ABTA's Motto:  "To help those who teach bridge to do it better -
more effectively - more knowledgeably - more professionally."

JOIN FELLOW BRIDGE TEACHERS IN WASHINGTON DC!

Our Seminar & Convention will be in Washington DC this year
starting July 21. Our Seminar starts on Tuesday afternoon July 21
and ends at noon on Wednesday. 
All bridge teachers are invited to register: signup form here

The Convention starts Wednesday afternoon July 22 and
ends on July 24 at noon. We are in the process of lining up speakers
 and will mail registration packets in March or April.

We will meet at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel at
2660 Woodley Road, NW Washington, DC 20008

Please make your reservations through Mega Housing Management to get the cheaper bridge rates by calling 877-350-2479 or by fax at 866-445- 6704. You can also go to their website at: www.megahousing.com/acbl

You should make your reservations now if you want to stay in the host hotel—it will sell out! The Marriott Wardman Park Hotel is also where the Summer Nationals will take place.

New ABTA members and Seminar/Convention attendees please see below.
Returning ABTA members click here to jump to our meeting schedule.

We also welcome you to see our ABTA
Spring 2009 Quarterly magazine
pages 27-30 for more information
(New 5/15/2009)

ª Experience an All New Program
ª Up-date with Dynamic New Topics
ª Hear From the Very Best in our Business
ª See the Newest and Best Books and Products
ª Pose Your Questions to an Amazing Expert Panel
ª You Won’t Believe Who We’ve Been Able to Line Up
ª Some for the Very First Time!

Lynn Berg © Shannon Cappelletti © Curtis Cheek
Larry Cohen © Fred Gitelman © Audrey Grant
Jerry Helms © George Jacobs © Julian Laderman
David Lindop © Jacob Morgan © John Rayner
and
© Eric Rodwell
to Name Just a Few!

¨ Class Control
¨ Multi-Level Material
¨ Teaching in Small Towns
¨ Dealing With Problem Students
¨ How You Can Become a Master Teacher
¨ Expanding Your Program to Other Organizations
¨ 52 Ways for Teachers to Use Computers to Help Teach Bridge
¨ Build Your Business with ACBL’s New Youth Program
¨ Can Your Students Pass “The Front Porch Test”?
¨ Powerful Marketing and Advertising Tips
¨ Writing for the ABTA Magazine
¨ Teaching 2/1 Game Force
and so much more!!

§ Apple Basket Contest § Camaraderie
§ Valuable Networking
§ Goodie Bags § Free Continental Breakfasts
§ Gala Banquet

ABTA WASHINGTON DC SCHEDULE 

ABTA SEMINAR JULY 21-22, 2009

Tuesday July 21

Presenter — Chuck Hodel

If you are new to the ABTA or have been an ABTA member, but have never attended our meetings, you are invited to join us Tuesday, July 21, 2009, for lunch.  Before the Seminar begins, at 1:00 pm, the new-member/new attendee luncheon will be held in a small room at Harry’s Pub, on the first floor of the Marriott Wardman Hotel.

At this cash luncheon, officers of the ABTA will answer your questions, introduce you to other teachers new to the organization, and review the agenda for the Seminar and the Convention immediately following.  We will help make your time in Washington D.C. both enjoyable and memorable.

There are 2 entrée choices available:  grilled chicken pannini sandwich with French fries or a grilled mozzarella and red pepper pannini sandwich with potato chips.  There will be cupcakes for dessert, along with coffee, tea or iced tea.  The cost is $25.00/person and your check may be sent in advance of the luncheon to Joyce Penn.  Please indicate your choice of entrée.

There is a limit of 40 persons who can attend, so place your reservation early by calling or emailing Joyce (614.451.8680) jpenn@columbus.rr.com.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 New Member/New Attendee Luncheon

____Yes, I wish to attend the luncheon on Tuesday, July 21, 2009.  Enclosed is my check for $25.00.

Name:____________________________

Address:_____________________ City/St/Zip:____________________

Telephone:______________Email:______________________________

Mail to Joyce @ 2800 Squires Ridge, Columbus, OH 43220-6201
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Presenter — Chuck Hodel (Updated June 25th) Older schedule

1:00    Registration—Deborah Murphy

1:10    Welcome—Nancy Abbott, Your 52^nd Host

1:15   EBDyer,  What I learned from Bridge Players on Cruise Ships!

 1:45   Kathie MacNab, Small Town Bridge Teacher          

2:15    BREAK

2:30    Betty Starzec, Master Teacher Program

3:00    Marian Howarth and Marie Dahl, Teaching Bridge in the 21^ST Century

3:30    BREAK

3:45    Julian Laderman, Squeezes Demystified

4:45   Announcements

5:00    PreConvention Board Meeting
 

7:30 to 9:30 52 Ways to Modernize your Bridge Teaching with Computers :  Interactive Demonstrations

            (Some of these 52 ways may include playing bridge either face-to-face or computer-to-computer.  We are hoping to provide some optional bridge software demos, but networking of the person to person kind will be featured.)

Wednesday Morning July 22 (Updated June 25th) Older schedule

Presenter — Chuck Hodel

8:00    Coffee, Tea & Fruit — Quiz Show: 52 Questions

9:00-12:00     Audrey Grant
   52 Letters Spells:  STEAM Ahead: Consider Safety - Timing -Energy - Attitude - Material

NOON           Announcements and Lunch

ABTA CONVENTION JULY 22, 23 2009
 

Wednesday Afternoon, July 22, 2009 (New 6/19/2009 per Denise Hoffman)

Teacher Activity Wednesday Night (July 22) By Nancy Abbott, Virginia,
2009 ABTA Convention Hostess

The alternative activity is a short walk to the National Zoo to see pandas, Siberian Tigers and lots of other fascinating animals. The admission is free and dinner will be with your friends in one of the neighborhood restaurants which are many and have varied cuisines. A short walk back to the hotel and bridge tables will be set up in our conference room for conversation and cards. Event cancelled as of July 13th - closed on July 22nd.

Thursday July 23, 2009 (New 6/19/2009 per Denise Hoffman)
 

1:26 pm    52 Tips to Becoming a Better Bridge Player – Barry Harper
 

Friday Morning, July 24, 2009 (New 6/19/2009 per Denise Hoffman)

7:30      Board Meeting...

8:08 am      52 Minutes for Continental Breakfast (Coffee, Tea and fruit)
 

Speakers and times are tentative.  Some schedule changes may occur.

HOTELS:  Please make your reservations through Mega Housing Management to get the cheaper bridge rates by calling 877-350-2479 or by fax at 866-445-6704. You can also go to their website at www.megahousing.com/acbl

The Fall 2009 Quarterly magazine is scheduled to be mailed in June with detailed information regarding our ABTA conference and seminar agenda.

Please check the label of your recent Quarterly magazine to see if your dues have expired. You still have time to renew your membership. Dues in US Funds: $35 for one year; $90 for 3 years; or $49 per year for a household membership. Canadian members may pay in Canadian funds by sending: $42 per year; 3 years for $112; or $58 per year for a household membership. ABTA offers this option as a convenience and fees may be higher than the conversion rate indicates due to US bank fees. Your check or money order should be made out to ABTA and mailed to: Deborah Murphy 1254 26th Avenue San Francisco, CA 94122-1505

Prospective members - please see our signup form here.

AIRPORTS: ...
 

 ENTERTAINMENT: ...

 BECOME A MASTER TEACHER:  If you are not already an ABTA Master Teacher, fulfill the requirements at this year's Convention.  New Master Teachers will be honored at our Convention Banquet.  In order to apply for the title of ABTA Master Teacher, you must fulfill the following requirements:

• 3 years of continuous ABTA membership
• 100 or more hours of professional bridge teaching experience
• Attendance at an ABTA Seminar and Convention
• Personal interview with Membership Credentials Committee on ...

Please refer to our Master Teacher program for key dates, submission deadlines and
illustrative hands. 

This year's deadline for you to submit your candidacy by June 1st. Contact Pat Harrington via email at:

MrsBridge@embarqmail.com

Pat Harrington 14840 Crystal Cove Court #503 Fort Myers, FL 33919

Phone: 239-437-4106

BOARD MEMBERS – MEETINGS AND MASTER TEACHER INTERVIEW SCHEDULE: Officers, Committee Heads, and Board Members should plan on meeting on ... We will meet for an informal dinner early  with the hope of discussing agenda items to expedite our regular meetings. All interested Board members are invited. Membership Credential Committee members should be available for TBD interviews. Specific meeting information will be e-mailed to you closer to the Convention dates.

APPLEBASKET TIPS – ENTER TO WIN OUR CRYSTAL APPLE (updated 5/15/2009)

Applebasket Contest Entries Due July 15th By Ginny Schuett, Illinois

If you plan to submit an entry for our Applebasket Contest, this will be a great way for all of us to increase our collections of great teaching tips. The deadline for submitting your Applebasket Contest entry is July 15th.

Please email your submissions in MSWord to Ginny at jgschuett2@comcast.net or snail mail your entry directly to Ginny by sending your hard copy of the entry to:
Ginny Schuett
1071 Oakhurst Lane
Riverwoods, IL 60015-2515

VENDORS:  Any member wishing to sell or display bridge products (for a single manufacturer o product line only) is asked to notify Deborah Murphy by TBD.  All vendors are required to register for the Convention and pay the regular registration fee. Space may be limited so tables can only be guaranteed for those who reserve in advance.
 

NEED A ROOMMATE?  Experience has shown that it’s better for our members to arrange for their own roommates.  If you need help finding a roommate, try posting your request on our ABTA message board.  If you are not a message board participant, contact Maggie Sparrow (msparrow@csolve.net) to join.

Also see the ACBL Website - The North American Bridge Championship begins after our ABTA Conference