January 8, 2009
TO: TSA Chapter Advisors
FROM: Ben Scheierman, TSA State Advisor
RE: 2009 TSA State Leadership Conference
Date, Time, and Place - The State TSA Leadership Conference will be held at the Bessemer Civic Center,
Bessemer, Alabama on March 24 - 25, 200. Registration will be done online as we have done in the past and
must be completed by March 13, 2009.
Who May Attend - Chapter members must be affiliated with National TSA to register and attend the state
meeting. Nametags which include student numbers will be provided and must be worn throughout the day.
Nametags will be checked as members enter each session.
Registration - Each person attending the meeting must pay a registration fee of $25 for cost of materials,
facilities, awards, state pins, and insurance. There will be no lunches available this year. The deadline date
for registration is March 13, 2009. There will be no onsite registration. The registration fee must be paid in
advance and mailed along with the registration invoice to: Ben Scheierman, Career/Technical Education, P.O.
Box 302101, Montgomery, AL 36130-2101. Make check payable to ALABAMA TSA. It is necessary that
chapters be pre-registered in keeping with the deadline of March 13, 2009 in order that packets and contest
supplies may be assembled in a timely fashion. In order to receive a refund, chapters must submit a written
refund request before March 13, 2009. After this date no refunds will be made. To register go to
http://www.registermychapter.com in the left hand menu bar select “log in”, then click on “TSA State”, then click
on “Alabama”. Contact me at 334-242-9569 if you do not remember or need your log in information.
Lunch - We will not be able to offer lunches at the meeting this year. I will try and schedule in adequate time for
you to take your students to a local restaurant in Bessemer, or secure food to bring back to contestants not able
to leave the site if they are involved in a contest. The name of some of the food establishments in the area are
listed in this e-mail.
Voting Delegates - Chapters must assign a voting delegate(s) to cast votes for the State Executive Council
election. The number of voting delegates is determined by the number of paid members within the chapter in
the current year.
Qualifications of Officer Candidates - Qualifications and applications for Officer Candidates have been e-
mailed to you. You are encouraged to review the materials with your members before making the decision to
run for an office.
Recognition - The following awards will be presented on stage to individual members, chapters, and advisers
during the first general session this year to shorten the awards program on the second day: Honor Society,
Achievement Awards, Membership Awards, and Executive Council Recognition.
Dress Code - The State Leadership Conference is an excellent opportunity for members to convey to others the
positive, professional image of TSA. TSA official dress is always appropriate and STRONGLY encouraged.
Appropriate dress includes black shoes, gray slacks, white dress shirts, red ties, and a navy blue jacket for
males; black shoes, gray skirts, or dress pants, white blouse, red tie or scarf, and navy blue jackets for females.
Jeans, shorts, and T-shirts are not appropriate attire. Night wear (pajamas) should not be worn outside of your
hotel room. Shoes should be worn at all times. Advisers, please enforce the dress policy. Appropriate dress is
a reflection on your school and of the state association; therefore, it is very important to show that our members
are leaders.
Code of Conduct – You have been e-mailed a copy of the “Alabama TSA Code of Conduct” the Executive
Council encourage you to read these rules to members and chaperones who attend the state meeting. You may
distribute copies of the rules to your members and have both member and parent(s) sign the code. You retain
the copies and bring them with you to the conference. These rules will be enforced. Please, advise all in
attendance to turn off cell phones and pagers during general sessions.
Lodging - A listing of motels is provided in this e-mail. You will be responsible for making your own
reservations. You should make reservations as early as possible. NOTE: Ask for a government or school rate
when making reservations this will often save you a few dollars per room.
Parking - Parking will be available in the Bessemer Civic Center parking lot for vehicles transporting persons to
the state meeting. Bus parking is provided in the upper parking lot.
In Case of Emergency – Parents can contact the Bessemer Civic Center during the day by calling (205) 424-
7469.
Directions for TSA State Meeting
Bessemer Civic Center
1130 Ninth Avenue SW (Hwy 11)
Bessemer
Driving North on I-65
At exit 250, turn RIGHT onto Ramp
Take Ramp (LEFT) onto I-459 drive approximately 15 miles
Take Ramp (RIGHT) onto I-20 E [I-59 N]
At exit 108, turn RIGHT onto Ramp
Turn RIGHT (South-East) onto US-11
Turn LEFT (North) onto US-11 [SR-5]
Civic Center is on the left
Driving West on I-459
At exit 108, turn RIGHT onto Ramp
Turn RIGHT (South-East) onto US-11
Turn LEFT (North) onto US-11
Civic Center is on the left
Driving East on I-20 I-59
At exit 108, turn RIGHT onto Ramp
Turn RIGHT (South-East) onto US-11
Turn LEFT (North) onto US-11 [SR-5]
Civic Center is on the left
Driving South on I-65
At exit 261B, take Ramp (RIGHT) onto I-20 [I-59] drive approximately 16 miles
At exit 108, turn RIGHT onto Ramp
Turn LEFT (South-East) onto US-11
Turn LEFT (North) onto US-11
Civic Center is on the left
Motels
Bessemer Address Phone Number
Holiday Inn Express 5001 Academy Lane 205-424-2600 or
888-465-4329
Jameson Inn 5021 Academy Lane 205-428-3194 or
800-526-3766
Best Western Hotel & Suites 5041 Academy Lane 205-481-1950 or
877-741-3232
Comfort Inn 5051 Academy Lane 205-428-3999 or
800-228-5150
Hampton Inn 4910 Civic Lane 205-425-2010 or
800-426-7866
Fairfield Inn 4980 Academy Court 205-277-1700
Country Inn and Suites 4985 Academy Court 205-481-0007
Homewood Area
Hilton Garden Inn 520 Wildwood Circle North 205-314-0274
Drury Hotel 160 State Farm Parkway 205-940-9500
LaQuinta Inn & Suites 60 State Farm Parkway 205-209-0150
Best Western Carlton Suites Hotel 140 State Farm Parkway 205-940-9990
Courtyard By Marriott 500 Shades Creek 205-879-0400
Parkway
Embassy Suites Hotel 2300 Woodcrest Place 205-879-7400
Hampton Inn 2731 U.S. Hwy 280, 205-870-7822
Mountain Brook
Residence Inn by Marriott 50 State Farm Parkway 205-943-0044
StudioPlus 40 State Farm Parkway 205-290-0102
Galleria Area
The Wynfrey 1000 Riverchase Galleria 205-987-1600
Courtyard by Marriott 1824 Montgomery 205-988-5000
Highway South
Comfort Inn 1485 Montgomery Hwy 205-823-4300
Hampton Inn 1466 Montgomery Hwy 205-822-2224
*Look at other hotel options by going to the Internet. Ask for a
government rate.
Restaurants within a mile of the Bessemer Civic Center:
Applebee’s
Burger King
Cracker Barrel
Domino’s Pizza
Golden Rule Bar B Que
Little Caesar’s Pizza
McDonalds
Milo’s
Ruby Tuesdays
Sante Fe Cattle Co.
Sonic
TacRoom (Steakhouse)
Waffle House
Wendy’s
Zaxby’s