2015 Surratt Conference

[L Verge]

About six weeks to go before the 2015 Surratt Conference and we are going great guns. This should be the largest turnout yet. We already have over 130 registrants, both of the special tours are filled, and we have had to add a second Booth Tour bus for Sunday's venture. The first bus, narrated by James Swanson, filled within ten days. We now have a second bus, narrated by one of our regulars, John Howard, running twenty minutes behind the first. It currently has 25 participants (50 seat capacity bus).

The hotel is filling up also, so please book rooms if needed. The rate goes up in mid-February, and there is a late-registration fee for the conference sessions after March 1 (now $175 - then $190). Seating capacity may be at a premium after we reach 140. After that, we may have to ask anyone under the age of 40 to sit on the floor in front of the speaker....just kidding, I think.

Colony South Hotel and Conference Center is just five minutes from Surratt House and the only facility within thirty miles that can provide sleeping rooms, meeting rooms, and banquet rooms with a full-time chef - all under one roof.

[STS Lincolnite]

Laurie,

FYI, I called on January 4 to reserve my room and was told at that time that all the rooms with the conference rate had already been taken. I was able to do a little negotiation and got a comparable rate though.

Look forward to the conference, seeing old friends and meeting new ones!

[Dave Taylor]

I just tried to reserve a room at Colony South using the conference rate and was also told that the block of rooms was sold out. Laurie, any chance you could contact them and convince them to open up some more rooms?

[L Verge]

(01-31-2015 08:16 PM)Dave Taylor Wrote:  I just tried to reserve a room at Colony South using the conference rate and was also told that the block of rooms was sold out. Laurie, any chance you could contact them and convince them to open up some more rooms?

I have already been told twice that there is no problem with getting rooms. I will check again on Monday.

However, I know of two people who have actually gotten cheaper rates (without breakfast). Breakfast on Saturday is included in your registration price and served with us in the conference area.

[Thomas Thorne]

Dear Laurie
I experienced the same problem as Dave. Colony South told me today the block of rooms set aside for the conference weekend had been sold out. Oddly they said there were still Surratt conference room rates available for March 15.

I reached an understanding with the hotel that if I booked the room now for 3/20 &3/21 now at regular rates-which I did -and they made more rooms available at the conference rate I should ask them to cancel the existing reservation and rebook at the conference rate. There is no cancellation fee.

Any help you can give us would be greatly appreciated.
Tom.

[L Verge]

I was on the phone with the reservations manager at Colony South Hotel and Conference Center at 9 am this morning, and she sends her apologies for any confusion with her staff. The hotel went under new management about a year-and-a-half ago, and their telephone system became unfriendly and automated recently. I was told that, especially during the weekends, callers who push button #2 for reservations as instructed may end up talking with Central Reservations somewhere in the hinterland.

Tom - I waited while she assured me that she had changed your reservation to the conference rates. I would still double-check just to back it up. For all others needing to make reservations: THE CUT-OFF DATE FOR THOSE SPECIAL RATES IS FEBRUARY 18. Please call Felicia Johnson directly at 301-877-4816 to assure a correct booking. If you experience any problems at any time from now through the conference, please let me know.

[Wild Bill]

FYI, I changed over from a regular booking to the Surratt Society booking this morning and it was $3 a night cheaper plus breakfast included.

[L Verge]

I am now faced with an over-crowding issue as far as space for the Friday reception and the Saturday sessions. Anyone who has already received the conference registration packet is welcome to still pay. However, we are pulling publicity and advising via our website that anyone else interested should contact the museum for availability.

We prefer classroom seating at tables, but that is near capacity. Theater-style is a possibility if worse comes to worse. If you can bring your own meat hook for suspending from the ceiling, it would be appreciated!

[HerbS]

Thanks for the information Laurie,what a nice problem to have! See what happens when you have a very interesting program.That is a form of "hooking before pulling".

[L Verge]

(02-04-2015 08:13 AM)HerbS Wrote:  Thanks for the information Laurie,what a nice problem to have! See what happens when you have a very interesting program.That is a form of "hooking before pulling".

We knew this day was coming because our attendance has steadily increased each year. At the first one in 2000, we were disappointed in having only 46 people. Someone who had organized conferences before told us that was a great figure for a first-timer with a limited subject matter. The rest is history.

[Wesley Harris]

(02-03-2015 05:58 PM)L Verge Wrote:  I am now faced with an over-crowding issue as far as space for the Friday reception and the Saturday sessions. Anyone who has already received the conference registration packet is welcome to still pay. However, we are pulling publicity and advising via our website that anyone else interested should contact the museum for availability.

We prefer classroom seating at tables, but that is near capacity. Theater-style is a possibility if worse comes to worse. If you can bring your own meat hook for suspending from the ceiling, it would be appreciated!

Could you move book sales into the hallway to make more room?

[L Verge]

We considered it, but that means that my staff manning the sales won't hear the speakers. The table cannot go unmanned in a public area. I talked with the set-up manager yesterday and we'll meet with him soon, but I think we can fit 130 at tables (my staff and the exec. bd. don't get one of the seats) and add about 20 regular seating in rows. As for Friday evening's reception, please pray for warm weather so that our picnic area can be utilized if necessary when the main area fills.

[Sally]

I'll be attending the conference and both of the "field trips" (CAN'T WAIT!!!) I'm assuming Terry Alford will have copies of "Fortune's Fool" available??? Laurie, do you know, or should I place my pre-order on Amazon? Thanks.

[LincolnToddFan]

(02-04-2015 10:12 AM)L Verge Wrote:  

(02-04-2015 08:13 AM)HerbS Wrote:  Thanks for the information Laurie,what a nice problem to have! See what happens when you have a very interesting program.That is a form of "hooking before pulling".

We knew this day was coming because our attendance has steadily increased each year. At the first one in 2000, we were disappointed in having only 46 people. Someone who had organized conferences before told us that was a great figure for a first-timer with a limited subject matter. The rest is history.

I agree with Herb, Laurie. This is a great problem to have, even though you sound a little stressed. This sounds like it's going to be a resounding success!

[STS Lincolnite]

Laurie,

Are there any updates on who will be participating in the author's hour at this years conference?

I am already counting the days until the conference!