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 over the next four years.

''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, Jon 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 highways to education.