The Maine Event
A Seminar, Town Hall Meeting, and Maine Familiarization Tour
South Portland, Maine - April 26-30, 2010
Lafayette Hotels and the Greater Portland Convention and Visitors Bureau have invited Alliance members to a five-day premiere event for military reunion group leaders and reunion planners. From Monday evening through Friday, attendees will experience Maine and evaluate it as a destination for future reunions (It's a great one!). You'll also participate in seminar sessions on holding better reunions and building better reunion groups. There will be a Town Hall Meeting for open discussion of matters of interest to attendees. We expect this to be the best such event ever held for the military reunion community, bar none.
Sessions will include guided tours of Kennebunkport, the south coast of Maine, and the Maine Maritime Museum / Bath Iron Works, plus a narrated cruise on Casco Bay. Meals will include a traditional Maine Lobster Bake and a Taste of Maine multi-chef culinary event. On Thursday and Friday, you'll have the chance to experience Maine Destination Day, the very best way to learn of what the region has to offer.
The Seminar will include the Alliance's famous Ideal Reunion Workshop, sessions on topics like increasing membership and grooming new leadership, and a Town Hall Meeting for lengthy open discussion.
Who can attend - Attendees must belong to a reunion group that is a member of the Alliance, and there is a limit of two persons per reunion group. It goes without saying that all attendees should have the ability to make or influence decisions about a military reunion. (Spouses and similar companions are assumed to have that ability.)
Alliance member groups are listed here. If your group isn't on the list, you can go here to see how to join. We will waive your $25 initiation fee if you include the words The Maine Event in the Comments section of your Membership Application.
Participation fee - $99 for one person from a member reunion group, or $149 for that person and a guest in the same room. Cost includes all hotel accommodations, most meals, and admission to all events. Your fee can be refunded if you cancel before April 15, 2010.
Weather - We cannot predict the weather, but we can give you an idea what to expect. Don't worry much about winter – the last snow in Portland usually happens weeks before our scheduled visit. Portland daytime temperatures in late April are typically in the 50-70 degree range. Nighttime temperatures are typically from 40-50 degrees.
Hotel - Our headquarters hotel is the Best Western Merry Manor Inn, 700 Main Street, South Portland, Maine 04106. Rooms are complimentary for the nights of Monday, April 26 through Friday, April 30. The hotel is ADA compliant; attendees can make their special needs known on their registration form. Parking at the hotel is complimentary.
Driving directions - South Portland is 110 miles north of Boston on Interstate 95. Take I-95 to Exit 45 to US Route 1 (Main Street), or I-295 to Exit 2 to US Route 1 (Main Street).
Portland by air - Portland International Jetport (PWM) is served by seven major airlines with over 40 flights per day. It is about three miles from the hotel. NEW! Take a taxi from the airport to the Merry Manor Inn, and save your receipt. The hotel will reimburse you during the event.
NEW! Portland by rail - Amtrak has several trains daily between Portland and Boston. The Portland Amtrak station is about three miles from the hotel. Take a taxi from the station to the Merry Manor Inn, and save your receipt. The hotel will reimburse you during the event.
Arrive early - Plan to arrive Monday, April 26 and depart Saturday, May 1. Other dates are fine if you let us know in advance. We will ask you about this once we receive your Registration Form. Meals on Monday and Saturday are your responsibility.
Register now - Participation is limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. Complete your Registration Form and submit it, along with your participation fee, no later than February 15, 2010. If you prefer to pay by credit card or PayPal, you can do so by clicking the icon below. Please include your name in the Description field.
Further information - Brian Forrester, brian@hcttravel.com or 480-998-1112 (Mountain Time Zone)
 Tentative Schedule of EventsMonday, April 26
Arrival and checkin at the Best Western Merry Manor Inn.
Hospitality area opens in the Forest View Room
Dinner on your own
Tuesday, April 27
Group breakfast in the Governor's Ballroom
Alliance seminar and town hall meeting. Subjects to be announced.
Lunch, shopping, and guided tour of Kennebunkport
Dinner is an old fashioned Maine Lobster Bake
Entertainment after dinner
Wednesday, April 28
Group breakfast in the Governor's Ballroom
Alliance seminar and town hall meeting. Subjects to be announced.
Lunch and shopping on your own in Freeport, Maine
Tour of the Bath Iron Works and Maine Maritime Museum
Dinner at the Holiday Inn West
Thursday, April 29
Breakfast at Holiday Inn by the Bay
Attend Maine Destionation Day event at Holiday Inn by the Bay
Dinner is a Taste of Maine event featuring some of the finest chefs in Maine
Friday, April 30
Group breakfast at the Best Western Merry Manor Inn
Trolley tour of Portland
Lunch at the Maine State Pier
Narrated tour of Casco Bay
Free evening for those who choose to stay.
The Alliance's crack instructional staff:
 Joyce Marshall, Skip Sander, Ron Cohen, Brian Forrester, and John Baker
The Merry Manor's staff at a recent Disney retreat:
 The Merry Manor Inn:
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