The 2009 ASTA conference will take place in Cleveland, Ohio on Thursday, November 5 and Friday, November 6 followed by the ASTA Safety Under Sail Forum on Saturday, November 7.  The conference will kick-off on Wednesday, November 4, with an evening Welcome Reception sponsored by the host ports of the 2010 Great Lakes United TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Race Series.  

These are challenging times and many of us can use some fresh ideas to help our organizations thrive in this economy.  The conference will offer a powerful agenda aimed at presenting some new ideas, as well as some new ways of looking at old ideas, designed to help your organizations, programs, and vessels function more effectively. 

Cleveland, Ohio, four-time host port to the American Sail Training Association's TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Race Series (2001/2003/2006/2010), is home to the Rock-And-Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Browns and Indians, the Drew Carey Show, Great Lakes Science Center  and much more!  

The conference will follow a schedule established at last year's joint STI/ASTA Conference in Halifax offering longer break periods through out the day to facilitate opportunities for networking.  ASTA's endorsed insurance provider, Allen Agency Insurance, will host a dinner reception at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Thursday evening, including complimentary passes for all delegates to tour the museum.  The Annual Sail Training Awards Banquet will take place on Friday evening followed with live music and dancing.

ASTA Crew Members  are invited to attend the conference at a significantly reduced registration fee.