View upcoming annual conventions here.
70th Annual Convention – San Diego
San Diego, California was the location of the 70th Annual Convention, on September 20th-23rd. This year’s convention was hosted at the beautiful Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. The theme for the convention was “Staying Relevant in Changing Times”.
Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina 
333 West Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
The centerpiece of the inspiring San Diego Bay, San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina is a premier San Diego, CA hotel. The San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina offers a prime waterfront “parking spot” with the amenities of a luxurious hotel. The Marina District in San Diego is ideally located in the heart of downtown adjacent to Seaport Village and the San Diego Convention Center. A short walk will take members to Horton Plaza and the Gaslamp District. The Marina at San Diego Marriott Marquis offers boat rental options, and fully catered guest parties with live entertainment.
69th Annual Convention – Orlando
2013 GAWDA Annual Convention – September 15 – 18, 2013
JW MARRIOTT ORLANDO GRANDE LAKES
4040 CENTRAL FLORIDA PARKWAY
ORLANDO, FL 32837
Phone: 1-407-206-2300
Fax: 1-407-206-2301
Toll-free: 1-800-576-5750
68th Annual Convention Summary – Colorado Springs
Over 750 GAWDA Members converged in the Colorado mountains this past week, “Positioned for Peak Performance.” The 2012 GAWDA Annual Convention program boasted dynamic speakers and valuable networking opportunities; all set against the scenic backdrop of Colorado Springs.
Brent Grover, Founder of Evergreen Consulting, LLC, opened the Speaker line-up with the “Search for Perfect Customer”, followed by Bill Taylor, Founding Editor of Fast Company, discussing how to transform your company and yourself. The final day, during the closing session, Dick Couch, CEO and Chairman of the Board for Hypertherm gave a unique look into his company’s early beginnings, while James Murphy, AKA “Murph”, applied Air Force tactics to everyday business models in his energetic presentation “Leading Flawless Execution from the Top.”
The past year was reviewed during the annual “Since last we Met” presentation and Presidential Awards of Excellence were given to John M. Stropki, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. and Dave Irving, 52-year GAWDA Life Insurance Consultant.
All in all the Convention was a great success!
To re-live all of these great memories, click events below to see their photo galleries.
First Timer’s and President’s Reception
Opening Business Session
Past Presidents
Wine and Cheese Reception
Contact Booth Event
Golf
Spouse Program
Closing Business Session
President’s Farewell Gala
Next year, the Convention will be held September 15 – 18, 2013 at the JW Marriott in Orlando, FL. We look forward to seeing you all there!
67th Annual Convention Summary – New York
“The GAWDA 67th Annual Convention was a tremendous success, with record-breaking numbers in attendance and GAWDA Gives Back alike. Over 900 attendees joined GAWDA in New York for events and networking during this year’s Convention. Bryan Keen was inducted as the 2011 – 2012 GAWDA President; along with his new slate of Officers. Ned Pontious from Norco, joins the Board as First Vice President, with Eric Bliss, Mark Raimy, and Andy Thornton joining as First-Term Vice Presidents. Dynamic Speakers filled out the Business Sessions with their inspirational and poignant addresses and GAWDA Gives Back reached $202,750 in final donations. The amount was split between the two charities – The FDNY Fire Family Transport and the Pencil Fellowship – and presented during the Opening Business Session. All in all, the Convention was a memorable! Relive some of your favorite moments through pictures, now available online.
66th Annual Convention Summary – Hawaii
GAWDA’s 66th Annual Convention was a huge success! October 3-5, over 700 GAWDA Members enjoyed meetings, special events and networking opportunities as well Hawaii’s beauty, poolside, at the Grand Wailea Resort.