning Monday, April 19 with the Taxicab Committee and Paratransit & Contracting Committee meetings at 1:30 p.m.:

• The exhibit hall opens with a Cocktail Reception from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
  
  
  
• Tuesday morning we will begin with a breakfast buffet in the exhibit hall followed by a general session.
  
  
  
• After a luncheon buffet with our exhibitors, the Limousine & Sedan Committee will meet before three concurrent breakout sessions are offered during the remaining afternoon hours.
  
  
  
• An open meeting of the TLPA Board of Directors is planned for Wednesday morning. The board will discuss what course the association will take for the coming year including establishing the legislative agenda; review the status of the strategic plan and future meeting site selections.
  

The exhibit hall will feature tabletop and floor exhibits from vendors eager to show attendees their newest products and services. As always, the TLPA exhibit hall will be the location of the food & beverage functions including the opening cocktail reception, buffet breakfast, and the buffet lunch. The Spring Expo allows for a more intimate setting than does the association’s Annual Trade Show and our exhibitors take advantage of that time concentrating on you, their customers, in a more relaxed atmosphere.

Locals say that a harbor cruise is one of the best things to do while in Charleston so TLPA is taking their advice! Join us for a Sunset Blues & BBQ Cruise on Tuesday, April 20. We'll board Charleston Harbor Tours' Carolina Belle at 6:00pm and cruise from 6:30pm-8: 30pm.

During our spin around the harbor you'll see famous Civil War sites like Fort Sumter, Patriot's Point, and the Battery. You'll also get a unique perspective of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. With a main span of 1,546 feet this impressive structure is among the longest cable stayed bridges in the Western Hemisphere.

But TLPA didn't name this cruise "blues & BBQ" for nothing! Enjoy the sounds of one of Charleston's finest blues band, Shrimp City Slim, while sipping your favorite libation. Then dig in to Fiery Ron's Home Team BBQ buffet which will serve up dry rub chicken and brisket that Ron says will "knock your socks off!" The Carolina Belle has two decks — A "Main Salon" which is climate controlled and an "Observation Deck", half of which is covered by awning.

Please use the following link to access a registration form for the 2010 TLPA Spring Conference and Expo.

http://www.tlpa.org/meetings/springcnof_reg_form_2010.pdf

Harold Morgan, TLPA Executive Vice President, submitted this article. He can be reached at (301) 984-5700 or hmorgan@tlpa.org.