TLPA

TLPA’s Spring Conference and Exposition
Birmingham, AL • April 6–9, 2006

BY HAL MORGAN
TLPA DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

When attendees to the TLPA Spring Conference and Exposition in Birmingham catch their first glimpse of Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa they will be tempted to say, "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Alabama anymore." And they will not be in Scotland either, which is where, just for a moment, they may think they are when they see what appears to be a Celtic castle rising from the edge of an emerald golf course set amidst rolling, wooded hills.

Enjoy an enriched educational experience· TLPA President Brian McBride and host operator Ellis Houston invite taxicab, limousine, executive sedan, paratransit operators and industry suppliers to the Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa in Birmingham, April 6-9, 2006 for our Spring Conference & Exposition.

The session topics, selected by the Taxicab and Limousine & Paratransit Steering Committees, are issues most critical to each segment of the industry. Our general session speakers are well known industry leaders from the top transportation companies who will provide you with valuable tools and insights in an incomparable learning experience. All you have to do is attend. Our very popular breakout sessions will allow you to visit the division of your choice and discuss the unique issues. As with all TLPA educational sessions, our presentations have been chosen to present industry innovations, solutions, and techniques to help you better lead your organization to provide the highest quality transportation service.

TLPA’s Spring Conference will continue the tradition of having our food & beverage functions in the Exhibition Room. The Spring Conference allows a smaller, more intimate setting than does our Annual Convention, which in turn, will allow our exhibitors to focus on you in a more relaxed, informal atmosphere. The exhibition will feature tabletop and floor exhibits from suppliers dedicated to the transportation industry--ready and eager to show you new ways they can help you build your business.

Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa is a new luxury hotel surrounded by the natural beauty and lush landscape of an 8,200 yard Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail championship golf course. Opened in August 2005, the resort is located on the southeast outskirts of downtown Birmingham, conveniently located to downtown and the airport.

The Ross Bridge offers everything you would expect from a first class property in its own unique style. Among the room amenities you’ll find granite counters, triple sheeted beds with duvets, individual climate control, hair dryer, separate tub and shower, desk level electrical outlets, cordless phone and high speed internet. If you need a little pampering, schedule some time in their full service European spa and salon.

The land around the golf course was named Brock's Gap so the hotel restaurant is named Brock's. Executive Chef Robert Kamm, who trained in Switzerland, oversees the restaurant where the dinner menu is Mediterranean inspired and features as much local food as possible. "More than half will be Alabama products in the summer," Kamm says. As for the wine cellar, don't expect to choose your dinner wine while sitting at your table. Instead of getting a wine list, you'll be asked to come inside the wine cellar for a tasting. The circular 860 bottle wine cellar is decorated with soft shades of gold and green, and lit with a striking brushed stainless steel and glass raindrop chandelier.

All this makes for an incredible host hotel, but even more incredible is the $129 room rate that TLPA members will enjoy at the conference.

Ellis Houston of Birmingham Yellow Cab, host operator has generously volunteered to host a reception at Birmingham’s Barber Museum. The museum houses the largest collection of vintage motorcycles in the world. Four floors and more than 800 vintage and modern motorcycles can be explored throughout the evening while enjoying heavy hors d’oeuvres reception with full bar compliments of Birmingham Yellow Cab!

Built with the intention of hosting championship level tournament, perhaps even a PGA major, Ross Bridge can play as short as 4,880 yards or as long as 8,194 yards, making it the 3rd longest course in the world. The course will play host to a Champions Tour event, the Brunos Memorial Classic, May 1-7, so golfers can play the same course that Hale Irwin and Raymond Floyd will be playing. Looking up the fairway on the ninth hole or the 18th hole, the beauty of the scenery certainly makes an impression. The holes play up either side of a large lake to greens separated by a waterfall and with the gorgeous hotel as a backdrop.

Don’t miss the tour of Birmingham Yellow Cab on Saturday afternoon. Ellis Houston has invited convention participants into his Birmingham facilities to see his state of the art 100 vehicle operation. Yellow Cab has seamlessly integrated the dispatch, cashiering, leasing, accounting and maintenance functions of is operation by utilizing the latest advances in computer hardware, software and communications technology in a driver and employee friendly environment. This is your opportunity to learn from one of the best by touring this premier transportation facility. As Ellis said, “I look forward to hosting my friends and peers for our Spring Conference in Birmingham, which is known here in the South as the ‘Magic City.’ You don’t want to miss this conference if you want to be treated to some true southern hospitality in a city with true southern charm.”

Clear your calendar for TLPA’s most affordable, educational conference of 2006. You will have ample opportunity to exchange ideas and solutions with your peers throughout the conference. Take advantage of this important event, you’ll be glad you did! With a $129 room rate you can't afford not to go.

To register for this meeting, contact TLPA by going to the association’s web site
at www.tlpa.org or call the TLPA office at 301-946-5700.

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