WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) – Think of it as a crash course in how to stop campaigning and start governing.

Five newly elected governors joined about 10 of their more experienced colleagues at a posh West Virginia resort Friday to learn about the opportunities and potential pitfalls they face. “This is where governors can come together and forget about red states and blue states,” said outgoing West Virginia Gov. Bob Wise, host of the event at The Greenbrier organized by the National Governors Association.

“There are no Democratic solutions or Republican solutions, there are just solutions,” said Wise, who did not seek re-election.

“The governor’s office is where the rubber meets the road.”

Governors-elect attending the seminars, which end Sunday, are Matt Blunt of Missouri, Brian Schweitzer of Montana, John Lynch of New Hampshire, John Huntsman Jr. of Utah and Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Mitch Daniels of Indiana could not attend.

The NGA holds the seminars every two years.

Wise said the idea is to help the new governors ease their transition from campaigning to governing, a task that can seem overwhelming.

Schweitzer told Wise and Manchin he was even somewhat overwhelmed by the resort, which has hosted presidents and foreign heads of state over its 200-year history.

“I walked into the lobby where the sign says Jeans not allowed’ – and of course I was wearing jeans,” Schweitzer said.

The seminars touched on everything from “preparing the first family” to “structuring your office and selecting key staff” to “dealing with the departing administration and the bureaucracy.” Other topics include developing legislative strategies, working with the media, and dealing with Congress and the White House.

Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, chairman of the NGA, said all governors share common issues, from highway construction to education reform.

The NGA also gives a voice to the nation’s governors when they wish to weigh in on national policy issues.

At the group’s next meeting in February, governors will tackle the issue of reforming the American high school, Warner said.

“American high schools haven’t been reformed for more than 100 years,” Warner said.

“We need to make high schools a better transition into college or into the work force,” he said.

Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said it is important for governors to speak with one voice.

“When we can come together … and say we agree on education reform, or welfare reform, those things happen,” Huckabee said.