Jim Royer
Ben, What better endorsement of a
product or a service then to talk to
a well satisfied customer. The 106
Division has used the services of the
AFR, Inc. for the past several years. A
good friend, John Schaffner, a
past president of the 106 has offered to
respond to any questions or
inquires concerning the services of the AFR,
Inc., especially after last
year when their reunion was first to be at New
Orleans during Katrina.
The AFR had to relocate them twice, finally settling
in Washington, D.C.
John told me that every thing went very well.
I
repeat, once again, I was the only board member who voted against the one year
reunions, knowing how much is involved, as we are now finding out. Only four
months away from Portland, and we have very little information thus far, and no
location for '07.
If there are any skeptics out there concerning using the
AFR, Inc. I
invite them to write to John. His e-mail address is:
pumexim2@cpl.net
In previous years, the
106 even received a rebate after the reunion.
So fire away, John is
listening.
Jim Royer
Bill Christian
Ben, regarding the contracting of the National
Reunion by a professional company seems to still be under questionable
discussion. I submitted a number of questions and suggestions which should give
the board some idea as to the final steps needed to make a final decision. I
have a another suggestion which I have also forwarded to Gene for his review.
Since there will be two reunions in the near future where probably the majority
of troopers who attend these reunions will be the same troopers who would attend
a National reunion what better place and time to conduct a discussion and poll
to help in making a proper decision. I think this would be helpful to the board
.Thanks Bill
Daniel Curtis
No problem downloading either song Ben. Great addition! Thanks
Dan
John Schaffner --106 I. D.
Hi Jim (& Ben),
Yes, happy to endorse AFR, Inc. Our 106th I.D.
Association has used them
for a lot of years, don't remember exactly. When
you give them a city and
dates they will do all of the leg work; negotiate
with the hotel(s) for the
best rates, set up bus tours to attractions, line
up entertainment for a
banquet, etc. Their fee to the organization is
(currently) $5 per
registrant which is included in the registration fee. If
one would cancel
within the limit it would only be a forfeiture of the $5.
The individual pays
his hotel separate from the registration. The
registration includes things
like the meals to be provided by the hotel to
the group (banquet,
luncheons), any activities involving cost, like a bus
tour or theater show.
All that would be prepaid to AFR.
In the past we
have had enough participants to earn some free room-nights.
This varies by
hotel and the organization allots them to deserving people
within the
organization.. The 106th Association has received free
room-nights and
rebates in the past based on participation. AFR negotiates
"kick-backs" from
hotels, bus companies, and other providers and when the
group is big enough
it can amount to a considerable amount rebated to the
organization. During
the years I was involved we had between 300 & 400
participants. Last
year New Orleans was scheduled for 28 August and it was
washed out (no pun
intended.) AFR offered to relocate and reschedule and we
accepted Arlington,
VA for 4-7 Nov. This upset a lot of plans for a lot of
folks but nonetheless
we still drew 175. AFR had to scramble. We had just
been to D.C. in 2001 so
many were not too enthused about returning there so
soon again. And, of
course other plans had been laid.
Any questions feel free. Just don't use the
e-mail address as Jim quoted it.
It is pumexim2@bcpl.net
All the
best, John
Bob Piper
Ben, I have been receiving mail calls OK.
Although, as an "honorary
517'er" I only relate
to a relatively small percentage of the
traffic
I thoroughly enjoy "kibitzing" the exchanges
so keep me on the
receiving end .
I trust this finds you and yours weathering
the cold and
looking forward to Spring.
My best airborne regards.
Bob Piper, Old
505 and honorary 517.