NASIG Newsletter

CPC UPDATE – WHAT’S DOING IN ASHEVILLE!
Eleanor Cook and Steve Kelley, CPC Co-Chairs

Things are about to get very busy for the Conference Planning Committee as we are getting very close to opening registration for the conference.  With this in mind, we’d like to let you know about the interesting activities we have planned, and update you on our efforts to make this a great NASIG conference.

• The Biltmore event on Friday night is going to a fabulous treat for the first 140 people who sign up!  We now have a detailed FAQ explaining all about it and it also gives information about alternatives to this event if you want to tour Biltmore at some other time – see: http://www.nasig.org//files//NASIGBiltmoreFAQ.doc
• There will be an Asheville Tourists baseball game happening on Friday night.  More on how we’ll handle tickets for this opportunity soon.
• We have secured a wonderful musical duo for the Crest Center event on Saturday night.  Miriam Davidson and Kiya Heartwood, known as Wishing Chair, will be playing for us.  Thanks to Anna Creech for her “inside connection” to these fabulous musicians.  You can sample their tunes at their web site: http://www.wishingchair.com/home.html
• Eating in Asheville offers diverse choices and many places within walking distance of our conference site.  Here are a selection of “top ten” restaurants recommended by our local CPC crew:

  Bistro 1896 - http://www.bistro1896.com/
  Cucina 24 – http://www.cucina24restaurant.com/
  Flying Frog Café – http://www.flyingfrogcafe.com/
  Laughing Seed Café – http://www.laughingseed.com/index.php?page=1
  Magnolia’s - http://local.yahoo.com/info-13376390-magnolia-s-raw-bar-grille-asheville
  Mela Indian Restaurant – http://melaasheville.com/
  Rezaz Mediterranean Restaurant – http://www.rezaz.com/
  Tupelo Honey – http://www.tupelohoneycafe.com/
  Vincenzo’s – http://www.vincenzos.com/
  Zambra – http://www.zambratapas.com/

Don’t necessarily think this is all there is – there are plenty more to choose from!  These are just some of the more interesting choices.

Those of you who are big beer buffs, there are plenty of brew pubs to choose from (more on this soon) and if you are interested in wine tasting, there are NASIG Facebook groups springing up to organize something in this realm.

As we get closer to June we’ll be showcasing other cultural offerings such as music clubs, etc.

Don’t forget to use the NASIG forums if you want to start something of your own!

ABOUT travel plans – Kay Johnson and Susan Davis will be offering a special “NASIG Travel Guru” service soon.  If you are having frustrations with planning your travel itinerary, let these experts offer advice!  (No charge, of course.)

We are hoping to strike a deal with our coach company to allow for a reasonable shuttle service to and from the Asheville airport –more on this soon.  In the meantime, there are deals to had with airlines right now so if you must fly, keep checking!

Looking forward to seeing you in Asheville!