2008 Special Events

IBM Retail User Group 2008 Conference Special Events Special events have been planned for this year's conference. Arrangements have been made for a Golf Outing, a tour of Kennedy Space Center and a Banquet with special entertainment hosted by IBM. Please read the detailed event descriptions on this page and follow special instructions for registering for these events. Early registration will be important when considering participation in these special events. 2008 IBM Retail User Group Golf Event Sponsored by: ExpressPoint and Spencer Technologies ExpressPoint and Spencer Technologies invite you to play in the annual IBM Retail User Group Golf Outing on Sunday, May 18, 2008, at Grande Pines Golf Club. Renowned golf course architect Steve Smyers has designed one of Central Florida ’s most dynamic new golf courses. With credits including three mainstays on GolfWeek’s 100 Greatest Modern Courses list, Smyers, together with player consultant Nick Faldo, has created a thinking person’s golf course. From its lakes and tall pines, through its oaks and palms to its Tif Eagle greens, the features and contours at Grande Pines make shot selection as important a consideration as any other aspect of your game. With each magnificent hole at Marriott’s Grande Pines Golf Club, the decision is yours. The more conservative player can always take the safer route. The bolder competitor can challenge the hazards and obstacles and be greatly rewarded. The contoured, rolling fairways will accept most tee shots, and the well-bunkered, multi-tiered greens will reward accuracy on approach shots. Enjoy a morning of golf and networking with other Retail, IBM and IBM Business Partner executives. The outing format will be a four-player shotgun and will begin at 7:30 am sharp. The day will commence with registration at 6:30 am and we will wrap things up around 2:00 pm . A box lunch and transportation to and from the hotel is included. There is NO cost for Retailers. Associate Members and guests will be asked to pay $115 per participant. Club rental is $59.00 p/associate player if required. If you would like to participate, please complete the golf registration form. Please note: Space is limited and registrations must be received by April 17, 2008. After April 17th, registration will be subject to availability. Register online or download and fill out the Golf Registration form (MS Word file). Kennedy Space Center Tour Sponsored by  “Worlds apart from Orlando ’s theme parks, the Kennedy Space Center is NASA’s launch headquarters.” Your exploration of Kennedy Space Center starts with one of their world-renowned bus tours where you see many NASA landmarks, including the massive launch pads, the gigantic Vehicle Assembly Building , the awe-inspiring Apollo/Saturn V Center and the International Space Station Center. There is also much to see and do at the Visitor Complex, from live action theatrical shows to an educational Astronaut Encounter briefing. View 10-story high rockets from all eras of space exploration in the Rocket Garden, walk through a full-size Space Shuttle mock-up, enjoy IMAX Theater space films on gigantic five-story screens and see an actual Gemini program capsule on display. Shopping and food concessions are also available here for your enjoyment. The tour is set up for 25 people, on Sunday, May 18, 2008 . The tour is free, including lunch to retail members. Associate members, spouses, and guests may register at a cost of $93.00 per person. Boarding time is 15 minutes prior to scheduled departing time. The bus departs from the Renaissance Orlando Resort at Seaworld at 9:00 am and will return at 4:00 pm. Register online or download and fill out the Tour Registration form (MS Word file). Banquet Special Entertainment Jon Stetson Knows what you’re thinking. The mind, mirth and mystery of Jon Stetson have made him a Most Valuable Player at thousands of world-class events. Jon is a third-generation entertainer whose intelligent, interactive approach to entertaining places him on an exclusive list of corporate America ’s most sought-after performers. If he looks familiar, it may be from one of his many Television appearances. He has performed in 23 countries. Has been invited to the “White House” on five occasions. This internationally acclaimed mind reading comedian will make you laugh, make you think, make you feel like an awe-struck kid. The “Stetson Experience” explores the real mysteries of the human mind. You can call Jon an “intuitionist.” He observes people’s patterns and steps inside their heads. He amazes them with information they didn’t even know about themselves. The result is powerful, provocative, thrilling and new. Better still, it’s funny. Jon’s stand-up comedy covers a core of mystery in an uproarious wrapper of fun. The mind, mirth and mystery of Jon Stetson have made him a spell-binding act at thousands of world-class events. Jon is a third-generation entertainer whose intelligent, interactive approach to entertaining places him on an exclusive list of corporate America's most sought-after performers. To book Jon Stetson for your event contact Yvon at Keynote Resource Ph:805-966-6465 http://www.keynoteresource.com/JonStetson.html Meal Tickets Tickets can be purchased for spouses or guests who would like to attend the banquet or lunches. Tickets can be purchased at the User Group registration desk during the conference.