quote:

Originally posted by Sheena:
I suspect Brenda was referring to her own comment about having to change planes - but then she was making an assumption about the location.

Thanks, Sheena - it makes me feel better to think that I perhaps misinterpreted the comments about speaking up, especially this early in the planning ...

yes please and heartfelt thanks to my friends Ginger and Colleen.

(We were talking about you both this afternoon with our friend Maureen, who seemed to love Kew Gardens)
Wendy

Wendy!
I was thrilled to read that you and Ricardo would attend, so that we could meet at last!
But I hope to meet you sooner rather than later - next year when Shannon and I are in England. Then the GSTG 2008 would be a reacquaintance.

Colleen,
Somehow I had missed or forgotten that you were planing a trip over here. I would be very excited to meet you and Shannon or I should say we as I know Richard would be delighted too.

Tell me more when you know more.
We were thinking of trying to get me fit enough to visit the USA in October 2007 but it now seems to make more sense to visit for longer later and include the gstgt if we possibly can.
Wendy

Absolutely no differing opinions coming from me, at all, Colleen...I'm really giving heaps of kudos to Sheena, Kathy, Leslie and Terry for stepping up to the plate and taking on this huge, huge challenge. A GTG of this size positively needs people like these 4 amazing women to be leading the way.

As someone who has volunteered for a ka-zillion groups and helped to organize my share of events, I know only too well what a tough job this is, and I also know all too well that these wonderful organizers need all of the help and assistance that we can give them...by the looks of the posts on this topic, there is an amazing abundance of help to be had here! That's what I've come to know about ST'ers...generous to a fault, with hearts as big as the moon!

Please know that there is nothing but support and appreciation coming from me for our 4 GTG angels! In my previous post, I was merely sharing my observation about what I've seen on occasion in my life.

Sheena,
You KNOW my penchant for direct, non-stop flights! I'll be one of the first to buy my airline ticket to this GTG with delight, whether or not it involves multi-city stops. I'll also cry a lot, if it DOES, 'cause I'm a sucker for non-stop flights!

"I am thankful for the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends." ~ Nancie J. Carmody
Brenda

You guys rock! great job - you covered it all. This will be a splendid gathering!!!

Janel

Sounds like fun, but location will be the key to success.[hmmm ! [ sounds like my advice to Tuscany travelers]. We will be living in Chapel Hill NC by then--plan to move next April. I vote for April and SE USA.

Great job girls!!
I vote for the April time frame because of the conflict with Spring Breaks and Easter.
Everything else sounds perfect- I hope it is the first of many!
I would suggest trying to pick a city that Southwest fly's into so it will be afordable to a lot of people.

Great ideas.

Just a word concerning "snowbirds" and that Florida and AZ will be filled with them. Thus places fill up and charge "high season" rates.

Forewarned is forearmed, or something like that.

Just pointing out that the "team" took all holidays into account when deciding on March; in 2008, Passover is the latter part of April.

Not sure what you mean about Southwest Airlines... Guess it depends on what part of the country one is starting from.

quote:

Originally posted by Marian:

Not sure what you mean about Southwest Airlines... Guess it depends on what part of the country one is starting from.

Only that flights into cities that Southwest services tend to be a lot more reasonable because of the competition. It doesn't matter to me...I will go anywhere!

This sounds like an incredible event! I am so impressed with how organized it is with so many people involved. I would LOVE to attend and meet everyone but being in Hawaii and being a teacher limits my time off (unfortunately to spring break in March which is being avoided as well as the other busy travel times) and with the distance in flying, the only possible location I could make would be the west coast. BUT when the Maui GTG happens, I am there!

Re: Snowbirds

By the end of March/beginning of April the "snowbirds" have usually headed home.

Wishing I was one of them.

quote:

Only that flights into cities that Southwest services tend to be a lot more reasonable because of the competition.

It's no longer only Southwest. When jetBlue and other low fares enter a market, costs tend to drop there also, at least for a while.

Ann

I've kept my nose out of the planning because I know I won't have time to help.
I'm going to be one of those who gratefully attends, no matter what or where you guys settle on. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you

The only thing that will keep us away is if the weekend turns out to be during the two weeks that we are babysitting our twin grandsons while their parents go to South Africa.

Hi guys- how about New Orleans. It is in the south. It is centrally loacted. It would be great to help re-build that area. We could make it coincide with Jazz Fest. It would be great.

Dawn

quote:

We could make it coincide with Jazz Fest

Dates are wrong. Jazz Fest is usually the end of April and the beginning of May. Also, hotels, etc. book WAY FAR AHEAD for Jazz Fest. Finding places to stay would be very difficult.

Ann

As a american ST er living in Europe I must say that I miss terribly good live music that you can shake your booty to. Just think what great photos we could have of people getting silly dancing. All in it for the fun and lightness.

Kudos to those doing the planning!

April would be better for me. Airfares to Florida and Arizona go down in April from Toronto and March travel is iffy due to spring break which can vary by school district, but also the chance of a snowstorm delaying flights. Since it's only for a weekend, missing even a day would be disappointing.

Everything else sounds terrific!

Wow, I am so impressed by how much thought has already gone into this.

I know there are a lot of travel professionals here - and I am a tour operator, not a travel agent, per se - but if no one else steps up, please let me know if I can be of any assistance. I own an IATA-endorsed agency and sometimes an agent can get better group rates than an individual acting as group leader. Also, if there are 10 people traveling together from one airport on the same outbound flight, you'd qualify for group air, which sometimes can be less expensive than booking separately. I don't know how many would be coming from each location, but we might have enough from the NY area to qualify for group air.

My thoughts in terms of arrangements: try to choose a location that's a major air gateway (more likely to have less expensive and direct fights). Also, if you plan on having all the activities at the hotel, you obviously need someplace large with meeting rooms and catering; this would keep the ground transportation costs to a minimum. At most hotels, a block of rooms at a group rate can be set aside and each person can reserve and pay for their room and incidentals individually; you can then offer a package price for the group meals (although someone would have to be the point person in terms of payments, unless you can persuade the hotel to package it all together and bill everything to individuals).

Once you start to pin down specifics (date, location), if there is anything I can do, just let me know. I create and operate tours, so I'm used to dealing with group logistics, and I would love to help make this event a success.

Kaydee and team,
I am wondering if you are getting a good response on the survey?

I understand the survey is up until Nov. 30th and results will be posted in early Dec.

Thanks, J.

I have posted a couple of time up in the Announcements forum, but probably should have posted in this forum too!

We have had 108 people complete the survey so far-- we think a really good response!

The survey will remain open until the close of business (Slow Travel mountain time!) on November 30. That's this Thursday.

If you are interested in potentially attending the Gathering, please take a few minutes to give us your input on the survey.

Kathy (for our team of Leslie Erickson, Sheena, teaberry, and kaydee)

Thanks Kaydee,
I didn't notice the Annoucements post for Nov. 26th. I don't look up there very often.
J.