Start Thinking About Phoenix
 

I'm pulling together some ideas and social recommendations for 2007 Convention--

If you all have any requests, let me know because I'll be talking to IHQ about fun stuff to do here.


Bobra
Phoenix AP

Funny you should ask this...
myself, SnowLady, and GreekPeach are ALL singers and would really like to sing!

I also play the oboe and have a gorgeous arrangement of Handel's Largo that I could play. I would of course need piano accompaniment but I'm sure we could work that out.

PLEASE have them pick a better menu. LOL

As for social things, I was looking at my scrapbook from convention 97 and I saw chapter reunions. I noticed we didn't have that this time around. I think that would be alot of fun!!! :)

Yes, time for chapter reunions would be great. Funny about the music, about 30 people signed up to help with music and when the person in charge at IHQ sent out an email she only got a few responses...so sorry if we were not that great. We learned those cheers minutes before we performed them!

Ditto!!!

Like the chapter reunion idea. Maybe a reception of some sort for Life Loyal AOIIs? Really liked the PIP History Book signing in Atlanta. Of course, the more PIP storytelling, the better! I wonder if the PIPs would do a "free time" storytelling session at the next one? We could submit questions in advance and listen for as long as they would talk with us. I would *love* something like that (and would pay for a box dinner to go along with the session!)

I enjoyed my tour on Friday night, but would have liked a little more info beforehand (specifically that our meal was first and then the tour!) I don't know when the main free time block will be scheduled in 07 or what's available to tour in the late afternoon or evening out there? It would be nice to receive some "free time" suggestions in our packets as well if we elected to not do an official tour (or if the tour you sign up for is cancelled.) I had no clue that a Hard Rock was 2 blocks away in Atlanta, darn it!

Can we have a business session in one of those gorgeous pools? Okay, enough wishful thinking from me.

Other than that, I noticed that the hotel staff didn't seem to be prepared for break times (coffee lines, anyone?) or evening free times (Champions :D). I put this on my evaluation, but letting the hotel know when our breaks or free times are planned for might help in keeping lines down.

And, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE make sure that they have vegetarian options!!! Even if they are not vegan. At the Strike Out Arthritis BBQ at LI, I specifically requested vegetarian. I had the choice of a hot dog, a hamburger, baked beans (with bacon in them), and cole slaw. EEWWW....
I even asked the hotel staff, and they seemed stunned by a vegetarian request.

Co-sign.

SUPER co-sign.

Silver's thoughts...Please make sure that the educational sessions, business, etc. have appropriate breaks at the 45 minute or 1 hour mark. Silver Mom and I SWORE that we were going to have to go shoe shopping because our feet swelled so badly at LI from sitting. Now, I am ALWAYS up for shoe shopping..but, truly, shoe shopping is so much more fun when your feet look cute. ;)

Please see if there are some neat educational tours. I am vaguely thinking about a living pioneer history museum, a famous mansion, and zoos?? Am I hallucinating?
Roses to the most amazing Gal around ;),
Silver

Since we'll be in arizona, maybe a tour of the rock formations, mountains, etc?

Spa discounts for sisters?

just a few random thoughts on free time.

Movie night?

Tshirt swap (i liked that idea from LI)

PIPs -
* I cosign on the PIP storytelling with advance questions. They have so many to tell that I know it must be hard to think of things on the spot. I think that my new favorite is Carol's ASU story.
* I also think that they should do another booksigning.

Food Service -
* A gentle reminder to the wait staff. Ladies are to be served first! It peeved me and embarrassed my husband and another IIOA that they were served before the ladies.
* Have another option to BBQ because I can certainly be a vegetarian for one night. I greatly dislike ribs and coleslaw.
* The tea was a nice idea but there weren't enough scones for our table and they couldn't get more.

Activities -
* Cosign Life Loyal reception
* I like historical speakers but Dr. Weinstein was pretty good too.
* Perhaps free time could be scheduled earlier to take in some sights while the sun is out. Well, since it's AZ in June, maybe we don't want to be in the sun. ;)
* My IIOA and another are already making plans to hit the links. It might be nice if there was a special tee time on the course for all the IIOAs one day.
* Also maybe a IIOA gathering in the hospitality suite during one of our business sessions? That way they can get to know each other.

Misc. -
* Could there be special prices for those arriving early or staying later like at the Orlando convention?

FYI about the free time - the last 2 Conventions it was in the early morning - 8am to 12 noon, with no lunch going into business session for 3 hours :rolleyes: ...you couldn't do anything fun like a tour or anything, which is why it was moved... I frankly preferred the Friday night option - that and it helps battle back that sleep depreviation!

As for the reunions, some participants have asked for that, but they found that those from a particular chapter who go already know each other, so it didn't have the same success rate as it did at Centennial in 1997 where over 1300 AOII's were in attendance ....

And the food at least had SOME variety - at least it wasn't chicken, chicken, chicken - oh - and chiiiickeeeen - ... but yes, I was a bit suprised about ribs as they ARE messy ... and at least you got refills on the tea - that's a first in the 5 I've been too :cool:

WOW!!! You got drink refills? We literally had to beg for them at our table at almost every meal!

My advice is almost for the other side. I was surprised by the number of people that didn't realize that if you don't want coffee turn your cup over. Or to place your utincils on the plate when you are finished. I think it's hard enough to serve 500+ people let alone GUESS what they want. I know several of the wait staff I had were as flustered with our "service" to them as we were with them.

I missed having the morning or afternoon freetime. Specifically what I missed was the number of people at the hotel after the last session SOCIALIZING! Where was everyone? Because they weren't on the Garden Level and they weren't in Champions. :(

I concur about giving the hotel staff our schedule to help them schedule their staff. Extra coffee help when we break would have been ideal. Having the other drink areas ready would have been useful as well. AND letting them know that for the most part we pay for ourselves. Not like some business convention where one night I'd expense it and the next you would. Those are all my bills!

Of course I'm all for PIP-telling and state meets. And I talked to hubby that if I were able to go to AZ that he should come out Friday night and we could spend time past convention as a mini vacation - so I think I'd love to see a Saturday links event.

My roommate made the suggestion to me that we need to take into account those people that come alone and even perhaps for the first time. Of course we're a social fraternity and sisters and no one should ever feel out of place - but how can those that come alone meet people?? (Wish I had the answer to this. I think the Convention welcome prior to the first dinner is part of the answer, but perhaps not the only answer.)

Oh and I like the Life Loyal get together. I think LifeLoyal's should be recognized at the same food service as when CA's, CPs, APs etc are recognized.

AOIIGal are we giving you the kind of feed back you are looking for? I'll keep brainstorming for other thoughts/ideas.

I can now stay for free since my mom will be living in Chandler!
Yay...

P.S. Bobra, the move went well and she seems to like it...she's just a little bored and lonely. I'll get her your number soon. I'm going to be out there for the weekend of the 15th since it's her birthday.

Amen to that.

The only convention I attended was more than a decade ago at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. (I can't remember which year that was.) I was in my early 20s and was the Tulsa Alumnae President. My teeny tiny alumnae chapter could only send one delegate and there were no Oklahoma collegiate chapters at the time. I knew NO ONE at that place. I am pretty good at making do, and I met some very nice people, but when free time came around I was always inviting myself to tag along with groups that knew each other well. It was awkward. Plus, for my age group, it was strange - most of the attendees were either collegiates or were much older than me. The age didn't matter to me - I was used to it as I was the only member of my alumnae chapter under the age of 45. I would have socialized with anyone who
asked. It is just intimidating when the collegiate chapters send a small group, so they all hang together, and many of the alumnae have been networking with each other for years.

I don't mean for that to sound whiny - I just remember that feeling and I want everyone who forks out the money to go to convention to get the most out of it that they can. If they enjoy themselves, they will go back to their alumnae chapters and inspire others to go, or at least to be excited about AOII.

Bobra, good luck with all the work you will be doing for this convention. We are lucky to have you working on this!

Ah shucks...thanks Silver...I sure missed you and your mama being there!

Well, we're having an appetizer and dessert get together/meeting on July 16 in Chandler - let me know if you want to stop by!