WELCOME

On behalf of the Great Lakes Chapter members and as Host Committee Chair, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to Traverse City, Michigan for the National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives’ Tax and Accounting Conference. We also play host to the Electric Co-operative Chapter, which will be holding its annual chapter meeting in conjunction with the national conference.

The Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is one of the Midwest's finest full-service, conference destinations. Located on 900-acre’s, the resort offers more than 600 rooms, suites, and condominiums to fit your parties lodging needs. Additional amenities include a diverse selection of restaurants and lounges, a health and tennis facility, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a children's center, and a shopping gallery. For those golf enthusiasts, the resort is home to 3 championship courses that are sure to enhance your golf experience.

While the actual meeting starts on Monday, we encourage you to attend one of three pre-conference sessions on Sunday afternoon, August 7th. Topic’s to choose from include Equity Management and Inter-Cooperative Investments, Risk Management, and Hedge Accounting for Cooperatives. For those attending the Electric Coop sessions; A Rates Workshop will be offered as well as a Basic Coop Tax session.

Monday starts off with Dr. Lowell Catlett, Regent's Professor in Agricultural Economics and Business for New Mexico State University. Later in the day, we will discuss Cooperatives and Rural rebirth with RL Condra. Tuesday will begin with Dr. Terry Barr sharing his view on commodity prices and end with the ever popular Co-op Roundtables. On Wednesday, Brad DeLong, Professor of Economics at U.C. Berkeley and a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research will share his thoughts with us followed by a Social Media Marketing update with Sarah Johnson. Throughout Monday and Tuesday you will be able to choose from a variety of breakout sessions from four separate tracks – electric utility, tax, accounting/auditing, and general. Monday evening, August 8th, all attendees and their guests are invited to attend the annual President’s Reception at the beautiful Hagerty Center located on the banks of the West Bay. . An optional activity has been arranged for the evening is which is to set sail on the Tall Ship Manitou for a two hour sunset cruse on Lake Michigan leaving at 7:30 pm. This is an opportunity you and your family will not want to miss so register early seats will be limited.

Monday and Tuesday offers some amazing optional activities for families . . . Monday take a trip to the wine country on the Leelanau Peninsula where participants will sample wines from three local wineries and cheeses from a local cheese coop. Guests will have the opportunity to wander the streets and have lunch on your own in the quaint little town of Leland. Tuesday, guests should grab their cameras and sunglasses for a day trip to Mackinac Island where horses, buggies, bikes and feet are the only means of transportation. You will have an opportunity to explore the island, visit historic forts, shop in the downtown shopping districtand enjoy an exceptional lunch on the porch of the historical Grand Hotel (home of the world’s longest summer porch).

Bring your golf clubs with you to Traverse City because the Wolverine at The Grand Traverse Resort is where we will be playing our 2011 Golf Scramble. The Wolverine Course was designed by former PGA Tour player Gary Player. The course rating of the Wolverine is 68.8 and the slope rating is 129.

The Great Lakes Chapter is excited to be hosting NSAC’s Annual Conference and hope that you can join us this year in Traverse City, Michigan. We promise you a program filled with vital information and a great opportunity to network with many of your colleagues from around the country. Remember “Traverse City is a Great place to be for NSAC”!

Joe Diglio
2011 Host Chapter Committee Chair
NSAC’s Great Lakes Chapter