Southern Hospitaity...

I have landed in Nashville, Y'all! I just rolled off the tarmac and right into the cordial showering of "southern hospitality". When you step off the plane, you are greeted by the numerous HLAA Nashville natives donning fire engine red vests who make up an elaborate team called the Local Host Committee. They are strategically placed all around the airport and hotel. They are here to help the convention goers find their way to the shuttles and answer all your questions about the area. When you get to the hotel, they are sprinkled throughout the 41.7 acres of Gaylord Opryland. And yes, you read that correctly - 41.7 acres!

So, when in doubt, look for a red vested friend. :)

From left to right: Beverly Geldreich (HLAA Nashville Chapter), Laurie Pullins (President of HLAA Knoxville) and Bob Geldreich (HLAA Nashville chapter)

Hey Y'all!!!

With the eve of the HLAA Convention upon us, I want to take this moment to introduce myself. My name is Abbie Cranmer and I will be your roving blogger this year! Some of you may recognize my name from last May/June issue of the Hearing Loss Magazine, some of you might know of my personal blog, "Chronicles of a Bionic Woman." Some of you might not know me at all but I shall change that. :)

I want to thank Brenda Battat, Barbara Kelly, Nancy Macklin and Chris Sutton for giving me the opportunity to showcase the highlights of HLAA convention 2009 to you.

May the convention begin!