photos by John Cox and Lesley Goddin

All work and no play is not the motto of the Total Solutions conference. A cocktail reception, awards banquet, as well as a golf tournament, trip to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ game against the Tennessee Titans and a deep sea fishing expedition rounded out the education and networking during our time at St. Pete Beach.

If you missed the opportunity in 2007, start planning for 2008. Our election-year Total Solutions in the Washington, D.C. area is Thursday and Friday September 18-19 at the Gaylord National Hotel. This brand-new, one-of-a kind environment is located in sight of the capital city in Prince George’s County, Md., on the banks of the Potomac. It’s in close proximity of shops along cobblestone streets in Old Town Alexandria, shopping and entertainment at Union Station, exclusive Georgetown, world-class theater and events at The Kennedy Center, top name shows and sports at Verizon Center, treasures of The Smithsonian and historic homes and national landmarks. It will be bristling with excitement with the presidential election only two months away in November. But the Washington buzz will be no match for riches that await at Total Solutions, packed with programs and possibilities to pump up your professionalism and have fun doing it.

Our fearless leader, Bart Bettiga, takes the plunge down the waterslide on the beach at TradeWinds Resort.
Members kick back at the cocktail reception on the patio prior to the Awards Banquet. Shown are (l. to r.) directors Dan Welch, Joe Kerber, Barry Kemna, NTCA membership director Bob Brown and Andrew Scuderi.	The women at NTCA who keep everything running smoothly (l. to r.): Gigi Wall, director of administration and accounting and Michelle Harrell, assistant editor, production manager/designer and advertising sales.
The fishing expedition heads out for high seas	Debbie and Scott Carothers (l.) with Jim and Marilyn Isaminger enjoy the awards banquet.
Jim Isaminger of DMI Tile & Marble has some words of wisdom about tile -- or is it fishing? -- to share with the youngest Bettiga!	Reeling in those fish can be hard work – or maybe it was all the excitement of Total Solutions that prompted NTCA executive director emeritus Joe Tarver to catch a little shuteye. Beau Bettiga is learning from the master.
It’s a family fishing affair with the Leichsenring and Bettiga boys (l. to r.): Christopher Leichsenring, Eli Bettiga, Joseph Leichsenring, Kash and Beau Bettiga.	Not a bad catch for a day’s work!
James Woelfel, chair of the NTCA Technical Committee with wife Chris and son Preston prepare to watch the Tampa Bay Buccaneers thrash the Tennessee Titans, 13-10 at Raymond James Stadium.
What a cool vantage point to watch the game – unless you’re in front of the cannons!