NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR -- The Arkansas Vending Council will gather industry members for a update on legislative and regulatory developments facing the industry, networking and family fun recreation. Its annual membership meeting and convention is set for May 17 and 18 here at the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel.
Here's what's on tap for Thursday, May 17:
12 noon-2 p.m. » AVC board member meeting.
5 p.m. » Group gathers in hotel lobby before walk to Dickey Stephens Park. Arkansas Travelers will host Springfield Cardinals in Minor League game.
6:10 p.m.- 8:10 p.m. » Barbecue at the Baggage Room picnic area, located along the pathway the ball players use when they take the field.
On Friday, May 18:
8 a.m. » Breakfast buffet followed by AVC business meeting and elections.
11 a.m.- 12 noon » Panel discussion
AVC lobbyist Camie Boggess of DBH Management will give an overview of the 2012 budget session and the political climate facing the Arkansas vending industry on Friday morning. Sheree Edwards, NAMA's southern regional legislative director, will present an update on legislative developments in Washington, DC.
Keynoting the meeting is Phil Elson, director of broadcasting and media relations for the Arkansas Travelers Baseball Club (“The Travs”). He will share his professional experiences. Elson joined The Travs before the 2001 season as the first full-time home-and-road broadcaster in the team’s history. The sportscaster also calls radio play-by-play for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Trojans women's and men's basketball teams along with Henderson State University football and is a professional voice-over actor. Elson was voted the 2009 Arkansas Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.
The convention registration fee is $75 a person; the baseball outing costs an additional $20. Registration is due April 26. Contact the NAMA Southern office at (678) 916-3852.
Room reservations can be made by calling the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel at (501) 371-9000 by April 26 to receive the AVC rate of $89.95.
