Special Events & Meetings
Annual Business Meeting & Awards Luncheon
Monday, January 30 | 11:00 AM
Join SSPC President Bob McMurdy, the Board of Governors and SSPC Executive Director Bill Shoup, as we honor the 2012 award recipients. Among the 2012 Structure Awards to be presented are: The William Johnson Award for outstanding achievement demonstrating aesthetic merit in industrial coatings work, the E. Crone Knoy Award that recognizes outstanding achievement in commercial coatings work, the Charles G. Munger Award for outstanding industrial or commercial project demonstrating longevity of the original coating and the George Campbell Award that recognizes a single outstanding achievement in the completion of a difficult or complex industrial coatings project.
Also to be awarded: Honorary Life Member, Outstanding Publication Award, JPCL Editors’ Award, the Coatings Education Award and the Technical Achievement Award. For more information on the awards contact Terry Sowers (Structure Awards) or Karen Cheng (other awards) at SSPC: 412-281-2331.
Welcome Reception
Monday, January 30 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Welcome back to Tampa! Join old friends, meet new people and kick off the conference at the Welcome Reception, sponsored by Carboline. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, buffet and a beverage or two. Members of the SSPC Board, the staff and your friends, colleagues and business acquaintances await you. SSPC and Carboline are giving away an iPad at the reception. You must be present to win!
Exhibit Hall Reception
Tuesday, January 31 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
We plan to open the SSPC 2012 Exhibit with a bang—food, drinks, and most importantly, all of the suppliers you need to see. At 5:00 PM on Tuesday the doors will open to the only trade show in the industry that is 100% focused on Protective, Marine and Industrial coatings.
General Session & Keynote Address
Tuesday, January 31 | 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Guest Speaker: Marlin Fitzwater
Election Madness
Marlin Fitzwater stood next to two Presidents during cold war summits, economic downturns, and eight military conflicts. He gave over 850 press briefings in six years, winning praise for his celebrated wit, intelligence, and ability to clarify the issues. Today he is an author, lecturer and humorist whose presidential anecdotes, political analysis, and television commentary make him a world-wide celebrity. His unprecedented tenure gives him unparalleled insight into the way the press and the presidency collide. Personable, funny and down-to-earth, Mr. Fitzwater provides a unique insight into the White House and Washington with wit and humor. Few are better qualified to comment on Washington politics than the legendary Mr. Fitzwater. Join us Tuesday at 8:00 AM as he presents Election Madness at the General Session and Keynote Address.
Lunch with the Exhibitors
Wednesday & Thursday | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Complimentary Lunch in Exhibit Hall. Check your registration packet for your tickets and enjoy lunch with the exhibitors.
Exhibit Hall Closing
Thursday, February 2 | 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
One last toast for our excellent exhibitors. Join us in the hall for snacks, goodies and beverages as we bring the 2012 Exhibit to a close.
SSPC 2012 Closing Party
Thursday, February 2 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
As we close our week in Tampa, we begin looking toward SSPC 2013 on the Riverwalk in San Antonio. Get information on SSPC 2013 and the city of San Antonio at our Fiesta. Gather with old friends, new friends, SSPC Board Members and close out the week in a festive atmosphere!
Guest Tours
Lunch & Winery Tour
Tuesday, January 31 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Departing from the Tampa Convention Center at noon, the tour begins with transportation to CRAVE for lunch. CRAVE offers fresh innovative cuisine brought to life in a chic yet casual atmosphere.
Menu
Seasonal Soup
Entrée Selections
- Shaved Steak Melt (Pepper, onions, smoked cheddar, sourdough, natural fries)
- Roasted Chicken & Penne (Roasted red pepper, kalamata, goat cheese, romesco sauce)
- Atlantic Salmon Salad (Spring mix & spinach, candied walnuts, apples, bleu cheese, cider walnut vinaigrette)
Dessert: Vanilla Cheesecake
Soft drinks, coffee or tea
The day continues with transportation to Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards.
Lakeridge Winery & Vineyard opened its doors in February 1989 in Clermont, Florida, and sits on a 127-acre estate in gently rolling countryside some 25 miles west of downtown Orlando. This area was once the center of the State's grape industry. After years of phenomenal growth, Lakeridge ranks as Florida's largest premium winery, and remains a pioneer in the development of table and sparkling wines from native Muscadine grapes. Vintage-dated varietals from hybrids such as Stover and Blanc Du Bois are produced and marketed also.
PRICE: $80.00 per person
Dolphin & Manatee Encounters
Wednesday, February 1 | 9:00am – 1:00pm
Wednesday’s tour will depart from the Tampa Convention Center at 9:00am. This fascinating educational adventure showcases the unique Eco-systems & wildlife on the Banana River. The Banana River, part of The Indian River Lagoon system, contains over 5000 species of plants and animals and most are endangered. The tour begins with an easy nature walk along the Lori Wilson ocean dune hammock, followed by a transfer to cruise the smooth, inland waters aboard a shallow-draft 55-passenger pontoon boat. Bottle Nose Dolphins feed and swim around the boat as the possibility of seeing endangered Manatees loams. More of these unique marine mammals live in these waters than in any other area. Water wildlife abounds. Cameras are a necessity!
This is an easy, guided and narrated tour. The pontoon boat is completely covered; it has inclement weather side curtains, and a surround sound speaker system. The nature trail is a wooden boardwalk. Guests will be treated to a soft drink as they cruise.
PRICE: $85.00 per person