380th Bomb Group Association

The 380th Bomb Group Association (WWII veterans' group) welcomes proposals for our future reunion sites from city convention centers/bureaus and individual hotels!

Our scheme for reunion sites was this prior to 2016 - alternating each year between the East Coast, West Coast, and the Midwest; for example: 2011 in Colorado Springs (Mountain West), 2012 in New Orleans (Southeast), 2013 in Seattle (Pacific NW), in 2014 in Norfolk (East), and in 2015 in Dallas (Central). However, in 2015 reunion attendees voted to hold future reunions in the central U.S., and not on the East or West Coasts. The 2016 Reunion was in Albuquerque and the 2017 Reunion will be in Dayton, Ohio. Should there be a reunion in 2018, we plan to hold it in New Orleans.

At this point in time, due to the age of our veterans and their widows, we are not planning much past the current year – the decision to continue to the next year will be made at the current year’s reunion.

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

• Our reunions are held in the late summer/early fall - timing depending on the weather and local events being held in the particular locale; we generally schedule between August and early November (before the fall/winter holidays begin).

• Our Reunions run from Thursdays-Sundays.

We start on Thursday with afternoon registration. Group activities (like sightseeing tours) scheduled only if there is enough interest and depending on the locale; meals on their own.
Friday is our Memorial Service (at a local chapel, military base, museum, or other venue); museum or other local attraction tours in the morning/afternoon. A welcome dinner (casual) is held Friday evening.
Saturday we have a members' meeting in the morning at the hotel, 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 30 people, and that varies over the days of the reunion, with the Friday memorial service and Saturday dinner having the highest attendance.

• The number of lodging rooms we would need would be around 15-20 or so (many of the WWII veterans travel with their families). An abundance of 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 breakfast or work out some kind of breakfast deal, this would be greatly appreciated by our members.

• Free WIFI in our meeting rooms and all guest rooms is a must.

• We try to avoid downtown/congested areas (depending on the locale), if at all possible. Local restaurants and 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. It would be preferred to have the same room for the entire time of our stay (Thursday afternoon- Sunday morning). In the hospitality room, we would like to be able to bring in our own snacks and beverages (soft drinks, water, beer, and wine) for our members.

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

Hospitality room, Thursday afternoon thru Sunday morning - seating max at one time of about 20 people, where we can bring in our own food and beverages

Approximately 15 lodging rooms, including handicapped/ADA rooms

Buffet (or plated) dinner, Friday evening - for approximately 25 people, with cash bar

Meeting room, Saturday morning for approximately 25-30 people – including podium, microphone, and AV equipment

Plated (or buffet) dinner, Saturday evening - for approximately 35 people, with cash bar and dance floor

• 2006 - Washington DC area - October 12-16 - Holiday Inn Rosslyn at Key Bridge, Virginia
• 2007 - Dayton OH - September 6-9 - Doubletree Dayton-Downtown
• 2008 - Tucson AZ - November 5-9 - Hotel Arizona
• 2009 - Savannah GA - October 14-18 - Holiday Inn Pooler
• 2010 - Branson MO - November 3-7 - Grand Plaza Hotel
• 2011 - Colorado Springs CO - August 3-7 - Marriott
• 2012 - New Orleans LA - October 31-November 4 - Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome
• 2013 – Seattle WA – July 31-August 4 – DoubleTree Suites Seattle Airport-Southcenter
• 2014 – Norfolk VA – November 5-9 – Holiday Inn Norfolk Airport
• 2015 – Dallas TX – October 14-18 – Embassy Suites Love Field
• 2016 – Albuquerque NM – October 12-16 – MCM Elegante
• 2017 – Dayton OH – September 7-10 – Crowne Plaza downtown Dayton

Please submit your questions/proposals by email to:

Barbara Gotham
380th Bomb Group Association
Email: 380th.ww2@gmail.com

Please, no phone calls.

Last updated: 29 August 2017