NIA West Spring Conference 2019
Registration is open and NIA members can take advantage of early bird rates now to get the best deals!
NIA-West’s annual Spring Conference gives everyone a unique chance to enjoy the beautiful Santa Barbara Biltmore while catching up with colleagues, networking with new acquaintances and digging into education sessions that will enlighten, inspire, and move us all forward. Topics include:
- Turning Research Based Expenses into Research Based Revenue
- One Year In, A Panel of Experts Discusses California’s Legalized Cannabis Industry
- DSHEA 2.0 – Time for a Rewrite?
If you’ve attended NIA in the past, you know a part of every day is focused on fun and camaraderie:
- A round of golf with customers
- After-dinner nightcaps
- A divot stomp at a polo game or a winery tour at a local vineyard
Rest assured we have allocated the requisite amount of time for fun!
Room Rates
We have an amazing room rate for those of you who are NIA members, in part due to generous sponsorships from Herbalife, Natural Alternatives, Merical and Porzio, Bromberg and Newman.
Monday through Wednesday, just $299/night!
If you’d like to extend your stay to include Saturday or Sunday night before the conference or add Thursday night after the conference, the extra nights are just $339. Remember the discounted rooms are only for members and we have a very limited number of rooms at these rates.
First come, first serve. Don’t dawdle.
The Biltmore
If you’ve visited the Biltmore before, you already know what a special place it is. Built in 1927 on 22 acres of waterfront property, the resort quickly became a favorite with both Old Hollywood as well as elite travelers from around the world.
The Santa Barbara Biltmore became a Four Seasons Property in the late 80’s and is still under Four Seasons management today. The resort recently underwent a $300 million dollar renovation which included not only improving the amenities and functionality, but also on restoring elements of its romantic history. The Biltmore reopened last summer, and we can assure you, it’s gorgeous!
Golf
Golf Magazine named it one of the “Top 10 Golf Courses You Can Play” and Golf Digest gave Rancho San Marcos 4.5 stars among the top 201 golf courses in the United States.
Opened in January of 1998, Rancho San Marcos Golf Course was designed by legendary golf architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. This par 71 course offers stunning views of the Santa Ynez River Valley, distant furrowed peaks, and eagles soaring above Lake Cachuma — without a trace of urban development in sight.
Rancho San Marcos has kept the essence of the old ranch firs established with the Spanish land grant of 1804. This simple and pastoral setting combined with the classic game of golf, makes an ideal location to forget the troubles of the world and reminisce on a quieter, simpler time while enjoying the company of colleagues.
Golf is held on Monday before the opening reception. Please make note of that in making your hotel reservations.
Polo
Described as “…fast, furious, skillful and aggressive, yet infused with old-fashioned bonhomie and good sportsmanship..” , polo has been around for more than 2,000 years. If, when you think of Polo, you think of the divot-stomping, champagne-sipping scene in the movie “Pretty Women”, rest assured, there’ll be plenty of that too.
The Santa Barbara Polo Club, was founded back in 1911 and grew into it’s golden age in the late 20s to mid 30’s and continues to this day.
Our excursion will include a luncheon, a game complete with divot stomping and champagne sipping, and a chance for participants to get out on the field and swing a mallet themselves.
Winery Tour
Santa Barbara County has a history of wine making stretching back more than 200 years to 1782 when Father Junipero Serra planted mission vine cuttings. From the Mission Era of early California through Prohibition to the beginning of the present day local wine making industry started in the 60’s, Santa Barbara County continues to combine traditional, hand-made techniques, with the latest cutting-edge innovations in grape growing and wine making.
With more than 100 wineries in Santa Barbara County the only problem with our winery tour is narrowing it down to a couple and still fitting in a delicious lunch. You’ll have a chance to make new friends, enjoy the more rural areas of Santa Barbara and bring home wines you love all without any concern for who is going to be the designated driver.
Our Sponsors
Conference Schedule
Day 1
May 20, 2019Day 2
May 21, 2019Day 3
May 22, 2019Day 4
May 23, 2019
Topics
Location
Built in a colonial Spanish style and set in 22 acres of lush gardens, this luxury resort across from the beach is 4 miles from downtown Santa Barbara.