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Welcome to the 2009 GSS Racquet Stringers Symposium information
page. We will be meeting once again at the beautiful Regal
Sun Resort, an official Disney World Hotel located within
walking distance to Downtown Disney in beautiful Orlando,
Florida. The dates for the symposium are October 10th -
14th.
The symposium cost is $495 per person and this one time
fee will allow you to attend ALL symposium
seminars over the course of 3 days. For a complete listing
of seminar dates and times please go HERE.
We have terrific group
rates at our host hotel, the Regal Sun Resort for symposium
attendees of $95 per night.
The Regal Sun is an offical Walt Disney World hotel so you'll
have easy access to transportation right at the front lobby
to all of the most popular Disney attractions and theme
parks.
What's new for 2009? We aksed previous attendees for their
feedback and based on their responses we've made some significant
changes, many of which are listed below. The world-wide
stringing community now has an event of their very own.
The opportunity now exists to come together as a unified
body to network, share ideas, and learn from some of the
brightest and most creative minds in the industry. The event
is growing and getting better and better each year and 2009
is showing potential to be the very best so far!.
Changes for 2009 include:
* New registration types for 2009 that provide more discounts
* A fourth day has been added specifically for USRSA certification
testing
* New room upgrades and pricing for 2009 with our host facility,
the Regal Sun Resort
* More time for lunch from---a full 1 1/2 hours to give
you time to relax and enjoy your meal
* Longer sessions to allow more time for presentations and
Q&A time
* Round table discussion groups and a speed stringing contest
have been added
* We have added new seminars including: a session on understanding
and stringing polyester with John Elliot, marketing with
Bob Patterson, customer service with Tim Strawn, and using
the USRSA online tools with Dave Bone.
You
can see the complete schedule by going HERE
You
can register for the symposium by going
HERE
To
book your hotel reservations you must go
HERE
GROUP RATES: If you have groups of 3 or
more from the same business please contact Tim Strawn on
540-772-4418 or email at crazydiamond23@cox.net to make
arrangements for special group rates.
GSS attendees will enjoy low group rates of just $95 per
night plus lower resort fees from the Regal Sun
Resort, and our group rates will be honored prior to and
following our symposium dates. All rooms in our room block
are in the main tower, a major upgrade from the 2008 symposium!
Come to Orlando and enjoy the symposium and while you're
there why not spend some time being a kid again! GSS attendees
can get special group rates on tickets to the Disney theme
parks and since our host facility is an official WDW hotel
you can catch a free shuttle to all fo the major theme parks
right at the front door. You can book your hotel reservations
on line by going HERE
and you can use the link below to pre-book your theme park
tickets. Come learn from some of the best professional racquet
technicians and industry professionals in the world and
enjoy one of the most popular vacation destinations at the
same time! For complete information on the amenities offered
by our host facility, the Regal Sun Resort, please click
HERE.
GSS attendees also get special group rates on tickets to
the Disney parks if you go HERE.
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What
do past attendees of the GSS Racquet Stringers Symposium
have to say?
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David Yamane
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2008 attendee from Winston-Salem, North Carolina
says "I’m sure I’m not the
only attendee who has thought about whether I can
benefit enough from attending an event like this
annually to offset the cost. But regardless of the
program, one of the primary benefits of attending
ANY annual conference is to network – professionally
and socially – with people who are important
in your line of work. In my “regular”
job, every August I attend a five day conference
that offers hundreds of sessions. I attend very
few of them, actually. I spend most of my time in
formal and informal meetings with colleagues, and
at the trade show. I think, for me at least, this
will be a significant aspect of the GSS Symposium
annually. Stringing is a science, art/craft, and
business, so to have the opportunity to talk informally
to people who are involved in stringing –
the presenters, the vendors, but most importantly
the other attendees – was great. I was able
to get new ideas from and compare practices with
others who do what I do (string at home and for
a tennis team), as well as people who have their
own shops, string at clubs, string at other retail
stores, etc. It’s hard to put a price tag
on that, but to me it is extremely valuable."
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Jeremy Plumley
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2007 attendee from Bethesda Maryland has seen an
increase in stringing revenues since attending the
2007 event. "The event was very professionally
organized and run, on par or better with USPTA divisional
seminars I have been to. The information that I
learned from the seminar leaders and fellow attendees
has almost doubled the stringing revenue at my club
in the first year! After returning from the symposium
I had a huge database of information to share with
the staff and members, especially in regards to
customization and the benefits of natural gut. Through
the sharing of that information we as a staff are
much better informed in the areas of stringing and
customization. Steve Tidball, the Director
of Tennis at Jeremy's club had this to
say "In 2007 our stringing business more
than doubled with a majority of that growth happening
after Jeremy returned from the symposium. Most impressive
was the increase in the number of natural gut string
jobs! In my opinion your stringers symposium really
gave Jeremy the learning tools and confidence to
take our stringing business from a member courtesy,
to a professional, and very profitable aspect of
our facility. We now have several non-members who
choose to have Jeremy string their racquets rather
than take them to their club’s stringer. We
look forward to next year to see where our business
can go from here.
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Charmagne Fraser
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2007 & 2008 attendee of Virginia Beach Virginia
says she wouldn't miss it! “The racquet
stringing symposium was two days filled with information
crucial to anyone running a stringing business whether
it be large or small. If anyone is thinking of starting
a new stringing business, it would be crazy for
them not to spend two or three days soaking up valuable
knowledge from the best in the business. I will
definitely attend again in 2008. Wouldn't miss it!"
John Fraser, Director of Tennis at
Charmagne's club was very pleased
with their club's investment "I wanted
to let you know how much my stringing business has
improved over the last year. W hen Charmagne returned
from the stringing symposium, she had a lot of new
techniques not only with regard to stringing but
repair and general maintenance. We had no idea we
were just scratching the surface of the stringing
world. We have been experimenting with customization
and have had rave reviews. When customers question
my staff about strings, we feel so much more knowledgeable
about hybrids, natural guts and new items on the
market. I can not say enough about how the money
spent was well worth it and how much more professional
we look to our customers".
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Carmine Grimaldi
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2008 attendee of Wayne, Pennsylvania "After
about a month and a half of being back home, I'm
realizing day after day in my shop, all of the benefits
that came along after attending the 2008 Symposium.
Tim and his crew did an amazing job at organizing
and putting together such a wonderful event. Starting
from the location, which I really enjoyed with my
daughter, the meet and greet, the seminars, the
USRSA tests, the vendors' show, to the last chat
that we had in the hotel hall before leaving, everything
was just perfect. In particular, I would like to
thank all the seminar leaders for their professional
way of teaching, their availability in answering
all the questions, and their way of making us feel
relaxed, even knowing that they're the best in this
industry."
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John Elliot |
2008
vendor from Paris France "For
a stringer who enjoys his job, the GSS Symposium
would have to be the greatest place to meet and
share experiences with many other stringers who
share this passion. The atmosphere, the feeling,
the diversity and friendliness of this community
was almost unbelievable. Personally I
didn't imagine that there were so many string geeks
in the world, I thought there were a few around,
but 60 of them in the same place was simply awesome.
It was amazing to see so many people just happy
to be there, all convinced that they were really
privileged to be part of the "happy few".
This is an unforgettable event, a highlight on my
calendar for 2009" John will join the
GSS staff as a seminar leader at the 2009 symposium!
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Helaine Vrana |
2008
attendee of Framingham, Massachussetts "Not
only was the venue great--all under one roof, but
having the opportunity to meet fellow stringers
from around the world was a wonderful experience.
In this industry it can be difficult to exchange
ideas as well as other forms of networking, and
so having the chance to meet and speak with stringers
who have strung on the pro tour as well as stringers
who have been in business for years was an exciting
opportunity, and one that has increased my profits.".
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To view more comments about the GSS symposiums you
can visit the message forums on the GSS web site
by clicking HERE
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General business statistics show that businesses
fail for many reasons. Often times, new businesses
invest huge amounts of money into rent and inventory
yet they fail to make the single
most important investment of all--an investment
in themselves. Ask yourself this question.
What is it that separates me from my competition?
The training and information offered at the GSS
symposium can give you a decided advantage and the
edge your business needs to succeed. Your competition
will wonder what you're doing that makes your business
so successful! The GSS Racquet Stringers Symposium
is unique because it's the only
event of it's kind that has a specific focus on
the racquet stringer/technician and shop owner.
Whether your goal is to improve your technical skills
behind a stringing machine or the customizing table,
or to improve the overall bottom line of your business,
the GSS symposium can give you the skills to help
you reach those goals.
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MARKET
YOUR WAY TO NEW PROFITS
with Bob Patterson......Whether you operate a home
stringing business, a large full-service tennis store
or something in-between, this seminar will help you
increase your revenue flow through creative marketing.
Industry veteran, Bob Patterson will present basic
marketing principles and show participants how to
adapt and apply them to specific business models.
The tennis business is a niche market and requires
a unique marketing approach to be successful. New
and existing businesses will both benefit from this
insightful seminar.
SPEED STRINGING CONTEST
This was one of the most requested additions to the
symposium by previous attendees so we've added it
for 2009! If you think you're one of the fastest out
there here's your chance to find out. We'll have the
first round elimination heat on Saturday night, the
second on Sunday and the finals on Monday.
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION
GROUPS
Our 2008 attendees spoke and we listened. The 2009
symposium will offer 2 separate discussion groups,
one each on Sunday and Monday evening. Often times
during the day sessions there's just not a lot of
time for group discussion so the round table times
will allow everyone more time with other attendees
and seminar leaders to discuss the days sessions and
to interact in a group format.
USING THE USRSA
ONLINE TOOLS
with Dave Bone, Executive Director of the USRSA.........The
USRSA has a wide variety of online tools available
to help members wtih all aspects of racquet service.
Join Dave as he takes you through the paces and shows
you how to use their racquet selector, string selector,
racquet customizer, racquet optimizer, and the stringers
digest search function. USRSA members can take advantage
of these free tools and if you're thinking about joing
the USRSA and wondering what the benefits are here's
your chance to learn first hand from the director
of the organization.
CUSTOMER SERVICE-KEYS
TO SUCCESS
with GSS Symposium director Tim Strawn..........Great
customer service has become a lost art in today's
fast paced consumer society and that can make you
a winner! Surprised? You shouldn't be. How often have
you heard or read about the importance of separating
yourself form the pack by doing something extraordinary
or providing something that your competitors can't?
Well here's you chance. Join Tim as he takes you on
a journey through the lost art of customer service
and see why those that still practice this lost art
continue to keep their customers and gain new ones
year after year.
EXPOSING THE
SECRETS OF POLYESTER
with John Elliot from Paris, France.....John will
be be offering a full range of information on co-polymer
strings beginning with an explanation of the manufacturing
process. He will explain how to string with polyester,
emphasizing the points which help to minimize tension
loss during the stringing process, thereby, reducing
the over-stretching frequently suffered by co-polymer
strings. Rather than killing the string, which is
frequently what happens, it's possible to greatly
enhance the string's playability and durability. It's
all about stringing technique and choosing the correct
tension. John will show you how easy this process
can really be!
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The 2008 trade show was a huge success. Our goal
is to have a broad based representation of the latest
in stringing machines, diagnostic equipment, and
other products of interest at the 2009 symposium.
Please plan to support the trade show and show our
industry representatives that we value their participation
in the GSS symposium. Listed above you'll see all
of the manufacturers that joined us in 2008. All
will be invited back in 2009 plus we hope to have
more!
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For a complete listing
of seminar dates and times please go HERE
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Racquet
Customization....
John Gugel MRT and certification tester with
the USRSA John leads this 4 hour
seminar that was easily one of the most talked
about sessions from the
2007 event. With a new format change John will
begin with a brief Power Point presentation and
then jump right into hosting three different
hands-on work stations covering (1) the
testing and diagnostic equipment needed to customize
any racquet (2) grip enhancement and modification
(3) bumper/grommet replacement plus much, much
more. The goal with the new format is to see
that everyone in attendance gets their chance
at some real hands-on time at each station!
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Diagnostic equipment used in this seminar includes:
Alpha Accuswing, Babolat RDC, Howe Flex Four, Rossignol
SwingTest, and the Beers ERT. This course will provide
you with the skills to set yourself apart from
the rest of the pack and offer you a completely
new revenue stream for your shop.
Machine Repair/Maintenance
and Equipment Selection -
Mark Gonzales of Alpha Racquet Sports
takes you through the steps of maintaining and repairing
the equipment you use on a daily basis in your shop.
Machine calibration, clamp and clamp base adjustments,
and many of the little secrets you need to know to
keep your equipment in top condition! For those of
you who may be considering a purchase of a new stringing
machine or an expensive piece of diagnostic equipment
for your shop Mark will cover in detail exactly what
you should be looking for before you make your decision
to buy.
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The Art of Working
with Natural Gut -
GSS Founder, Symposium Director, and 2007 RSi Stringer
of the Year Tim Strawn will take you
on a virtual tour of the manufacturing process of
the most misunderstood string the stringer has to
work with. Learn what makes natural gut so special,
how to protect the string during installation, weaving
techniques to maintain the strings integrity, and
special tricks you can use to make installing this
string easy and fast. During this session participants
will actually spend time on the machine
stringing and working with natural gut. Pre-stretching
and installation will be the main focal point.
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Basic String
Stuff & Racquettracker Software - John
Gugel, MRT and
USRSA Certification Tester takes
you on a journey into the manufacturing world
of racquet strings. Understanding your product
is vital to knowing exactly what string will
work best in any situation and John 's class
will give you the knowledge to do that. Learn
what strings to pick and why for a particular
application. Gain a clear understanding of
why some strings work well together in hybrid
combinations and why others don't. If you're
confused on the differences between the construction
of one string versus another this session
provides the insight needed to broaden your
knowledge in that area. John will also introduce
Racquet Tracker software, the most comprehensive
stringing program available today. If you
want to keep accurate records of the work
you do for your customers Racquet Tracker
is the program you've been looking for!
Using the USRSA
Online Resources... Dave
Bone, USRSA Executive Director will
be leading this class that's specifically geared towards
teaching you how to use the interactive online tools
provided on the USRSA's web site. Learn how to use
their racquet selector, string selector, racquet customizer,
racquet optimizer, and how to effectively use the
digest search feature.
Mastering Racquet
Service- Bob Patterson, MRT and 2005 RSi Stringer
of the Year and Dave Bone, executive director of the
USRSA twill teach you the necessary
skills needed to successfully complete USRSA certification.
Beginning and advanced techniques that help to round
out the overall skills of any stringer are demonstrated
here as well as the little secrets needed to help
get you through the most difficult situations when
stringing a racquet. This is the perfect prep course
for anyone considering the USRSA certification and
will definitely be a plus if you choose to certify
at the 2009 symposium.
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From the Manufacturers
Perspective - Ron
Rocchi, Principle
Designer for Wilson Racquet Sports.
Ask anyone that attended the 2007 GSS Symposium
and they'll quickly tell you that Ron absolutely
mesmerized his audience with this presentation
on the manufacturing process of tennis racquets.
Join Ron as he takes you through the process
from beginning to end right down to how the
graphics are applied to the racquets. This
is material rarely revealed, even to industry
insiders so you won't want to miss this one!
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Customer Service-Keys
to Success... with Tim
Strawn.... Great customer service has become
a lost art in today's fast paced consumer society
and this creates an opening that can be very beneficial
to a business. Surprised? You shouldn't be. How often
have you heard or read about the importance of separating
yourself form the pack by doing something extraordinary
or providing something that your competitors can't?
This seminar offers the perfect opportunity to do
just that. If your competitors provide terrible customer
service image the advantages you'll enjoy if you can
master the art of extraordinary customer service.
Join Tim as he takes you on a journey through the
lost art of customer service and see why those that
still practice great customer service continue to
keep their customers and gain new ones year after
year.
Exposing
the Secrets of Polyester ...John Elliot of Paris France
John will be be offering a full range of information
on co-polymer strings beginning with an explanation
of the manufacturing process. He will explain how
to string with polyester, emphasizing the points which
help to minimize tension loss during the stringing
process, thereby, reducing the over-stretching frequently
suffered by co-polymer strings. Rather than killing
the string, which is frequently what happens, it's
possible to greatly enhance the string's playability
and durability. It's all about stringing technique
and choosing the correct tension. John will show you
how easy this process can really be!
Market
to New Profits... with MRT Bob Patterson....Whether
you operate a home stringing business, a large full-service
tennis store or something in-between, this seminar
will help you increase your revenue flow through creative
marketing. Industry veteran Bob Patterson will present
basic marketing principles and show participants how
to adapt and apply them to specific business models.
The tennis business is a niche market and requires
a unique marketing approach to be successful. New
and existing businesses will both benefit from this
insightful seminar.
USRSA
Certification.... In 2008 23 stringers
tested at the GSS symposium. Of those 23, 17 of them
passed their exams, a remarkable pas/fail rate without
a doubt. The training you'll receive at the symposium
certainly can be a factor if you're planning to test
and the 2008 pass/fail clearly reflects that. Because
of this, we've added a fourth day, Wednesday October
14th and specifically set this day aside for USRSA
certifiaction testing. This will allow all attendees
the opportunity to attend any and ALL
seminars offered at the symposium prior to their testing
date. Wednesday will be the ONLY
day the testing will be offered.
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| Tim
Strawn is the owner of www.grandslamstringers.com, an
interactive web site dedicated to serving the worldwide
stringing community. Tim is the founder of the GSS Racquet
Stringers Symposium, a MRT (Master Racquet Technician)
with the United States Racquet Stringers Association
(USRSA), a member of the Wilson Tour Services Stringing
Team, and has strung for the ATP/WTA tours for 9 years.
He was voted RSI's Stringer of the Year in 2007! |
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| Mark
Gonzalez of Alpha Racquet Sports is one of the most
respected names in the industry when it comes to
stringing machines and strings. Mark is a MRT (Master
Racquet Technician) and a certification tester with the United States Racquet Stringers Association (USRSA) and has many years
of experience in the retail business as well as experience
stringing at the pro tour level. Mark is without
a doubt the number one reason behind Alpha’s
renowned reputation for outstanding customer care
and service after the sale. |
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| Richard
Parnell is a MRT (Master Racquet Technician) and a certification
tester with the United States Racquet Stringers Association
(USRSA) and he is also Pro Tour Certified and a certification
tester for the European Racquet Stringers Association
(ERSA). Richard is a veteran tour stringer of 7 Wimbledon’s,
many Davis Cup ties in Spain, team leader for the Barcelona
Open in 2002, and team leader for the TMS Series Madrid
in 2003 & 2004. |
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| John
Gugel is a MRT (Master Racquet Technician) and certification tester with the
United States Racquet Stringers Association (USRSA), veteran tour stringer, and owner of e-Tennis
in Winter Park Florida. John is the winner of the "Top
Design" award from Industrial Design Magazine
for innovative racquet design and the winner of the "New
Top 100 Products" award from Popular Mechanics
Magazine for designing a series of six racquets,
one of which was named to the top 100 list. |
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| Bob
Patterson is a MRT (Master Racquet Technician) and certification
tester with the USRSA. Bob has more than 25 years experience
in the tennis industry. He founded and operated a successful
tennis retail store for over 15 years and has worked
as a District Sales Manager for a leading racquet manufacturer.
Bob owns and operates RACQUETMAXX, a professional racquet
service company that specializes in racquet customization
and stringing. Bob has worked with many of the top professional
players both past and present. He was recognized by
RSi Magazine as the Stringer of the Year in 2005 and
has served as a Contributing Editor with the magazine
since 2006. |
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| Ron
Rocchi, Wilson Sporting Goods Principle Designer for Racquet Sports,
has been creating and developing the best selling Wilson racquets for
the last 10 years. As Global Tour Equipment Manager, he is responsible
for servicing all Wilson touring professionals with their racquet customization
needs. Ron serves as the Director of the Wilson Stringing team, the official
stringers of the U.S. Open in New York City and the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, Florida. |
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| Grant
Morgan is a MRT (Master Racquet Technician) with the
United States Racquet Stringers Association (USRSA)
and a veteran tour stringer of 7 years and over 75 tournaments
worldwide including all four Grand slams and all Master
series tournaments. Grant has served as the official
stringer for the U.S. Men's Davis Cup team, was RSi's
stringer of the year in 2006, and also worked as the
personal stringer to Andy Roddick during the 2003- 2004
ATP seasons. |
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| David
Bone, Master Racquet Technician (MRT), is the Executive
Director and Owner of the USRSA (United States Racquet Stringers
Association), the sponsor for the 2008 GSS symposium.
He is a graduate of the Professional Tennis Management
(PTM) program at Ferris State University in Big Rapids,
Michigan. He has been a speaker at National Conventions
for the USPTA, USPTR, and USTA. David’s mission
is to bring the wealth of information the USRSA has
to offer to as many tennis industry professionals
as possible. |
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Stewart
Barnes, CFP, is a Senior Financial Advisor and CERTIFIED
FINANCIAL PLANNER practitioner in Roanoke, Virginia.
He owns Barnes and Associates, which is a financial
advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services,
Inc.
Mike Garrison is the Amazon.com, Wall Street
Journal, New York Times, and USA Today bestselling
author of Truth or Delusion?: Busting Networking's
Biggest Myths. He is a business coach whose passion
is helping clients discover and attain higher levels
of performance in both their business and personal
lives. |
| Stewart Barnes & Mike Garrison |
John
Elliot has more than 20 years experience in creating
and manufacturing top quality mono filament co-polymer
and polyester tennis strings and has helped to develop
some of the most successful racquet strings in the market
today. The 15 years work on specific stringing methods
to minimize tension loss and to optimize the playing
characteristics has enabled him to lower machine tension
settings by 4 to 6 lbs, yet obtain the usual tension
and SBS readings. His passion and professionalism for
strings, stringing methods and stringing machines has
led him to become one of the more interesting personalities
in the world of tennis today.
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ACCOMODATIONS
The 2009 GSS Racquet Stringers Symposium will be held at
the beautiful Regal
Sun Resort , an official Walt Disney World® hotel.
Located within walking distance of downtown Disney, the
Regal Sun specializes in family-friendly amenities, impressive
facilities, and uncompromising fun and service. This property
is a quick shuttle ride from the Magic Kingdom® Park,
Disney-MGM Studios, Epcot® and Disney's Animal Kingdom®
Theme Park and is just 17 miles from Orlando International
Airport. The Regal Sun is offering GSS symposium attendees
a great group rate plus, that rate is extended to 3 days
before and 3 days after the dates of the symposium! That
means you can come early or stay late, attend the GSS symposium
and make a vacation out of the whole experience without
ever having to change hotel rooms?
NEW 2009
DISCOUNTS-- We've added new discounts for husband/wife
teams as well as discounts for groups of 3 or more from
the same business. These discounts only apply to your symposium
fee and have no effect on your room rate at the Regal Sun
or other expenses you may incur when attending the symposium.
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Experience the magic of Disney's four captivating
Theme Parks and dive into fun at two refreshing Water
Parks. There's something here to ignite the imagination
and warm the spirit of everyone. Follow your Disney
dreams to a place where storybook fantasy comes to
life for children of all ages. Seek out adventures,
create magical memories with beloved Characters and
discover the fun where imagination reigns. Just click
on the Disney tickets logo below for GSS special group
rates.
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For more information on the GSS Racquet Stringers Symposium please contact GSS at (540) 772-4418 or crazydiamond23@cox.net
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