You may also make your hotel reservation by calling
1
(877) 509-8400.
The deadline to register and to make your hotel reservation is
August 20, 2019.
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You are invited to attend the GFA’s Fall 2019 Meeting, which will feature a special celebration of the GFA's 40th anniversary!
One of the most valuable membership benefits is the opportunity to attend the GFA’s semi-annual meetings for priceless networking opportunities. While there, you are immersed in productive conversations with like-minded people, easy-going suppliers, and industry experts, and you’re welcomed into a safety zone where you can connect, learn, solve problems, and have fun doing it.
If you want access to top quality fabricators and suppliers, there is no better way than attending a GFA meeting. With meeting highlights, including the Supplier Expo, roundtable discussions, presentations, and, of course, plenty of networking opportunities, attending GFA meetings is a must.
To commemorate the GFA’s 40th anniversary, a photo will be taken of all attendees during the dinner reception on Tuesday evening. We hope that you will join us to mark this special occasion.
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Program Highlights!
Presentations are open to all attendees, including spouses and guests.
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Special Presentation - Tuesday, September 24th at 2:00pm
The Plan is the Gasket
Jed Dunn
Newport Board Group LLC
Succession plans make for great companies, great teams, great outcomes. Learn how intentional succession planning creates value for all stakeholders.
Ownership transition in a privately owned business applies pressure to the current state – and even more to the future state. The gap between these states (the before and after) must hold under that pressure – if value is to be transferred. The gap is filled by what is known as The Succession Plan.
Jed Dunn – a Partner with the Newport Board Group – will apply insights and lessons from the practice of Succession Planning in ways that are specific (and perhaps unique) to the Gasket Fabricating Industry. Jed will speak from the various points of view that have a stake in a company. He will help make clear that Succession Planning is also highly correlated with building business performance.
Jed has spoken on Succession Planning at numerous conferences including industry associations, investment banking, wealth management, and Chief Executive Officer forums. He was CEO of two companies before becoming a Partner with the Newport Board Group where he focuses on capital readiness and strategy.
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Keynote Presentation - Wednesday, September 25th at 8:45am
LEADING AT 90
o
BELOW ZERO: Finding, Engaging and Keeping Great People
Antarctic Mike (Mike Pierce)
Leadership and Sales Speaker and Author
Leading at 90
o
Below Zero will showcase proven principles that will increase your ability to effectively find, engage and keep the best people for your team. You will walk away from this program with specific action items that you can take back to your place of business and implement right away.
As an avid polar history fan and a two-time polar marathoner, Mike uses stories from Antarctic history, as well as his own personal adventures there, to showcase the points of the program. He will specifically focus on the leadership of Ernest Shackleton, who in 1914 led 28 men on what is considered one of the greatest undertakings and leadership stories in recorded history, when the men were stranded in Antarctica for two years.
Shackleton was a master leader, getting the 28 men to trust him and want to do what was necessary despite conditions and circumstances that were beyond terrible. This includes how to thrive under conditions of adversity, sudden and unexpected change, conflict resolution, engaging team members, and facing obstacles beyond one's control. It’s no different than how business teams today must be led by people who know how to lead effectively and can get the people on the team to trust them and do what is necessary, despite being surrounded by constantly changing and challenging circumstances.
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Welcome Breakfast and Orientation
Tuesday morning will begin with a Welcome Breakfast and Orientation, open to all meeting attendees, to kick off a day of committee meetings and discussion sessions. New members and first-time attendees, along with their spouses, are encouraged to attend this orientation for a brief overview of the GFA, and for a chance to meet a few people before the general meeting. This session will also include a brief discussion of activity options for the next meeting.
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CEO Luncheon
On Tuesday, we will again have a CEO Luncheon Meeting, featuring a roundtable discussion of items that would be of interest to CEOs.
Attendance will be limited to CEOs and senior officers with P/L responsibility.
A maximum of two people per member company may attend, provided that they both meet the provisions. There is a
$55 per person fee
in addition to the meeting registration fee to attend this session.
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Fabricator Forum
Enjoy an opportunity to discuss the issues that are of specific interest to Fabricators and that are most relevant to you and your company with your peers in the industry. Pre-registration for the Tuesday afternoon session is required, but there is no additional fee. Attendance will be limited to Fabricator members of the GFA.
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Breakfast Roundtable Discussion
On Wednesday morning, participate in a lively discussion of timely and relevant topics with other GFA members, and learn what they are doing to address the issues that are keeping them up at night. All attendees, including spouses and guests, are welcome!
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Registration Fees
Member Registration Fee:
$510 per person
Reduced Member Registration Fee:
$275 per person
To be eligible for this rate, at least 2 other representatives from your company must be paying the full fee.
Spouse Registration Fee:
$225 per person
Spouses who are full-time employees of GFA member companies must pay the full member registration fee.
Table Top Fee:
$200
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The Lansdowne Resort and Spa
is located approximately 8 miles (15-minute drive) from Washington Dulles International Airport, and 33 miles (45-minute drive) from downtown Washington, DC.
Address
:
44050 Woodridge Pkwy.
Leesburg, Virginia 20176
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With four restaurants, four outdoor pools, a fully equipped fitness center, a plethora of hiking/biking trails, and daily resort activities, the Lansdowne Resort and Spa's amenities are meant to immerse you in the most authentic Virginia experiences possible.
The resort is located in Loudoun County, Virginia, which has been designated as one of the 10 Best Wine Travel Destinations by
Wine Enthusiast Magazine
, and just a few miles from downtown Leesburg, a place where the Colonial period to the Civil War era meets the modern advancements of today. It is within a half-hour drive of several Northern Virginia attractions, including more than 30 local wineries, Civil War battlefields, historical landmarks, national parks, the Potomac River, and quality outlet shopping. The Blue Ridge Mountains grace the landscape to the west, and Washington, DC, with all its sights and historic monuments, is less than an hour away to the east.
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Lansdowne Resort and Spa features in-room amenities that offer the latest online technology and conveniences. The spacious marble-accented bathrooms feature plush, absorbent towels and quality bath products.
Our room rate is $249 plus state and local taxes per night.
The check-in time is 4:00pm and the check-out time is 11:00am.
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Spa & Fitness Center
Experience the luxurious services offered at Spa Minérale, including the Minéraleluxe Caviar and Rose Facial, a Minérale Botanical Renewal Experience, Magnesium Wellness Massage, and a variety of other massages and body treatments.
Day Spa Hours
Sunday–Thursday:
9:00am – 7:00pm
Friday–Saturday:
9:00am – 8:00pm
The fitness center features cardiovascular equipment, weight and strength training equipment, group fitness classes, personal training, an outdoor basketball court, and much more.
Fitness Center Hours
Monday–Sunday:
5:30am – 9:00pm
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The Aquatic Complex
The Aquatic Complex at the Lansdowne Resort and Spa offers five pools, a waterslide, sunny relaxation, and delicious refreshments.
Children can enjoy playing water games in the "walk-in" active pool or taking a ride down the waterslide.
Attendees can unwind in the hot tub or just soak in the sunshine while lounging at the adults-only pool.
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Hiking and Biking Trails
With 476 acres on property, there are plenty of great places nearby to explore, hike, and bike during your stay.
The Potomac Heritage Trail offers amazing views of the Potomac River from the bluffs high above or The Loudoun trail, part of a series of Northern Virginia trails that connect the region. You can run, hike or walk along the river and cross historic points of interest like Ball's Bluff, a famous Civil War battle site.
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Golf Tournament
Thursday, September 26th
at 9:00am
The Golf Tournament will begin at 9:00am on Thursday, September 26th on the Norman Course, which is onsite at the resort.
Designed by the legendary Greg Norman, the "Great White Shark," the Norman Course incorporates the natural undulations of the Potomac River Valley, meandering along the Potomac River. The rolling landscape of the 7,332-yard par-72 golf course winds through a mature hardwood forest and along rock outcroppings.
Golf Magazine named the Norman Course one of the "Top 10 New Courses You Can Play" in 2005, and it remains one of the "Top 20 Greg Norman Courses You Can Play."
Cost Per Person: $115*
Club Rental: $65*
*The golf fees are non-refundable as of September 12, 2019.
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DC Whirlwind Tour
Thursday, September 26th at 8:00am
We have organized a whirlwind tour of Washington, DC on Thursday, September 26th beginning at 8:00am. This 5-hour excursion will allow you to experience history come to life as you visit some of the city’s most beloved sites.
Tour stops include the Library of Congress, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and the White House. The tour bus will also drive by the National Mall, Capitol Building, Washington Monument, and the Jefferson Memorial. The itinerary requires a high level of walking.
Attendees will return to the Lansdowne Resort and Spa by 1:00pm.
Cost Per Person: $140*
*The tour fee is non-refundable as of September 12, 2019
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CEO Luncheon:
$55 per person*
Golf Tournament:
$115 per person*
Golf Club Rental:
$65 per person*
DC Whirlwind Tour:
$140 per person*
*The activity fees are non-refundable as of September 12, 2019.
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The spouse registration fee includes admission to all sessions unless otherwise noted on the program. This includes all general sessions and presentations, continental breakfasts, lunches, and all cocktail receptions. Please note that spouses who are full-time employees of GFA member companies must pay the full member registration fee.
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All the committees will meet from 10:00am to 11:30am on Tuesday, September 24th. All attendees are welcome!
The Communications Committee
considers enhancements to the GFA’s website, newsletter, social media program, and other tools to promote the GFA and deliver information to members.
The Membership Committee
develops and implements initiatives for the recruitment of new members, reviews and recommends for approval the applications of potential members, and encourages participation in GFA activities.
The Program and Locations Committee
selects future meeting programs, speakers, and locations for the GFA’s semi-annual meetings.
The Technical Committee
develops technical content of interest to GFA members for delivery through webinars, newsletter articles, meeting programs, and the GFA’s Technical Handbook.
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Hotel Parking:
The hotel offers valet parking at a rate of $15 per night. There is no charge for self-parking.
Hotel Shuttle:
The hotel provides a paid shuttle service through BBC Express for arriving and departing flights at Dulles International Airport (IAD). The cost is
$35.00 per person
each way and
reservations for the shuttle are required a minimum of 24 hours in advance.
You can make your reservation
online
.
Taxi:
Taxi services are available at the hotel and airport. The estimated cost from Dulles International Airport to the Lansdowne Resort and Spa is approximately $35-$50, depending on traffic.
Uber/Lyft:
The ride-sharing apps, Uber and Lyft, are available for local transportation, and can be downloaded to your smart device via the app store on IOS and Android products.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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May I go to the meetings?
Meetings are open to all attendees except as noted on the schedule.
Please note that Manufacturer Representatives are NOT permitted to attend any GFA functions.
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What is the proper attire?
For all committee meetings and general sessions, the attire is casual. The cocktail receptions are informal.
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What will the weather be like?
The daytime temperature in Leesburg is expected to average about 78°F.
Evening temperatures are expected to average about 60°F.
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If you have any questions, please contact Pete Lance or James Wolfington in the GFA office at 610-971-4850 or
info@gasketfab.com
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