ABOTA

American Board of Trial Advocates & CAL-ABOTA


Challenge

The annual Hawaii Conference for this association comprised of the country’s top civil trial attorneys was in a rut. They suffered from “same old, same old” syndrome. It was formulaic, predictable, routine. Although the destination was pure paradise, the association’s leadership had noticed some bothersome trends. There was a natural tendency for the old-timers to fall into cliques. First-timers weren’t registering for next year. Attendance was dropping. Registrations were tardy and lackluster.

Highlights


Fortunately, they found us in the nick of time. For 15 consecutive years, we injected new, fresh ideas as well as opportunities for connection and interaction – all of which reinforced the Conference’s educational and fraternal purpose.

  • We upped the fun factor. We sourced out fabulous new entertainers that kept everyone on the dance floor till the music was silenced at curfew, after which they retired to the piano lounge to continue the fun.
  • We created opportunities for members to interact and bond with projects – both fun and philanthropic – like sand sculpture contests and community service projects.
  • During election years, we created “political parties” featuring humorous impersonators of the presidential candidates.
  • We suggested that the officers host a special cocktail party for first-timers.
  • We brought in fascinating people to enhance their program, including Clark Little, a big-break surfer from the North Shore of Oahu who has become an internationally-recognized photographer of waves … from the inside out.

Image Gallery


 

Video Gallery


Lokahi Garden Project



Clark Little Slideshow



Client Comments

Here are a few of the comments we received on the CAL-ABOTA annual conferences.

“Returning to the Hawaiian Islands year after year could have become routine. But you always surprised and delighted our members in big and small ways. In this age of mediocrity, its rare to find a company that consistently provides exemplary service that exceeds all expectations – year after year. Creative Travel Planners has over-delivered on every promise for our trial attorneys for our Hawaii Conference since 1994. Your one-on-one personal touch with my members always delighted me. Known for being well-traveled as well as high-maintenance, CTP always knew how to make them happy!” –Shirley Schwartz, Executive Director, CAL-ABOTA

“On behalf of Dianne and I and the American Board of Trial Advocates, I want to thank you and your staff for the excellent convention you coordinated. Your interpersonal relationships and processional acumen saved our organization money and made everything flow towards a seamless and excellent gathering. No one and no organization could be better served than by having the privilege of being one of your clients.” –J.V. Phelps, President, Womack, Landis, Phelps, McNeill & McDaniel