2008 National Paperhanger’s Convention & Tradeshow
Asheville, NC
September 17-20, 2008

Go for the Green in Asheville

Hotel
Getting There
Convention
Certified Paperhanger Program
Schedule
General Information
Topics and Speakers
Tradeshow
Optional Tour and Dinner
Registration
Contact Us

HOTEL

Hotel:  Crowne Plaza Resort
Address: 1Resort Drive, Asheville, NC, 28806
Telephone: (800) 333-211)

Room Rate: $129.00 single/double occupancy for a Traditional Room

* See below for notification to those requesting smoking rooms.

HOTEL

Nestled against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this resort, complete with an 18 hole golf course,is truly a sanctuary and welcome retreat from the busy world. The resort greets its visitors with stone walls, rich hardwood accents, and comfortable furnishings.

Guest Room and Hotel Amenities  

The Crowne Plaza’s 309 deluxe guest rooms, suites and vacation villas feature top-of-the-line-linens and complimentary high-speed wireless internet service. There is on-site golf, tennis, swimming and soccer. There is a fitness center and access to a nearby health club. The Crowne Plaza also has free parking.

Other amenities include:

• In-Room Movies
• Room Service until 10:00p.m.
• Coffee Maker
• A refrigerator
• Private Balcony or Patio
• Iron/Ironing Board
• Hairdryer
• Wake-up calls
• Complimentary newspaper

All scheduled educational events will take place at the Crowne Plaza  Should you need to send packages to the hotel, include your name, arrival date and the words “hotel guest” on the mailing label.

All reservations should be made directly with the Crowne Plaza to ensure availability and rate.  Reservations by telephone at (8007333211) will be accepted.  If calling, ask for the National Guild of Professional Paperhanger’s rate. The group’s room block will be released on August 17, 2008.  All reservations received after this date will be reserved on a space available basis at the group rate.  NGPP’s preferred room rate is $129.00 per room per night plus tax for single/double occupancy for a traditional style room.  The group rate has been extended three days pre and three days post the event for those wishing to spend a few days in Asheville.

Please note the Crowne Plaza is a non-smoking facility.  You may smoke on your balcony or patio, as long as the door to your room is closed.

GETTING THERE

Asheville Airport

The Crowne Plaza is located 11 miles from the airport. Hotel transportation to and from the airport can be arranged at $10 per person each way. Transportation must be arranged 48 hours in advance for airport pick-up.

Asheville is located at the intersection of I-26 and I-240 in Western North Carolina.

Driving Directions

From I—26 West or I-40 East: Follow signs for I-240 to Asheville. Once on I-240 stay in left lane and take exit 3A (Hwy 19/23-Patton Avneue). Turn right at the second light onto Regent Park Boulevard. The Crowne Plaza Resort entrance is ¼ mile on the left.

From I-26 East or I-40 West: Follow signs for I-240 West in Asheville. Once on I-240, stay in the right lane as you cross the Frech Broad River Bridge out of downtown and take exit 3B (Wesgate/Resort Drive). The Crowne Plaza Resort entrance is 1/8 mile on the right.

Asheville  Attractions

• Abundant hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and skiing
• Only  one mile from downtown near unique shops, restaurants, pubs, galleries
• Renowned Biltmore Estate, Winery and Gardens
• Scenic Blue Ridge Parkway
• Trolley Tours
• Great Smokey Mountains National Park
• Healing mineral baths at the historic Hot Springs Spa
• Flat Rock Playhouse
• Chimney Rock Park and Lake Lure

What to Wear
Days are usually mild and evenings cool.

CONVENTION

Come and enjoy the seminars, the food, the entertainment, the demonstrations and most of all, the unlimited networking opportunities with professionals like yourself.  The “Green” theme is a popular one these days and we jumped on the mountain aura as well as what green represents in today’s economy and environment.

Asheville events

• Town Hall Meetings
• HandsOn! Demonstrations
• Components of adhesives
• High End Application
• Winning Walls With Wallcovering Luncheon
• Tradeshow with Solutions and Ideas
• Raffles
• Priceless Networking
  

CERTIFIED PAPERHANGER PROGRAM

You have worked hard to become a professional paperhanger.  Now is the time to demonstrate and validate your qualifications by earning the Certified Paperhanger (C.P.) designation.

The NGPP has established a national certification program for members of the wallcovering installation industry.  The purpose of this program is two-fold: to help consumers determine the qualifications of contractors and to permit members of the profession to demonstrate that their knowledge meet or exceed the industry’s highest standards.

By achieving C.P. status, you let your peers and customers know you are qualified by education and experience to work as a professional wallcovering installer and that you have satisfactorily demonstrated your knowledge and skill in a rigorous program that permits only the true professional to earn that coveted C.P. designation.

If you are interested in taking the Certified Paperhanger examination in Asheville on Tuesday, September 16 at 6:00 p.m., you must complete the certification application process at least six weeks prior to the date of the exam.  For an application or further information, call NGPP’s National Office at (800) 254-NGPP (6477).

SCHEDULE

All events will take place at the Crowne Plaza Resort, except for the optional tour and dinner Saturday at the Biltmore Estate.

 GENERAL CONVENTION INFORMATION

Following is information you do not want to overlook.  Should you have questions, contact a member of the Guild’s National Office staff at (800) 254- NGPP or by emailing NGPP.

Registration

Installer registration fees cover all convention sessions, materials, breaks and scheduled food functions,. Optional events are not included. 

Don’t forget that there is a Participation Points Program. A member can earn points toward $50 off registration for the convention as well as a free convention tee shirt. Just go to the member’s only section on the website and complete the necessary form. If you do not have access to a computer, you may call National. If you register early and have not accumulated the necessary points, credit will be given if the points are earned by August 31st

Registrants must wear name badges at all times for admission to the various events.

There are one-day fees, second person from the same company fees and guest fees available.  The one-day fees include all events on the day registered. Fees for the second person from the same company include the same items as the installer registration fees. Guest fees include the Wednesday evening tradeshow,  the welcome reception, the Winning Walls With Wallcovering luncheon on Thursday, and the  awards luncheon on Friday. Guest fees do not include the breakfasts, sessions, or the optional activities. 

Please note there are discounted fees for early registration.

*Members registering after July 15 will not be eligible to use participation points
Optional Biltmore tour (includes winery and house tour, transportation, dinner)  $100 each
Saturday afternoon ( NGPP will be supplementing the actual cost)

Registration Desk
Tuesday, September 16
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 17
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 18
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.    
Friday, September 19   
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Payment
All registrations must be accompanied by payment in the form of a check, credit card (VISA or MasterCard only) or bank transfer of funds.  Checks must be drawn in U.S. funds and made payable to NGPP.  Registrations cannot be processed without full payment or participation in the 3-payment installment plan. 

For those on a budget, there is a convenient 3-payment installment plan.  Fees will be divided by three and payments will be charged to your credit card monthly, with the final payment made on or before the 1st of September, 2008.

Confirmation
Each registrant should check for confirmation of registration.  This confirmation will serve as a receipt of fees paid.  Badges and materials will be available at registration.

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations received before August 15, 2008 will warrant a refund less a $50 administration fee. There will be no refunds after August 15, 2008. All cancellations must be in writing. Any registrants with a death in the immediate family or faced with complications from a natural disaster will receive a credit voucher for the next year’s convention. Convention materials will be sent to registrants who do not receive a refund.

Special Assistance
NGPP’s staff will be happy to assist you with any special needs.  If you require special assistance, please notify NGPP in writing prior to September 1, 2008, so that your needs can be properly accommodated. If you are on a special diet, advanced accommodations with the hotel thru staff must be made.

Hotel
All scheduled educational events will take place at the The Crowne Plaza Resort, 1Resort Drive, Asheville, NC, 28806..  You can reach the hotel at 828) 254.3211. You should mention the National Guild of Professional Paperhangers when making reservations. Should you need to send packages to the hotel, include your name, arrival date and the words "hotel guest" on the mailing label.

The group's room block will be released on August 17, 2008.  All reservations received after this date will be reserved on a space availability basis at the group rate. 

NGPP's preferred room rate is $129 per room per night plus tax for single or double occupancy.  The group rate has been extended three days pre and three days post the event for those wishing to spend a few days in Asheville, based on availability of rooms at the time of reservation. Be sure you ask about the hotel’s cancellation policy when making your reservations.

Resources for your learning experience!
Each full convention registrant will receive one copy of all session handouts during educational sessions.  Certificates of attendance will be issued within two weeks of the convention’s conclusion.

Attire
Convention participants should wear casual attire throughout the event. Please be sure to bring a sweater or light jacket as meeting room temperatures tend to vary.

TOPICS AND SPEAKERS

Convention Features
Come prepared with business cards, questions, ideas, and ready to review and use new products and various industry services.  There will be information galore. Industry vendors are anxious to show and discuss their new products, unveil a few never before seen ones, answer questions about their services, and develop long-lasting relationships. 

Opening  Tradeshow & Reception
This year we will have the tradeshow as the opening event, a great chance to mingle and network with manufacturers of products installers use daily.

Breakfast
Breakfast will also include the annual business meeting- a time to meet your board of directors and see what is happening in the Guild.

Winning Walls With Wallcovering Luncheon
Again this year, The Zinsser Company, is sponsoring this annual NGPP awards program.  Winners of the Winning Walls With Wallcovering Contest will be announced and recognized during this event. There will be cash prizes, great national media recognition and all the excitement of a Hollywood gala for award recipients in three categories.  For more information about the WWWW contest, visit www.ngpp.org. If you entered the contest,please dress for pictures.You may be a winner. Also, if you are not a winner, you are eligible for a drawing for a free registration to next year’s convention in Asheville, NC.

Table Top Demonstrations
Participants will have a chance to be up close and personal to approximately 22 HandsOn! demonstrations on topics specifically designed to enhance one’s paperhanging skills. Gather around a table and speak one-on-one with experts. An insert will be provided with topics and presenters.

Awards LuncheonThis is the time to recognize those members who have worked to build the Guild into the organization you can be proud to be a part of.

TRADESHOW

The tradeshow will open on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and reopen Thursday morning, September 18 at 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.. We are anticipating a lot of new vendors and new products to make this event one of the highlights of the show.

OPTIONAL TOUR AND DINNER

The official convention program will end Saturday morning, but we have a wonderful optional tour for those who wish to visit the Biltmore Estate. The Biltmore is the most visited house in the US with over 1.5 million visitors a year. Open trolley buses will pick up guests beginning at 2:00p.m. and drop off at The Winery. Here one can sample wines and visit the wonderful gift shop. After the winery comes the tour of the estate itself with the gardens and shops. Dinner will be at the Stable Café, located adjacent to the Biltmore House. This beautiful restaurant originally housed George Vanderbilt’s horses and carriages. The seating is in the original stalls…a truly unique experience.

REGISTRATION

	By Mail Mail your registration form(s) with payment to:         NGPP         136 South Keowee Street         Dayton, Ohio 45402
	By Telephone or Fax Call or fax your registration with payment information to:          NGPP         (800) 254-NGPP (6477)         Fax: (937) 222-5794
	By Internet To register online click here.

GOT QUESTIONS?

NGPP
136 South Keowee Street
Dayton, OH 45402
(800) 254-NGPP
Fax: (937) 222-5794
ngpp@ngpp.org