It's a family affair: reunion organizers get help planning events.Last July, as E. Jean Allen planned for her family reunion Often an annual event, a family reunion takes place on a specified day each year for the purpose of keeping an extended family closer together. Some reunions may be held less often. in Orlando, Florida The city of Orlando is a major city in central Florida and is the county seat of Orange County, Florida. According to the 2000 census, the city population was 185,951. A 2006 U.S. , she envisioned a magnificent, family-oriented resort that would be beautiful, unique, all-inclusive, and most of all--inexpensive. "I wanted to make sure that I selected the best hotel for my family," says Allen, who chose the luxurious, four-diamond Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate (www.omnihotels.com). "I definitely wanted to make certain that we received the lowest rate possible, with the very best accommodations." Although the rate for the Omni is $199 in the summer and up to $299 in peak season, Allen's group paid $127 per night. Gone are the days of finding the cheapest motels to accommodate your relatives. Families such as the Aliens are choosing three- to five-star hotels with fine dining and great amenities. And, being the coordinator of the reunion no longer means you do the work alone. Here are some free and low-cost resources to help you create the perfect family gathering. For starters, sites like Family-Reunion. com (www.family-reunion.com) offer a free Reunion Planner that shows you how to organize your reunion and presents ideas for activities and games. You can also provide newsletters and links to other Websites. Cyndi's List This article or section needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Alone, primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of this article are not sufficient for an accurate encyclopedia article. (www.cyndis list.com/reunions.htm) has extensive information, from books and Websites to software and printing services. What's more, the African American African American Multiculture A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. See Race. Genealogist's Family Reunion Primer (www.reunions. afrigeneas.com) provides information tailored to black coordinators for organizing and planning, food and beverages F&B is a common abbreviation in the United States and Commonwealth countries, including Hong Kong. F&B is typically the widely accepted abbreviation for "Food and Beverage," which is the sector/industry that specializes in the conceptualization, the making of, and delivery of foods. , special activities, and projects. "Families spend a great deal of money attending reunions, and the organizing committee wants them to get the most for their money," says Ione D. Vargus, founder and chair of the Family Reunion Institute for Temple University. "The committee has to think about the diverse range of ages and interests of the extended family, and, therefore, should secure as much information and utilize as many resources as possible." For example, the Family Reunion Institute (www.temple.edu/fri/familyreunion/) hosts an annual conference to educate families on organizing a family reunion. In addition, experts stress the importance of contacting the convention and visitor's bureau in the city where the reunion will be held. Once you've done all of your research, it's time It's Time was a successful political campaign run by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) under Gough Whitlam at the 1972 election in Australia. Campaigning on the perceived need for change after 23 years of conservative (Liberal Party of Australia) government, Labor put forward a to select a hotel. Feel free to have discriminating tastes when it comes to getting the very best for your family. "The hotel business is slower in the summer, and family reunions help to make up considerable revenue," says Vargus. "Even four- and five-star hotels that didn't understand or care to reach out to African American families a few years ago are doing so now." A great resource is the Hotel Planner (www.hotelplanner.com). One of the perks perk 1 v. perked, perk·ing, perks v.intr. 1. To stick up or jut out: dogs' ears that perk. 2. To carry oneself in a lively and jaunty manner. of this service is that the coordinator gets a free room. You can conveniently enter your family's accommodation requirements online, and local hotels will line up to bid for your group. Luxury hotels such as Luxe luxe n. 1. The condition of being elegantly sumptuous. 2. Something luxurious; a luxury. [French, luxury, from Latin luxus. , Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, and Omni Hotels Omni Hotels is a privately owned upscale hotel company based in Irving, Texas. Omni currently owns and/or manages 36 properties of which 4 are resorts. The company also has 2 franchise properties (Newport News, VA and Philadelphia, PA). will be rushing to e-mail their best rate to you. As for Allen, she found her accommodations for the reunion quite pleasing. "Our theme was 'Relaxation, Restoration, and Refreshing in the Lord' and that's exactly the atmosphere that was set." REUNION RESOURCES * A Family Affair by Sandra MacLean Clunies (Rutledge Hill Press; $19.99 * How to Plan Your African-American Family Reunion by Krystal Williams (Citadel Press; $14.95) * Family Reunion Planning Kit for Dummies by Cheryl Fall (For Dummies; $24.99) * Your Family Reunion by George G. Morgan (Ancestry Inc.; $16.95) * Fun and Games "Fun and Games" is an episode of the original The Outer Limits television show. It first aired on 30 March, 1964, during the first season. Opening narration for Family Gatherings by Adrienne E. Anderson (Betterway Book; $18.99) |
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