Amelia Island Plantation ● Amelia Island, FL
Sunday through Wednesday, June 6 - 9, 2010
Start Your Summer
Off Right!
School's out and it's the perfect opportunity to bring the family to the beach. Join the GhFA and leaders of Georgia's furniture industry for a memorable experience!
Quick Links
- Hotel Room Block Reservation Information
Sponsorship opportunities for the 56th Annual Convention
Golf Hole Sponsorship opportunities for The Claude Bailey Memorial Golf Tournament
To begin your Annual Convention registration, please click on the links above and print the PDF forms.
More Annual Convention Information
A Personal Invitation from David Renkes, 2009/2010 GhFA President
While all of us are facing challenges in this tough economy and work to manage daily obstacles, it is extremely important for us to keep our attention on the big picture as well. Taking time to plan for a more prosperous future will pay dividends far outweighing our current economic downturn.
Based on my previous experience attending the Annual Convention, programs offered will help me and you plan for the future, and be better business leaders and industry supporters.
There is something for everyone at this year's convention! You'll be impressed with the high-quality social and networking opportunities mixed in with informative business programs and sports outings for you and your family to enjoy.
For the first-time convention attendees; you won't be disappointed! For those of you who are second or third generation attendees, you know what's in store! It's important for us all to stay connected to our industry and what better way to do so than participating in the Georgia home Furnishings Association 56th Annual Convention!
I look forward to seeing you on the coast!
back to More Annual Convention Information
Networking & Relationship Building Opportunities
The 56th Annual GhFA Convention begins with Sunday's Kick-Off Celebration, complete with food, fun and music for the whole family. All attendees are invited to gather at 6:15 PM in your casual beach attire and sandals for a cocktail reception. This is a great time to greet fellow members to renew business relationships and make new contacts.
Join the GhFA in their 1st Annual Business Expo held in conjunction with Sunday's Kick-Off Celebration. We have incorporated a great way for you to network with potential bottom line savers for your company. We are expecting representatives from each of our Member Service providers to be on hand to talk with you about ways their products and services could help you hold on to your hard earned dollars while experiencing flawless results. We look forward to your participation in this exciting new way to bring together Georgia's furniture leaders with top-notch service providers during this annual social reception.
7 GREAT REASONS TO EXHIBIT AT THE GhFA BUSINESS EXPO 2010!
PROMOTE YOUR PRODUCT!
Give away small samples of a product! It's your exhibit – be creative!CREATE EXCITEMENT!
Collect business cards for a drawing of your choice at the end of the Expo.REWARD YOUR EMPLOYEES!
Give your hard working employees a change of pace and have them with you staffing your table and talk with potential customers.BUILD THAT PROSPECT LIST!
Think of all the business cards you will draw at your exhibit.BUILD YOUR NETWORK!
Network with other businesses who will also be exhibiting at the Expo.MEET NEW CUSTOMERS!
Meet some of the 240-PLUS members who stay connected with the GhFA.EAT, DRINK, & BE MERRY!
It's Sunday! Enjoy a family dinner with everyone you have just met after the Expo closes down. Think of all the great contacts you have just made.The deadline to register for the GhFA Business Expo 2010 is THURSDAY, May 20, 2010. This is your chance to meet with various furniture industry leaders in a more intimate setting! Slots are rapidly filling up and there are only a few spaces left. Hurry and take advantage of marketing your business to the furniture leaders of Georgia on Sunday, June 6, 2010 at the beautiful Amelia Island Plantation! Applications are still available at the GhFA office and MUST be received no later than Thursday, May 20, 2010.
Please call Valori Harris, GhFA Executive Director, for more information 678.407.1131.
Additional social opportunities for members to network are planned for Tuesday evening. The President's Social and Dinner close the convention in eloquent style. The 2010 "Retailer of Merit" and "Rep of Merit" Awards are presented and new officers and board members are installed.
back to More Annual Convention Information
Recognition & Chapter Leadership
"Retailer of Merit"
The “Retailer of Merit” (previously, “Nice Guy”) Award is designed to create and promote good relationships between the dealer and the representative by recognizing the outstanding characteristics and achievements by individual retailers. The top five finalists will be selected from your nominations.
The “Retailer of Merit” nominee must be a member of GhFA and should be of high caliber and recognized for their warmth and friendliness. They should be of good business ethics, fair in the treatment of their fellow man and honest in their trade relationships.
"Retailer of Merit" Finalist Nominee
"Rep of Merit"
Each year at the GhFA Convention, a deserving home furnishings manufacturer's representative in the state of Georgia is honored with the "Rep of Merit" award. This prestigious award is given "in recognition of dedicated service to Georgia home furnishings retailers," and has been presented at twenty-nine conventions. The top five finalists will be selected from your nominations.
The “Rep of Merit” nominee must be a member of GhFA and should be of high caliber and recognized for their warmth and friendliness. They should be of good business ethics, fair in the treatment of their fellow man and honest in their trade relationships.
"Rep of Merit" Finalist Nominee
back to More Annual Convention Information
GhFA Mixed Doubles Tennis Tournament
Set aside some time to join your friends and fellow furniture business partners on the tennis courts of Amelia Island Plantation's Racquet Park on Monday, June 7th beginning at 2:00 PM. Guardsman/Valspar has generously committed to sponsor the entire afternoon of Round Robin Mixed Doubles Tennis for you to enjoy. Whether you are a spectator, seasoned veteran or relatively new to the courts, come on out for an afternoon of laughter and friendly competition. We look forward to seeing you in the beautiful summer sun for this exciting annual event.
(Make sure to register to play prior to your arrival on the 56th Annual GhFA Convention Registration form.)
Claude Bailey Memorial Golf Tournament
Make plans to join the group for an exciting round of golf on Tuesday, June 8th teeing off at 8:30 AM at the Ocean Links Course at the Amelia Island Plantation Resort. Winding along a coastal Atlantic dune ridge, Ocean Link #4, #5, #6, #15 and #16 provide golfers with five oceanfront golf holes. The fairways and greens are parallel to the beach of Amelia Island and meander through a unique coastal maritime hammock. Named by Golf for Women as one of the "50 Best Courses for Women", this close proximity to the ocean and the ever-changing sea breeze provide the golfer with exhilarating views and intriguing play. Ocean Links has 10 holes that feature lagoons and marsh wetlands, in addition to concluding with a par three whose green is placed strategically in the waters of Red Maple Lake. The course winds through six miles of the natural sand dunes and seaside terrain that make Amelia Island so special. It can be said that this course offers as much a nature tour as a round of golf. The course yardage of 6,300 is somewhat deceiving since small greens, narrow fairways and prevailing winds make the course play much longer. At par 70, this 18-hole combination provides a challenge to golfers of all levels.
If you would like to improve your game, private and group lessons are available by appointment. Practice areas include a driving range, putting green and chipping green. Rental clubs are available as needed. (Make sure to register to play prior to your arrival on the 56th Annual GhFA Convention Registration form.)
The level of support the Georgia home Furnishings Association depends solely on the contributions the association receives from leaders like you! Place your company in the spotlight before representatives from all segments of the industry. This event always leads to a productive morning of developing business relationships, while stirring up some friendly competition. Act now; sponsor today!
The Claude Bailey Memorial Golf Tournament Sponsorship opportunity
Retailer vs. Rep Volleyball Tournament
The GhFA is proud to bring you this longstanding tradition that continues to be played out on the volleyball courts of convention sites near and far. Get ready for the battle of our industry as it returns to the coastline of the beautiful Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday, June 9th at 3:00 PM (immediately following the Claude Bailey Memorial Golf Tournament.)
Please call Valori Harris, GhFA Executive Director, for more information 678.407.1131.
About the Resort
Nature embodies all that is Amelia Island Plantation. Nestled among centuries-old Live Oaks, the majestic maritime forest, tranquil salt marshes and the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean; our resort community exemplifies environmental sensitivity and the luxury of a leisure lifestyle.
Meticulously preserved since 1971, Amelia Island Plantation set the standard for development “In Harmony With Nature.” Years before their time, the master developers of this coastal paradise included Charles Fraser and the Sea Pines Company of Hilton Head, South Carolina and Ian McHarg of the firm Wallace, McHarg, Roberts and Todd. Together they set upon a mission to find the optimum fit between man’s habitat and the existing natural environment, including animal life and plant ecology on this fragile barrier island in Northeast Florida. The result was a master plan to protect tidal marshes, conserve oceanfront dunes, grassland and savannahs. An unprecedented 40-foot wide strip of natural vegetation was added as a buffer to all waterways allowing them to remain a wildlife refuge, travel corridors and food sources.
In order to protect these standards, covenants were put into place that the resort company and property owners would have to adhere to in order to build and live within this magnificent setting. Each building, courtyard, terrace or boardwalk is placed with the natural environment in mind, making sure that each structure is set within nature’s arms instead of distracting from it. The philosophy that each entity on the resort “embraces its site and becomes one with it” is still the mission and the reason Amelia Island Plantation has remained the pristine environment that it is.
Amelia encourages guests of the property to take advantage of the natural environment we hold so dear. A wide variety of guided environmental tours with staff naturalists gives a hands-on experience to all ages.
Throughout your stay, we hope that you enjoy all the amenities Amelia has to offer, including the bountiful nature of Florida's Premier Island Resort. Amelia Island Plantation is Florida's premier AAA-Four Diamond destination island resort in perfect harmony with nature. Located on Amelia Island, Florida, just 29 miles north of Jacksonville International airport (JAX), the 1350 acre property overlooks the blue water of the Atlantic on the east and the green marshland and Intracoastal Waterway on the west.
At the beautiful Amelia Island Plantation, the recreational pursuits are as legendary as the hospitality. The island's extensive network of paved walking/biking paths allows resort guests to be easily connected to many of the Plantation's shopping, historical sites and points of interests. Amelia Island is famed for its mild year-round weather that encourages boating, fishing, sightseeing, water sports and exploration. Amelia Island Plantation offers the best in Georgia recreation including:
Miles of beautiful Atlantic Ocean beaches
Beach chair and umbrella rentals
Miles of paved cycling and walking paths; bike rentals on-site
Eco Tours, Kayak trips, dolphin cruises and bird watching
Recreational rentals in close proximity to the Resort, just ask the Concierge for assistance:
Sailboat
Kayak
Jet Ski
Wind Surfing
Boating
Rod and Reels
Novelty Buggies & Carts
Complimentary Exercise Facility
Located in the shady oaks of Racquet Park, the facility is fully equipped with state of the art Life Fitness treadmills, crosstrainers, stair climbers, upright and recumbent bikes, and strength machines as well as Cybex weight equipment and free weights. All cardio equipment is equipped with an 11-inch LCD monitor which allows you to enjoy watching television while you work-out. Headphones are required to hear the TV and can either be purchased at the Health & Fitness Center or you may bring your own. Both the men’s and women’s locker rooms boast steam rooms, saunas, whirlpools, sparkling clean showers and are fully stocked with towels and amenities.
Enjoy year-round swimming in our 20-yard heated indoor lap pool including family swim time scheduled daily. Also located in the same vicinity is a co-ed whirlpool. A variety of high-impact, low-impact and aqua aerobic classes are scheduled throughout the week. Improve muscle tone for golf and tennis with specialized personal training. Increase your fitness level to enjoy long walks and bike rides around the island and reduce your guilt for dining so decadently on the delicacies of our world-famous chefs.
Important things to know!
Shirts and shoes required at all times
No sandals allowed
Must be 16 years of age to workout
Family Swim: Noon to 5 daily
No diapers of any kind in lap pool (including swim diapers), children must be potty trained and supervised at all times
back to More Annual Convention Information
Thank you to the following firm for their Gold Leaf support of the Georgia home Furnishings Association's 56th Annual Convention
Learn how to place the spotlight on your firm during the 2010 Annual Convention. Click here to go to our Sponsorship Opportunities.
P.O. Box 825 ● Grayson, Georgia 30017
Phone (678) 407-1131 ● Fax (678) 407-1132
