Indianapolis on fast track for ABPA in 2010

HOUSTON--"We have no problem," at least as it pertains to the site selection for the late April, 2010, annual convention--ABPA's 30th.

Accompanied by President Dolores Richardson, who also wears the hat of convention chairperson, and accompanied by staff members Stan and Myrna Rodman, the ABPA contingent used the days of Thursday and Friday, June 18 and 19, to visit several Indianapolis properties.

One in particular, the Marriott North, has been designated as the hotel of choice.

All the facilities had expressed interest in hosting the annual convention, scheduled for April 28-May 1, 2010, in Indiana's capital city and all of which had been initially screened by Bruce Highberg of the Helms Briscoe staff.

Highberg is the hotel rep who has been working with ABPA on convention site selection since the turn of the new century and, as a resident of Carmel, In., he was in an especially advantageous position to recommend hotels which best fit the association's requirements.

Said ABPA Executive Director Rodman, "I can honestly say these people want our business and in the more than 40 years I have participated in this site selection ritual, I have never been accorded the first class treatment which we received from the hotels we visited.

"Heck, at one, the Marriott North, there must have been a dozen members of the hotel staff, including the general manager, lined up in front of the main entranceway to greet our car as we drove up.

"It was damn near embarrassing; spectators must have thought we were some visiting personnel from an Arabian potentate--they have lots of money--or a stimulus team from the government, armed with cash. It was enough to make us blush.

"Our entrance at the other four facilities was less conspicuous," said Rodman, and they included The Renaissance Indianapolis North on Meridian Street in Carmel, the Sheraton at Keystone Crossing, the practically next door Marriott Indianapolis North, Indianapolis Marriott East and The Holiday Inn North at the Pyramids. (Note, the Pyramids is a complex of three buildings, the architecture of which resembles that of the Luxor Resort in Las Vegas, hence the name).

By process of elimination, the Renaissance and the Marriott North were the two top candidates.

They are both Marriott properties. But, ironically, the Marriott North is practically a clone of the Charlotte Hilton University Place. It is a beautiful hotel which sits on a lake. All of our registrants would be given lakefront rooms.

Its position at Keystone Crossing in the North has it next to a major shopping center and a number of side streets on which sit very good restaurants, such as PF Chang's and Benihana, and there is even a walk path around the entire lake for those who want to get their exercise.

Said Rodman, "Here is the best part. They have offered us a $99.00 room rate. Presently, and for a number of reasons, we lean towards this facility although the Renaissance is a newer property. It, however, sits in an office complex and major shopping is three miles away. As to room rates, all of the hotels came in with competitive bids, some dropping by as much as $20.00 per day to secure our business.

In the early part of July, Highberg was away with his family on vacation, but when he got back, he proceeded to go over some points of clarification before a contract is to be signed.

Prior to departing Indianapolis on Friday afternoon, the committee has the opportunity to tour the Indianapolis Speedway facility.
For this visit, they worked with Mary Geiss, tour coordinator at the Hall of Fame Museum.

Said Richardson, "By now, it was a little before noon and we thought this would be a 30-45 minute visit at best. It lasted four hours total."

That's because while there, Mary contacted Jeff Greenspan at the Brickyard Crossing Golf Resort. They handle the catering for the track events. After touring the Speedway facility by taking the 15 minute tour bus ride, then looking through the museum and taking some time to ferret through the expansive gift shop--there are two--by then, it was already 1:30 p.m.

The trio headed over to the golf clubhouse to meet Jeff Greenspan. He outlined what he could do that Friday evening by way of food and drink, and the cost. It was all doable.
Those several hours spent at the track were more than worthwhile. The ABPA committee secured a great off-premise event.

And by personally meeting the people with whom they will be working, they have negated the need for going back to Indianapolis in October to batten down the program.
Said Rodman, "I have full faith in the personnel we met from the Marriott North that we can do this long-distance, keeping in mind that if there is an on-site problem area, we always have Bruce on which to rely.

He added, "I do not see us needing his service in this area especially considering that the Marriott North staff has won on a number of occasions "best in the business" as rewarded by the Marriott chain. That's right, the Marriott North is the number one rated staff among all of the Marriott properties in the United States.

Said Rodman, "It is another reason we leaned towards this facility. Also, as Bruce is a golfer, he is in a good position to recommend those courses which we would want to consider for our tournament."

Great visit in all. Great trip in all. And all under the subject, Convention 2010 site and activity.