Annual Meeting: Back To The Beach!
Article Date: Thursday, June 01, 2006
Written By: Russell Rawlings
The North Carolina Bar Association’s eagerly awaited return to the beach is but a few months away, and anticipation is already building for what promises to be an Annual Meeting to remember.
Whereas the 2006 Annual Meeting, scheduled June 15-18 at the Sheraton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront Hotel, marks the event’s Atlantic Beach debut, this is not the NCBA’s first excursion into Carteret County.
In fact, the Annual Meeting was born there, convening in nearby Morehead City in 1899. The convention returned to the Atlantic Hotel in 1903, 1908 and 1912.
No doubt, a lot has changed in 94 years.
The immensely popular tourist region is now known as the Crystal Coast, with both ends of the Bogue Banks connected to the mainland by expansive high-rise bridges. The glory days of the Atlantic Hotel, destroyed by fire in 1933, are long gone – the destination of choice is now the Sheraton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront Hotel.
Recently renovated to the tune of $5 million, the Sheraton Atlantic Beach (SOLD OUT!) is going the extra mile in its premiere performance as host and headquarters of the NCBA Annual Meeting. The entire facility has been set aside over the extended weekend for NCBA events and accommodations, and the rest of the Crystal Coast is rolling out the red carpet as well.
The expanded N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores will reopen just in time for Friday evening’s family dinner. The Dunes Club will serve as host for Thursday night’s General Practice Hall of Fame induction festivities. Past presidents will gather for their annual reception and dinner Friday night at the Coral Bay Club. Bogue Banks Country Club will host the tennis and golf tournaments.
Events are also scheduled in and around Beaufort and the Bogue Sound, including stops at the Rachel Carson Preserve on Carrot Island, the N.C. Maritime Museum and various historic sites in Beaufort.
Highlights include the swearing-in ceremonies for the NCBA’s 112th president, Clark Smith, and the election of a new president-elect who will lead the NCBA in 2007-08. The Annual Meeting also marks the culmination of President Mike Colombo’s tenure.
The 7 p.m. swearing-in ceremony will launch Saturday evening’s gala program that includes food, drink, beach music and dancing.
The new president-elect will be elected during the Saturday morning General Session which begins at 9. The session will also include the annual State of the Judiciary address by N.C. Supreme Court Chief Sarah Parker, presentation of the John J. Parker Award and the Dr. I. Beverly Lake Public Service Award.
ABA President Mike Greco will also address the General Session, which concludes with a Judicial Candidates Forum. Candidates for seats on the state Supreme Court and the N.C. Court of Appeals will be invited to address the General Session.
Convention Central will be open from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m.-1 a.m. on Saturday.
The focal point of Thursday’s activity is the annual dinner and induction ceremony of the General Practice Hall of Fame. This event begins at 7:30, preceded by a Taste of the Crystal Coast early arrivals reception from 6:30-8 at the Sheraton.
Thursday evening also marks the first of two Sunset on the Pier receptions. The Legal Assistants Division is hosting the first of these 8 p.m. events, followed on Friday night at that same time by the Women in the Profession Committee.
The Friday morning agenda includes the final meeting of the 2005-06 NCBA Board of Governors at 8:30 and the Exhibit Hall grand opening and grand prize drawing at 10:30.
The first of four CLE programs offered during the Annual Meeting will also take place on Friday morning (programs will also be offered Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon).
The Friday afternoon schedule kicks off at noon with the President’s Reception and President’s Luncheon (12:30). The luncheon features presentation of the 2006 Pro Bono Awards, initial presentation of the H. Brent McKnight Renaissance Lawyer Award, and the Willis Smith and Willis Smith Jr. Professionalism and Ethics Speech.
Chief Judge Deanell Reece Tacha of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, is this year’s professionalism speaker. Appointed to the Denver-based court in 1985, Tacha also serves as president of the American Inns of Court.
An afternoon of entertaining events follows, including the Platt D. Walker Society’s eco-tour of Bogue Sound, the tennis tournament, a pool party with shag lessons, and a sandcastle contest with kite flying on the beach.
The annual Exhibition and Silent Auction, sponsored by the YLD Arts, Entertainment and Sports Law Committee to benefit Legal Aid of North Carolina, will take place from 4-7 Friday afternoon. This year, for the first time, the Exhibition and Silent Auction will include sports and entertainment memorabilia.
The auction will share the Sheraton Grand Ballroom and adjoining meeting space with receptions for all seven North Carolina law schools (5:30-7). In addition to the Campbell, Charlotte, Duke, Elon, NCCU, UNC and Wake Forest receptions, non-North Carolina law school alums are also invited to gather at this time.
The Family Dinner at the N.C. Aquarium, featuring “A Treasure Trove of Fun for the Kids,” promises to be a big hit for convention-goers of all ages. The NCBA will be among the first organizations to entertain in the expanded facility, so tickets to this 6:30-9 event will certainly be in high demand.
Saturday morning’s schedule includes the annual 5K Run and Fun Walk – the runners aren’t in it for fun – on the Beach. Registration opens at 7, starter’s whistle sounds at 7:30.
In the afternoon, former Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake Jr. will convene the Commission on Equal Access to Justice at 12:30. The Young Lawyer Division Luncheon also starts at 12:30 with featured remarks provided by James K. Dorsett III, past president of the State Bar and current president of the American Counsel Association.
Anyone not involved in one of those events should look to the sea, or somewhere thereabouts, for Saturday Afternoon in Beaufort-by-the-Sea. Eco-kayaking and the aforementioned tours of Beaufort and Carrot Island get under way at 12:30 as well.
Saturday evening’s agenda has fun and fellowship written all over it. The Senior Lawyers Division will host a reception at 5, followed by the Paradise at the Beach Reception at 6. The Passing of the Gavel and President’s Speech takes place from 7-7:30 followed by a reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres until 9. Beach music and dancing continue to midnight, accompanied by a dessert and coffee bar that opens at 10.
The Annual Meeting concludes on Sunday with the annual Family Prayer Breakfast and the inaugural meeting of the 2006-07 NCBA Board of Governors.
Click here to access a complete listing of 2006 NCBA Annual Meeting events, which are also outlined in the registration information that every NCBA member will receive.