Volunteers Needed to Assist with AMG 2014 Planning

[phildinftlaudy]

Hello All:

There is a need for some members to volunteer to handle certain aspects of planning for AMG 2014.

Namely, the needs are:

1) Securing an appropriate hotel and establishing dates for AMG2014, based on feedback given in the hotel / date selection thread(s).

2) As we move forward, there will also be a need for one or more persons to handle securing site for Meet and Greet and Memorial Service.

3) We also need at least 1  more member (and ideally 3 members) to volunteer to be on Grants Committee. Currently, it is Mitch and me.

I have had my hands full in putting together the various pre-planning threads and in trying to put together the Grants Committee. I will also be busy once Grants Committee gets up in running in securing, tracking donations and requests for assistance (along w/ the other Grants Committee member/s).

Not to be a sour-puss (is that one or two words? ), but I can't realistically be expected to pick up all of the various planning elements associated with AMG (i.e. securing hotel, dates, events, blah blah blah)... And, I don't think that it would be appropriate considering that this is a membership driven event - and I don't want there to be the perception that it is a one-member driven event.

I have previously reached out to Dennis (who has so successfully negotiated and secured hotels for previous AMGs) - but I have not heard back from him. So, he may not be available to assist with this effort this year.

I know we have some great members with superb organizational skills who look forward to AMG each year and who have attended previous AMGs. It would be great if we could get a few members to volunteer to handle the activities detailed above.

Hoping to see some excited members step forward.

Please post in this thread if there are one or more areas above where you would be willing and able to volunteer.

Thanks in advance for your understanding and your willingness!

Phil

[phildinftlaudy]

We now have three members on Grant Committee: Bocker (Mike), Mitch, and myself. We can accommodate up to two more people. Please let me know by Saturday, December 14th if interested.

Also, Will have volunteered to handle securing the location for the Memorial Service.

1) We still need someone to identify a hotel or two and find out rates.... My suggestion is to look for rates for the following dates (and see which are most reasonable with acceptable accommodations):

                   Wed July 16 thru Monday July 21
                   Wed July 23 thru Monday July 28
                   Wed July 30 thru Monday Aug 04
                   Wed Aug 06 thru Monday Aug 11

Thoughts on any of the above as possible dates?

2) Also, need someone to check into and/or secure a location for the Meet and Greet (which may be at the host hotel or other suitable location)

AMG exists because of the wonderful members of this Forum...

Please consider volunteering to assist with the above - Feel free to post your desire/willingness to volunteer in this thread.

Thanks

[aztecan]

Hi Phil,

I decided to try to find what hotels are available, so I went to Hotels.com, where I often book rooms for work.

The range of rooms seems wide, and the rates seem pleasantly low. The question I have is where would be the best location?

Would someplace closer to downtown or old San Diego be best?

Perhaps the Davids could give me a few pointers on where to look. I don't mind helping out, but I don't want to find a great rate only to learn we will be staying in Chula Vista or Oxnard (an exaggeration, but you get it.)

Suggestions?

I figure I could do the initia search through the internet, then choose a couple or three choices that look OK, give them a call and see what type of arrangements can be made.

It would be easy then to say, "pick one" to the people who want to go.

What do you think?

HUGS,

Mark

[wolfter]

I'll be glad to assist with anything that is needed.  It looks like the next step is to lock down a date and area.

I've casually mentioned before that I have a family member who the hospitality director for the University of Florida and does world wide bookings all the time.  She negotiates rates whenever we have family events.  Once we narrow it down, I'll see what magic she can pull for rates.

We recently went to Chicago for a large family wedding and she secured us a block of rooms with about a 35% discount. 

I manage quite well with the greet and meat , but I think as a group, we do pretty well with coming up with solutions for the actual meet and greet.  Chicago's was very informal and we had a great time.

Anything that helps, I'll be glad to assist.

Wolfie

[phildinftlaudy]

Hi Phil,

I decided to try to find what hotels are available, so I went to Hotels.com, where I often book rooms for work.

The range of rooms seems wide, and the rates seem pleasantly low. The question I have is where would be the best location?

Would someplace closer to downtown or old San Diego be best?

Perhaps the Davids could give me a few pointers on where to look. I don't mind helping out, but I don't want to find a great rate only to learn we will be staying in Chula Vista or Oxnard (an exaggeration, but you get it.)

Suggestions?

I figure I could do the initia search through the internet, then choose a couple or three choices that look OK, give them a call and see what type of arrangements can be made.

It would be easy then to say, "pick one" to the people who want to go.

What do you think?

HUGS,

Mark

Thanks Mark!
Perhaps the Davids could check out some locations and see what rates are available for the dates I suggested previously in this thread...

Than, Greg could see if some magic could be worked out in regards to the rates for a group booking...

Biggest thing that needs handled at this time is to narrow down to 1 or 2 hotels (in a good area), secure the rates and the dates....

Meet and Greet can happen after those areas are secured.

Thanks again guys - I know that a lot of members who love AMG and those who want to experience AMG appreciate it!

-Phil

[David_CA]

I'll be happy to help!

I've posted about a few hotels and areas that I think would work well for us, based on previous AMG's.  Get up with me via PM or via other means and we can get some options going.  San Diego is about 90 minutes away from where I live, and I go there at least once a month, if that helps.

[wolfter]

Than, Greg could see if some magic could be worked out in regards to the rates for a group booking...

Biggest thing that needs handled at this time is to narrow down to 1 or 2 hotels (in a good area), secure the rates and the dates....

Meet and Greet can happen after those areas are secured.

thanks again guys - I know that a lot of members who love AMG and those who want to experience AMG appreciate it!

-Phil

My cousin  has a few places in San Diego where she already has great secured rates.  She's indicating she needs some specifics.  If we provide her with a general area or a list of things we want close by, she can provide some general rates for different hotels.

Mostly, she said we need to tie down a date or 2 to avoid potential conflicts with other events that might be happening.  She said the number of people isn't necessary as the rate would be in blocks.  One rate for 1 - 5 rooms, a better rate for 6 - 10 room and so forth.  She also indicates that we can probably get a true block of rooms because of the advance notice.  Imagine us all on the same floor, next to each other. 

Heck Phil, you might know my cousin, she's a director at the University of Florida.  She been there 20 years or so.

[absopozilutely]

Once the dates are nailed down, i'll know if I can volunteer. I'll let my boss know i'll be gone, etc, and it depends on affordability, since I work for Marriott I might not even be staying at the same hotel, since for me its $30 a night instead of $100 a night. Anyways, i'm happy to help!