380th Bomb Group Association

 

NOTICE TO BIDDERS FOR FUTURE 380TH BOMB GROUP ASSOCIATION REUNION SITES

 

The 380th Bomb Group Association welcomes proposals for our future reunion sites from city convention centers - individual hotels can also submit proposals!

Our scheme for reunion sites is this - we like to alternate each year between the East Coast, West Coast, and the Midwest. So in 2006 we were in Washington DC (East), 2007 in Dayton (Midwest), 2008 in Tucson (West), and 2009 in Savannah (East again). Therefore, 2010 could be in the West or Midwest, and so forth for succeeding years.

Please note that decisions are not made more than 18 months in advance of a reunion date.  So, for the 2010 reunion, the final site selection decision won't be made until the spring of 2009.

Here's some basic info on our reunions, to better identify hotel properties best suited for our needs:

  • Our reunions are held in the fall - timing depending on the weather and local events being held in the particular locale; we schedule between September (after Labor Day) and early November (before the fall/winter holidays begin). For example, our 2007 Dayton Reunion was held in September, and the 2008 Tucson Reunion will be in November.
     

  • Our Reunions run from Wednesdays-Sundays.

We start on Wednesday with registration and an informal buffet dinner at the hotel.

Thursday we have local optional group tours.

Friday is our Memorial Service and luncheon (usually at the closest military chapel/base). (Thursday and Friday can be interchangeable, depending on local availability of sites.)

Saturday we have a members meeting in the morning, local afternoon tours (usually on their own, not as a group), and in the evening we have a dinner/dance (more formal dinner, with a cash bar, and with a band or DJ, including dance floor, for entertainment).

Sunday, departure day.

  • Attendance over the last two years has been around 100-125, and that varies over the days of the reunion, with the Wednesday events the lowest attendance, and the Saturday dinner with the highest. The number of lodging rooms we would need would be around 60 or so (many of the WWII veterans travel with their families). An abundance of handicapped/ADA accessible rooms is a plus, along with elevator service.  Additional lodging 2-3 days prior and 2-3 days after the event at the same rate would be appreciated for those wishing to visit the area prior to or after our Reunion.
     

  • Free parking (or a minimal charge) is preferred.
     

  • If we can get free continental breakfast or work out some kind of breakfast deal, we'd appreciate that.
     

  • We try to avoid downtown/congested areas, if at all possible. Local attractions that are easily accessible or within walking distance of the hotel are also preferred.
     

  • We hire coaches to transport our group to group events/activities.
     

  • We typically have a meeting room or suite that we designate our "hospitality room" - this is for registration, members to congregate and visit amongst themselves, and also for our meeting on Saturday morning.
    It would be our preference to have the same room for the entire time of our stay (Wednesday afternoon-Saturday afternoon).
    In the hospitality room, we would like to be able to bring in our own snacks and beverages for our members.
     

  • In summary, the hotel should be able offer at a minimum:

    Hospitality room, Wed afternoon thru Sat afternoon - seating max at one time of 60-80 people (would need microphone for meeting on Sat morning)
    60+ lodging rooms, including handicapped/ADA rooms
    Buffet dinner, Wed evening - for approximately 50 people
    Plated dinner, Sat evening - for approximately 125 people - including dance floor and cash bar

Please submit your proposals by email or mail to:

Barbara Gotham
130 Colony Road
West Lafayette IN 47906-1209

Email:  bjgotham@gmail.com

Please, no phone calls.

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Last updated:  04/30/2008 05:38 PM