2015 COA Convention
The Broward Shell Club cordially invites you to the 2015 Conchologists of America Convention next summer from July 14th through July 18th, 2015 and our entire club is excited about having the opportunity to present a wonderful South Florida week exploring the area, talking shells and meeting with good friends. Our 2015 COA logo, Gala in the Glades, was created/designed by Browa
rd club members, Mary Bukstell and Rex Stilwill. The logo incorporates both the COA and Broward Shell Club logos, enclosed by two Everglades alligators as the sun sets over the Everglades’ River of Grass. The beautiful Bonaventure Resort and Spa in Weston, Florida, located on the edge of the Florida Everglades, will host our week of events. Located on tropical 23 acres, the Bonaventure Resort, winner of the AAA Four Diamond Award, has a 48,000 square foot full-service spa, a fitness center, three pools, a nature trail, two championship golf courses and the Weston Tennis Center is located nearby. The Bonaventure is part of Benchmark Resorts & Hotels International family of industry-leading resorts and conference centers. The Bonaventure Resort has 98 deluxe/ standards, 120 deluxe doubles and 122 deluxe kings, 88 suites/parlors. Complimentary self-parking, internet access as well as free use of the 24-hour fitness center are included. Deluxe room rates are $129, Executive Double rooms are $159, a one-bedroom suite is $179 and a two-bedroom suite is $209. Rates are valid three days before and after the convention in case you’d like to plan additional South Florida activities. Please reserve your room before June 11th to assure convention rates. Reservations are now open using an internet link which you can access on our Broward Club COA website, 2015COAConvention.com or the COA website. Additionally, our 2015coaconvention.com website will have a blog area where COA members can post if they are looking for a roommate. Please see the guestroom descriptions below:
Deluxe King (400 sq. ft.) – One king bed with down pillows and soft sheeting, a cozy arm chair, work desk with two chairs, LCD TV and deluxe marble bath with walk-in shower, tub and bidet. Deluxe Double (400 sq. ft.) – Two full-size beds with down pillows and plush bedding, work desk with two chairs, LCD TV and luxurious marble bath with walk-in shower, tub and bidet. Executive Double (500 sq. ft.) – Two full-size beds, sitting area with LCD TV, work desk with two chairs, kitchenette with stovetop and refrigerator and marble bath with walk-in shower and bidet. One Bedroom Suite (900 sq. ft.) – Deluxe accommodations including one king bedroom, living area with queen sofa bed, kitchenette, dining area for four, work desk and luxurious bath with walk-in shower and bidet.
2 Bedroom Suite (1300 sq. ft.) - One Bedroom Suite connecting to a Deluxe Double This suite includes one king bedroom, living area with queen sofa bed, kitchenette, dining area for four, work desk and luxurious bath with walk-in shower and bidet; connecting to a bedroom with two full-size beds with down pillows and plush bedding, work desk with two chairs and luxurious marble bath with walk-in shower, tub and bidet. There are four dining establishments on-site at the resort: Ireland’s Steakhouse, a prestigious AAA Four Diamond rated steakhouse, Banyan’s, a three meal restaurant offering a wide selection of entrees for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Cabana Café & Grill, a true Floridian poolside experience, serving both cocktails and dining, and Bar Zen, a gathering place for Happy Hour with a full menu/open until 1am. With 80,000 sq ft of indoor meeting space and outdoor event space options, the Bonaventure Resort & Spa is Fort Lauderdale's 2nd largest conference center. There are 60,000 square feet of meeting space, all newly renovated. The Global Ballroom, where the Bourse will be held, is over 10,000 square feet. The convention programs, oral auction, Everglades Welcome Party and the Gala in the Glades Banquet will be held in the Grand Ballroom. The Broward Shell Club has worked diligently to offer you a full range of exciting activities at the 2015 COA including seventeen interesting and varied educational programs, a fabulous oral auction will feature a Liguus collection containing 49 color forms valued at over $1,000 and our silent auction will be second to none. An Everglades Welcome Party, a Gala in the Glades banquet, exciting raffle items featuring a huge Florida Horse Conch/Busycon duo, door prizes and field trips will complete the week. And please look for our special sale of Florida shells as well as beautiful craftwork by our club shell crafters at the Broward Shell Club morning sales tables. We are currently accepting donations for the Oral Auction and Silent Auction for next year’s convention. Please send your 2015 COA Oral and Silent Auction donations to John Chesler, or message me for contact information . And thanks in advance to those COA members and dealers for your donations for next year’s COA. Tentative field trips include four days of pre and post-convention events including; a snorkeling trip to Peanut Island, one of the best snorkeling sites in South Florida, also includes a tour of the Palm Beach Maritime Museum and the Historic John F. Kennedy Bunker; a day dive trip off the Palm Beach coast; Flamingo Gardens; NOVA Southeastern University Oceanographic Center; a sea turtle release; a Jungle Queen dinner cruise and some very exciting Everglades trips. One Everglades adventure includes an airboat ride and an opportunity to get close to alligators, Florida Panthers and other Everglades wildlife. We have planned a special Everglades Eco Tour taking lucky participants on a walking tour into the Everglades to view wildlife and many species of Liguus (pending permit). Participants will receive an educational information booklet including a wildlife ID guide. The Eco Tour is NOT a collecting trip. Full details for each field trip will be posted on our new website by mid-January. We will update and confirm information on a continuing basis right up until COA next July. If you are planning on signing up for one of our shelling trips, please remember that the State of Florida requires you to have a Florida Fishing License to collect shells. Members over the age of 65 are not required to purchase a Florida Fishing License. You may purchase your Florida Fishing License at www.myfwc.com. The Bourse will open on Friday, July 17 from 1-8pm and on Saturday, July 18th 9am-3pm in the Global Ballroom. There are many activities you can explore on your own in South Florida including various concert arenas, shopping and dining malls close by and two Seminole Indian Casinos. The beautiful Fort Lauderdale beach is a 30-minute drive away. One destination, Sawgrass Mills, is located five miles from the Bonaventure Resort. Sawgrass Mills is the largest outlet and value-retail shopping destination in the United States with more than 350 stores. Please check our website for links to many of the interesting destinations in the South Florida area.
2015 COA information and registration forms can be found on-line on the Conchologists of America website by mid January. Additionally, our webmaster, Tracy Dale, will be updating information and tips on our 2015COAConvention.com website so please periodically check for new information and updates. Also, please Friend us on Facebook. Our page will be regularly posting new information. Your 2015 Co-Chairpersons, Nancy Galdo and Linda Sunderland, and the entire Broward Shell Club membership is looking forward to hosting you next summer at the 2015 COA. We sincerely hope you will join us for what will surely be a memorable shell week at the Bonaventure Resort in Weston, FL for a Gala in the Glades.
