Confidential 24-Hour Helpline 888-ADMIT-IT Confidential 24-Hour Helpline 888-ADMIT-IT

Confidential 24-Hour HelpLine 888-ADMIT-IT Confidential 24-Hour HelpLine 888-ADMIT-IT December 5, 2012 Mr. Keith S. Whyte Executive Director National Council on Problem Gambling 730 11th Street, NW, Suite 601 Washington, DC 20001 Dear Keith: Please accept the information contained herein as the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling’s formal proposal to host the 28th National Council on Problem Gambling’s Annual Conference in July 2014 in the state of Florida. While there are many acceptable hotel venues in this state, with the help of Mr. Robert Fraser at Experient we have chosen the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress as the preferred site for the 2014 National Conference. Many of the attributes which made this state and hotel the ideal location are described in detail in the proposal criteria below. However, there are many key highlights worth mentioning! First, Florida has earned its reference as “the sunshine state” for a reason; its warm weather and blue sky’s make this the perfect location for a summer getaway. The hotel’s close proximity to Orlando area theme parks such as Walt Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studio’s, and many others, makes it ideal for conference attendees traveling with family to the conference. The hotel offers shuttles to and from Orlando International Airport (MCO), the closest commercial airport to the world-class Orlando attractions, and a variety of transportation options to local theme parks and attractions. With available dates at the Hyatt of July 8-14, 2014, the timing is ideal for those wishing to visit sunny Florida with their family! The hotel is offering complimentary meeting and event space with food and beverage minimums, one complimentary Presidential Suite, two Junior Suite’s at the group rate, five staff rooms at $99, and five complimentary parking spaces. Discount internet connections at registration and in each meeting room if Swank AV is the sole provider of AV, and Internet included in the guest rooms included in the hotel fee of $100 also make this hotel and attractive option. Finally, if the meeting is booked by December 31, 2012 there are additional concessions as outlined below in the proposal. In the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling’s 25 year history, experience with both meeting planning and conference execution make its staff the ideal group to host the National Council on Problem Gambling’s 2014 Annual Conference. Hotel and area specifics are highlighted below. 1) Hotel Information (0-40 points) a. Assessment of overall hotel appearance, upkeep, location, services and amenities? The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is an award winning hotel situated on 1,500 acres in the Lake Buena Vista area, close to Orlando’s many famous theme parks. The legendary resort completed its extensive transformation with a modern restyling of all 65,000 square feet of meeting space as an extension of the guest tower renovations that were completed in 2009. With 815 sleeping rooms and 28 meeting rooms, the size of this hotel is optimal for this conference. The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress offers a variety of recreational activities, including 45 holes of Jack Nicklaus Signature Design golf, racquet club, a 21-acre lake with water sports, a ½ acre lagoon swimming pool with waterfalls, waterslides, and Camp Hyatt children’s programs. With complimentary transportation provided from the hotel to and from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Sea World, and a variety of transportation options available for guests arriving by plane, getting around is easy so guests have one less thing to worry about! b. Assessment of food and beverage costs? Food and beverage pricing will be guaranteed six months prior to group arrival. If a minimum of 25 meals are purchased for a sit-down meal function there will be no service fee. There will be no other special labor or service fee(s) for any Group food and/or beverage functions. Hotel is relying on a minimum $80,000 in food and beverage revenue. c. How closely does the proposed sleeping room block size & date compare to the requirements? The proposed sleeping room block size (60 – 250 rooms depending on day), and date of July 8 – 14, 2014 is on target with the requirements of the conference. 1 | P a g e Confidential 24-Hour HelpLine 888-ADMIT-IT Confidential 24-Hour HelpLine 888-ADMIT-IT d. How close is the proposed sleeping room block price to the target rate? With a sleeping room block rate of $159 and five staff rooms offered at $99 per night, the rate is comparable to past conference room block pricing. e. Additional considerations & concessions? Concessions: 1. Complimentary meeting and event space with F&B min = $80,000 2. Complimentary exhibit space with F&B min = $80,000 3. One complimentary Presidential Suite 4. Two Junior Suite at the group rate 5. Five staff rooms at $99.00 6. Five complimentary parking spaces 7. Complimentary receiving and shipping of first ten boxes 8. Twenty one day cut off 9. 15% allowable guest room attrition 11. Discount internet connections at registration if SWANK AV sole provider of AV 12. Discount internet connection in each meeting room for presenters, if SWANK AV sole provider of AV 13. Complimentary pads and pens or pencils provided in classroom set ups 14. Internet in guest rooms included in Hotel fee of $100 Hot Deal – if the meeting is booked by December 31, 2012 and we book 75 – 150 peak room nights, we will receive complimentary continental breakfast on a 1:1 basis (Retail value $29pp++). If we book over 150 peak room nights we receive complimentary lunch for all attendees on a 1:1 basis (Retail value $42pp++). f. Rate the proposed plenary space compared to the requirements? The recently renovated meeting space boasts beautiful rooms sufficient to serve as the conference’s plenary space. It is suggested that the Grand Cypress Ballroom serve as the plenary meeting space. This room is located downstairs with easy lobby and outside access and will easily accommodate rounds of 8 with projection screens, stage, podium, table and chairs for panel’s, and any other seating style deemed appropriate. g. Rate the proposed breakout space compared to the requirements? The Grand Cypress A, B, C, G, H, and I are proposed for breakout space and are located adjacent to the Plenary Session Room, making for easy and quick access throughout the day. Any style seating in each of these rooms is possible and will meet the conference requirements. h. Rate the proposed exhibitor space compared to the requirements? Exhibitor space is slated for Regency Hall and there will be ample room for break’s and refreshments to be held here if deemed appropriate to increase exhibit attendance. The current exhibit hall rental is waived. Exhibit hall includes set-up and dismantle days, general lighting, standard heating and/or air conditioning, daily maintenance and vacuuming of aisles. 2) City/Area (0-40 points) a. Transportation Options i. Airport 1. Frequency of flights, number of major carriers, cities served? The Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the primary airport utilized for visitors frequenting the Orlando area. Ranked the #2 Airport in Florida, #13 in the United States, and #27 in the world, MCO serves over 35,400,000 passengers annually with 67 airlines offered for ease of travel. MCO offers scheduled non- stop service to over 90 U.S. destinations and 35 International destinations, with an average of 849 flight operations per day. For guests seeking a lower cost flight alternative in select cities, Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) offers that option. With 8 airlines flying from 48 different U.S. cities and 29 International locations (Canada, Europe, and South America), 1,577,307 passengers utilized this airport for travel to the Orlando area in 2011 alone. 2. Assessment of cost and availability of public/private transportation options from airport to hotel? From MCO – Transportation is offered to and from the hotel and airport (MCO) through Mears Transportation Shuttle, Mears Town Car, and Non-Mears Taxi Service. 2 | P a g e Confidential 24-Hour HelpLine 888-ADMIT-IT Confidential 24-Hour HelpLine 888-ADMIT-IT i. Mears Transportation Shuttle: Cost: Age 12 and older $21 one-way, $34 roundtrip; Age 4 – 11 $17 one- way, $27 roundtrip ii. Mears Town Car: Cost approximately $65-75 each way Non-Mears Taxi Service: Are available on the Ground Transportation Level on both the A and B sides of the Main Terminal of the Airport. Approximately $55 one-way iii. Skyline Destination Management: Full service company specializing in ground transportation. Skyline works with you to build customized transportation that meets your specific travel needs. For reservations and rates please visit www.STLVIP.com. From SFB – Transportation is offered to and from the hotel and airport (SFB) through Mears Transportation, Yellocab Taxi, Horizon Coach Lines (most economical), and Orlando Carriers. i. Mears Transportation: offers Town Cars - $135 each way ii. Yellowcab Taxi Service:$129-$135 each way iii. Horizon Coach Lines (formerly American Coach): Varying rate, must call 48 hours in advance: 7am-7pm- $32 per person; $60 roundtrip. After Hours (7pm-7am)- Rates start at $110 one way for up to two people iv. Orlando Carriers: Shuttle Bus - $35 one way; $70 round trip per person (Between 11am and 7pm); After hours about $120 one way, rate per person would be lower if more than one person is traveling. ii. City/Area 1. Assessment of cost and availability of public/private transportation options in town? There is a variety of affordable transportation options available, as well as transportation provided directly by the hotel for individuals wishing to travel around town.

Load more