I’m looking out my window at over a foot of snow thinking I’ve already had enough of winter and its only December 28th.

What better way to beat the winter doldrums than to make your reservation for the CFA Summer Convention, 2011. The 2011 Event will be held from August 3rd through August 11th at the Wintergreen Resort in Wintergreen, Virginia. This Blue Ridge Mountains resort rests adjacent to the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway as well as a short driving distance to Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. Did I mention that there are several wineries close by, not to mention 45 holes of golf on their property. They also have a spa, aquatics and fitness center, and one of the US’s top tennis facilities. The resort recently added an Out of Bounds Adventure Center Dome, which could keep the kids (up to 60 years old) busy for days.

The Wintergreen Resort was on the docket for the 2008 meeting but it was contingent upon the resort adding more rooms to accommodate our following (we have used as many as 180). The economy scuttled the resort’s building plans but it also brought down our attendance figures to the point where we couldn’t in their existing accommodations.

We have negotiated a great room rate of $119 for a single accommodation room and $205 for a two bedroom unit. There are a limited number of larger condominiums available. This is the least expensive room we’ve been able to offer in the past 10 years. We were only able to secure 60 rooms on peak nights at this rate so I suggest you act now to ensure you have a spot. Our special rates extend three days prior and three days after the event in case you want to extend your stay. We are working with Tim Parrish, our current president who lives a short distance away, to develop a great entertainment with at least one off-site event (perhaps at a winery).

The real reason to attend, however, is the education and networking. The trend toward more business management presentations will continue with risk management presentations, best practices, and a host of other relevant and timely topics. We will have technical presentations as well. The program isn’t entirely full so if you have a topic or issue you would like us to address give me a call or better yet, email me at esauter@cfawalls.org and we’ll see what we can do.

Call the Wintergreen Resort reservation number 1-800- 611-6888 today and ask for the Concrete Foundation Association group. It will make you feel warmer inside. If you are thinking of hiking the Appalachian Trail to the meeting I suggest you start no later than early June, depending on where you are coming from. We’ll have someone pick you up at the edge of the property. Operators are standing by (from 9-5 EST, Monday-Friday).

Ed Sauter, Executive Director, CFA

esauter@cfawalls.org