General Assembly 2023

The General Assembly 2023 will be hosted by the American Trakehner Association (ATA) in the USA from 13th to 16th October 2023.

More information will be added and updated in due course.

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    • General Assembly
    • Event info
    • Where to stay
    • Travel
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        • Orlando, USA

          General Assembly 2023

          Located in central Florida USA, and the county seat of Orange County, is Orlando. Whether you’re a theme park enthusiast, bird watcher, foodie, water sports fanatic, sun worshipper, arts patron, serious shopper or anything in between, the possibilities are endless here.

          One of the most visited cities in the world, Orlando has at least a dozen theme parks including Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot Centre, Universal Studios, and Sea World. Withing easy driving distance are other attractions such as several beaches, the University of Florida, and the Kennedy Space Center. Easily accessible via the Orlando International Airport, the annual meetings will be centred here, but a visit to Ocala will also take place.

          Tucked into north central Florida in a region known as "horse country", you will find the town of Ocala, about 130 km from Orlando. It’s easy to see why this region is known as the “Horse Capital of the World”. For miles, brown and white board fences enclose squares of green pastures. Well-built barns abound. And horses graze in fields against a blue horizon backdrop. Marion County is home to more than 600 Thoroughbred farms and is one of a handful of Thoroughbred centres in the world. At the heart of it all, on the north-western outskirts of Ocala, is the massive and recently developed showpiece World Equestrian Centre.

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        • Orlando
          Orlando
          Orlando
      • Orlando, USA

        Event Information

        After last having the WBFSH Annual Meetings in the USA in 2012, we are looking forward to seeing everybody in Orlando Florida in 2023! Join us for a diverse program of seminars, presentations and cultural experiences.

        Herewith the WBFSH and President Jan Pedersen warmly invite all its members and associates to participate at this year's annual meetings. Generously hosted by the American Trakehner Association, we look forward to seeing you in Orlando Florida (USA).

        The annual meetings kick off with a welcome evening on Friday 13th October 2023 in Orlando Florida, with a cocktail reception, and then a visit to the Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios. How fitting for Friday the 13th!

        The coming days will be filled with seminars and presentations covering topics ranging from welfare perspectives, to skeletal conditions such as kissing spine, and gene doping. A workshop relating to our welfare theme will form part of the program. And of course, there will be opportunities to network during the various cultural activities, such as a visit to the impressive World Equestrian Center itself, to various typical equestrian farms in the Ocala area, Universal Studios and the Kennedy Space Center.

      • Orlando, USA

        Where to stay

        Special rates are on offer from our partner hotel, for all bookings made by Thursday 14th September 2023.

        Our partner hotel is the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Orlando Airport, which is conveniently located approx. 6km from the Orlando International Airport.

        The discounted group rate for single rooms is $159 plus tax / night, including a breakfast buffet, and double rooms $169 plus tax / night including breakfast buffet. Booked rooms can be cancelled free of charge up to 48 hours before arrival. In case of a later cancellation, one night and tax will be charged as cancellation fee. A credit card guarantee is required for bookings.

        Rooms are available from 3:00 PM on the day of arrival and must be vacated by 12:00 PM on the day of departure.

        To book a room please email Rachel Ostrander and use the booking reference code WBFSH-GA-2023 to get the special rate – deadline Thursday, September 14, 2023.

        Hotel
        Airport map
      • Orlando, USA

        Travel

        Orlando International Airport

        The airport is located 10km southeast of downtown Orlando, and approximately 6km from the Double Tree by Hilton Orlando Airport. It is the busiest airport in Florida, and the seventh busiest airport in the USA. There are countless international and domestic destinations, and travel into Orlando might be directly, or via one of the major US cities.

        From the airport you can reach the hotel by car, taxi, Uber or shuttle.

        Useful things to know before travelling to the USA

        • Visa

        Citizens of 35 countries (inc.l the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and most Western European countries) – can enter under the Visa Waiver Program if visiting up to 90 days. Apply for an ESTA Visa (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) by visiting the ESTA website here: Official ESTA Application Website, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Wait time is short but allow at least 72 hours before travel. The Visa costs 14$ and is payable by credit card.

        Other parts of the world require a visitors visa for visits up to 90 days. How you obtain a visa depends on what country you’re in and your status when you apply, check Travel.

        • Customs

        It is likely to you will be asked the address where you are staying in the USA. Give them the address of the hotel of the first night.

        • Tax

        Prices are without tax. Expect 6% general sales tax in Florida.

        • Tipping

        Restaurants: At least 15%, for good service 20%.
        Hotel / valet etc: 2$ per piece of luggage.
        Taxi: 15% and round up to nearest 50 cent.

        • Electricity

        110V AC (alternate current)

        Orlando Airport
      • Orlando, USA

        Register for event

        Online registration opens on Thursday 20th July. Early Bird Prices are offered until 18th August 2023. Later registrations until 12th September 2023 are possible at an additional cost as indicated on the price list and online entry form. Entries after 12th September 2023 will not be accepted. Please refer to our terms and conditions.

        Please also remember, if you book your hotel after 14th September, the hotel special at the Double Tree by Hilton Orlando Airport will no longer be on offer.