Monday at the Winter Meetings is the day of the Freitas Business Seminar.  In the morning, attendees gathered together to hear presentations about Social Networking, Successful Promotions, New Sales Techniques, and other new and improved ideas from members of the Minor League Baseball Community.  Following the presentations, there was an awards luncheon where the organizations of the year were honored.  An Elmore Sports Group (owners of the 66ers) won a prestigious award, as the Idaho Falls Chukars were chosen as Short-Season organization of the year.  Check out the link here for an article: http://www.growidahofalls.org/content/chukars-organization-wins-bob-freitas-award.  Congratulations to General Manager Kevin Greene and his very hard-working staff.

After lunch, it was “Roundtable Time” as attendees chose presentations to attend which included information about sales, marketing, operations, merchandising, community relations and website development.  These sessions were very informative and the 66ers look forward to implementing some of the programs at Arrowhead Credit Union Park this year.

Following the session in the lobby, Padres Manager Bud Black joined Chris Rose and the MLB Network team to discuss the finalized Adrian Gonzalez trade.  During this time, Kevin Towers, the new General Manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks and representatives from the New York Yankees were busy working the phones.  Towers traded long-time third baseman Mark Reynolds to the Orioles and the Yankees were busy finalizing Derek Jeter’s extension and trying to see what it will take to acquire Cliff Lee.

Monday evening also included the Elmore Sports Group Dinner.  A special thank you goes out to Mr. Dave Elmore and his son D.G. Elmore who hosted the great event at the Blue Zoo Restaurant in the Dolphin Resort.  It was a festive evening and included representatives from all of the Elmore Sports Group teams:  Colorado Springs Sky Sox, San Antonio Missions, Idaho Falls Chukars, Eugene Emeralds, Helena Brewers, and Bakersfield Blaze.

What an exciting Monday in Orlando!  Can’t wait to see what happens on Tuesday.  In our next update, we will fill you in about any other player movement, the PBEO job fair, the Trade Show, and the Angels Cocktail Hour.