75th Annual Convention
March 23-25, 2015
The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort
and Spa in Rancho Mirage, CA
CSA 75th Annual Convention
Schedule of Events
MONDAY ~ MARCH 23, 2015
7:00/5:00 Registration/Hospitality
7:30/9:00Board of Director’s Meeting
9:00/11:00General Session Betsy’s Report: Issues including Chemical Registration Update and Industry Topics
ASTA Report and Update
Keynote Speaker Hershell R. Ervin, FBI Counterintelligence Strategic Partnership Program
12:00/5:30Golf Tournament at Pete Dye Golf Course at Westin Mission Hills
12:00/5:00
The Living Desert Zoo and Garden Trip
6:00/7:30 Group Reception
TUESDAY ~ MARCH 24, 2015
6:30/7:305K Run/Walk
8:00/5:00Registration/Hospitality
8:00/9:15 Seed Dealers Committee
9:20/10:20Spinach Committee
10:00/2:00Spouse Program: Shopping at El Paseo
10:25/11:25Plant Breeders & Biotechnology Committee
11:30/12:30Industry Communications & Youth Activities Committee
1:30/5:00Bocce Ball on the Lawn
1:30/5:00
Aerial Tram Tour
6:00/9:00Group Dinner, Auction and Entertainment by Tom Ryan
WEDNESDAY ~ MARCH 25, 2015
8:00/5:00Registration/Hospitality
7:00/8:00Past President’s Breakfast
8:00/9:00Legislative Committee
9:15/10:15Field Seed/Seed Certification Committee
Crop Reports by CCIA
10:30/12:00Vegetable/Grower & Shipper Liaison Committee
Industry Speaker: Larry Godfrey, Dept. of Entomology and Nematology, UC-Davis
12:00/2:00Group Luncheon & Annual Meeting
President’s Address & Welcome
Pest List For Phytosanitary by Jim Cucuzza
Scholarship Announcements and Sports Awards
Vice President New Member Report
Annual Meeting: President’s Report / EVP Report
2:30/4:00Board of Director’s Meeting THE CONVENTION
GROUP DINNER AND ENTERTAINMENT
Join the California Seed Association for the 75th Annual
Convention at The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa,
a Palm Springs resort and hotel where the picturesque
mountain views and secluded location create the perfect
escape. Enjoy the best Palm Springs Golf on a championship
course, lounge at any of the three pools, splash down a 60foot waterslide or enjoy a delectable meal at one of Palm
Springs restaurant options, including the signature Pinzimini
restaurant. A soothing sanctuary awaits those looking for a
rejuvenating desert retreat with an expansive Palm Springs
resort spa featuring treatments for everyone.
The group dinner will be held on Tuesday evening and will
include a silent auction during the reception as well as afterdinner entertainment by Tom Ryan, Corporate Comedian who
has twenty years of standup comedy experience under his
belt. In addition to being the opening act for Jerry Seinfeld,
Aretha Franklin and BB King, Larry the Cable Guy, Brian
Regan and more, Tom Ryan performs for corporate events
and is a regular at all the top comedy clubs in the country.
GENERAL SESSION
This year the General Session will be held on Monday
morning at 9:00 am. Topics will include updates from Betsy
Peterson and an ASTA report. This session will also feature
our keynote speaker, Hershell R. Ervin with the FBI. The
FBI Counterintelligence Strategic Partnership Program works
with academia, private industry, cleared defense contractors,
local governments, and the intelligence community to foster
proactive strategies to negate attempts by foreign adversaries
to victimize U.S. interests. Each of the FBI’s 56 field offices
has a Strategic Partnership Coordinator who works locally to
further this mission. The program provides our partners with
an FBI point of contact to facilitate threat awareness briefings
on a variety of topics related to the community. Additionally,
the program provides a seamless investigative process
with our partners when the situation dictates. This provides
the first line of defense inside facilities where research and
development occurs and where intelligence services are
focused.
CSA COMMITTEE MEETINGS
All members are encouraged to attend the various committee
meetings which will be held throughout the convention.
During the General Session on Monday morning, reports
will be given for those agenda items that are not covered
in a specific meeting. This is the first step in CSA’s policy
development process. The Seed Dealers, Spinach, and
Plant Breeders, & the Industry Communications Committee
will have their meetings on Tuesday. The Legislative, Field/
Seed Certification Committee as well as the Vegetable and
Grower/Shipper Liaison Committees will meet on Wednesday.
Attendees are encouraged to participate in these meetings.
GROUP LUNCHEON / ANNUAL MEETING
The group luncheon program will be held on Wednesday
at noon and will include the scholarship announcements,
new member report, a presentation on the Pest List for
Phytosanitary by Jim Cucuzza and the CSA Annual Meeting,
showcasing CSA’s activities for the 2014/15 year. We will hear
President Kraig Kuykendall’s report, comments from the CSA
incoming President Paul Scaroni and the annual report by
Executive Vice President, Chris Zanobini. We will also have
the election of our incoming Officers and Board of Directors.
HOTEL INFORMATION & RESERVATIONS
The 2015 CSA Annual Convention will be held at The
Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa. The Association
has negotiated group room rates at $199.00 for run of house
single/double with a resort fee of $9.00 between the dates
of March 22-25, 2015. The resort fee includes high speed
internet access, complimentary self parking, fitness center
access, day use of the Spa facilities, use of putting greens
and shuttle service and much more. Please mention the CSA
Annual Convention at The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort &
Spa to secure the group rate.
MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY!!!!! THE DEADLINE
FOR HOTEL RESERVATIONS is March 5, 2015 to receive
this discounted group rate.
Book on personalized website:
https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/
booking/reservation?id=1501091290&key=2C450F2E
WELCOME RECEPTION
The link is on the CSA Website - on the calendar of events
page (http://www.calseed.org/calendar.html) or call the hotel
directly at 760-328-5955. The group rates established for
the meeting will be offered 3 days prior and 3 days after the
meeting dates, subject to availability of group rate and Run
of House rooms at the time the reservation is made.
California Seed Association invites everyone to the welcome
reception at the Annual Convention on Monday evening. This
is an opportunity to meet fellow convention attendees in an
informal setting with appetizers, drinks and music.
THE WESTIN MISSION HILLS GOLF & SPA RESORT
71333 Dinah Shore Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
(760) 328-5955 www. westinmissionhills.com
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
GOLF TOURNAMENT The Pete Dye Golf Course opened in 1989. This Pete Dye
design follows typical Dye design with railroad tie borders around tee boxes and ponds.
This Pete Dye is tame compared to most, but will challenge every skill level while having
fun. The Pete Dye course features hidden pin placements, carries over water, pot bunkers,
elevated tees and railroad ties. It plays to 6,706 yards at a par 70 and is designed for all
skill levels. The award winning championship course is just steps away from the resort and
as such shares the same majestic mountain views. Palm Springs golf at its finest!
BOCCE BALL TOURNAMENT Throwing balls toward a target is the oldest game known to mankind. The object of the
game is for individual or team players to roll a larger ball (bocce) closer to a smaller target ball (pallino) than their opponents.
The exceptional democratic spirit of the game of “Bocce” is the basis on which its deeply peaceful character is founded. It is
often the beginning of long friendships. Join us on the lawn Tuesday afternoon for a memorable tournament!
SPOUSE PROGRAM ~ EL PASEO SHOPPING DISTRICT Located in Palm Desert, the world
famous El Paseo Shopping District features over 300 world-class shops, clothing boutiques, art galleries,
jewelers, restaurants and much more...all lined along a beautifully maintained picture-postcard floral
and statue-filled mile! Known as the Rodeo Drive of the Desert, El Paseo boasts a wide spectrum of
stores from Sak’s 5th Avenue to individually owned boutiques.
LIVING DESERT ZOO & GARDENS A zoo and botanical garden spread
over 250 acres! Giraffes, mountain lions, wolves and cheetahs are just a few of the
incredible animals that take you from Africa to North America. Visitors who come to
The Living Desert in the early morning are in for some delightful surprises! In the
cool of the morning, most of the animals on exhibit are at their peak activity. Playing,
some eating breakfast, catching the wind for the scent of other nearby animals,
stretching and prowling. A zoo and botanical garden all in one with over 450 animals, specializing in endangered species
and plants of the desert. The Living Desert is more than a collection of exhibits, it is also a nature preserve. In fact, 1080 of
the 1200 acres are undisturbed Sonoran Desert.
PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY Aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, World’s Largest
Rotating Tramcar, you will experience a breathtaking journey up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon. Begin
the 10 minute ride at the Valley Station – elevation 2,643 ft. and end at the Mountain Station – elevation
8,516 ft. No matter what the season, whether you are enjoying spectacular views or hiking in a pristine
wilderness, a one-of-a-kind experience can be had by all.
5K RUN/WALK Your chairperson, along with many of the committee members, will be up and running Tuesday morning!
To ensure a good fit on the shirts, please indicate the desired size. With your entry fee you will receive a custom shirt, first
class awards, post-race refreshments, exercise and a great time!
CONFERENCE DEADLINES
The Westin Hills Golf Resort & Spa room reservation deadline is March 5th or until our block fills.
Conference pre-registration deadline for California Seed Association is March 15th.
CANCELLATIONS
Conference registrations cancelled by March 15th will be refunded in full. There will be no refunds for registrations
cancelled after March 15th The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa room reservation cancellations must be
made directly with the hotel and received 48 hours prior to your scheduled arrival to avoid a cancellation penalty.
SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION
An unlimited number of sponsorship opportunities are available. Please refer to the enclosed sponsorship
opportunities menu.
QUESTIONS???
Please contact us at California Seed Association, 1521 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814,
by email ([email protected]), by phone at (916) 441-2251 or by fax at (916) 446-1063.
Updated information will also be available on our website at www.calseed.org