Bringing reunions and locations together since 1991 magazineVOL 18 | MAY/JUNE 2017 SEE PAGE 2 EXTRA EXTRA! REUNION FRIENDLY NETWORK CHANGES NAME. Military Reunion Network | MAY/JUNE 2017 | #militaryreunionsmatter FROM THE situationDESK It is official, “The Reunion Friendly Network” waivered. There has been a commitment to is now “The Military Reunion Network”. It is a veterans and the military for 25 years under change that has been in the back of my mind for Military Reunion Network. well over a year. I reached out to my dear friend, The Military Reunion Network is a network of Paul Spiewak, RFN founder, for his thoughts, people sharing a common interest and goal, to although he is not involved with the company any hold great reunions! It is also a communication longer, he said, “GO FOR IT!” network consisting of this magazine, Salute, our Founded in 1991, The Reunion Network, as it was weekly newsletter, an interactive Facebook page, originally named, supported veterans through a website AND our weekly radiocast. Each part education and resources. TRN offered step by compliments another. A post on our Facebook step instruction on the process including topics page may turn into an interview on the radiocast. A of creating RFP’s, conducting site inspections, Convention Visitor Bureau member may appear in negotiation, and contracts to name a few. The team one of our featured destinations. traveled the country connecting reunion planners The new name better reflects who we are and the with the hospitality industry. In 1998, the name community we serve. was changed to Reunion Friendly Network while maintaining the same focus and format. The name Welcome to the Military Reunion Network. remained for close to 20 years. Since the company purchase in 2013, our focus on education and connection through the addition of an Educational Summit, stronger social media Sharon presence and a weekly radio broadcast has not Sharon Danitschek, President Bringing reunions and locations together since 1991 Published by: Military Reunion Network, Inc. President: Sharon Danitschek - [email protected] - www.militaryreunionnetwork.com Subscriptions to Military Reunion Network Magazine are free of charge to qualified reunion planners. Copyright ©2017 by The Reunion Group, all rights reserved. Military Reunion Network Magazine is not responsible for opinions expressed in editorial material. The opinions are exclusively those of the authors and do not express the opinions of Military Reunion Network, its staff, its members, its advertisers, or its readership. All editorial material is for information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The Reunion Friendly Network assumes no liability or responsibility for errors, mistakes, misprints, missing information, or content of advertising. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission from the publisher. 2 Military Reunion Network | MAY/JUNE 2017 | #militaryreunionsmatter contentsTABLE OF From The Situation Desk ........................................... 2 Thank you Called To Serve ............................................................. 4 to our advertisers PAGE SPONSOR Hershey Harrisburg ..................................................... 5 3 Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside 6 Seattle Southside CVB The Power of Donations ........................................... 8 12 Dayton, OH CVB 20 Greene County, OH CVB Upcoming Events ......................................................... 9 23 Colorado Springs CO CVB 26 SeaMist Oceanfront Resort 29 Branson, MO CVB Upcoming Reunions ................................................. 17 32 Visit Plano, TX CVB 33 Newport News, VA CVB Membership Listing ..................................................19 San Diego Reunion Experts Let us host your special reunion at the Holiday Inn Bayside in beautiful San Diego. You’ll enjoy spacious and elegant guest rooms, harborview banquet rooms overlooking San Diego Bay and full service amenities. It’s the perfect reunion location for groups up to 200 people. LARGEST BANQUET: 200 FEATURES: Great hospitality rooms, airport ROOMS: 291 shuttle, senior discounts, heated pool, 4875 North Harbor Drive MEETING ROOMS: 8 whirlpool, fi tness room, 9-hold putting green, San Diego, CA 92106 restaurant, lounge, gift shop, free HBO, WiFi, VALUE SEASON: December through holinnbayside.com 37" fl at screen HDTV, coffee, refrigerators, February Call Jodie Langhammer hair dryers, newspapers, guest laundry. REUNION PACKAGE: Hospitality suite, 800.650.6660 NEAR: Across from San Diego Bay, waterfront Complimentary parking, Welcome 619.224.3621 restaurants, Liberty Station and ASW base. reception package available MCRD, Seaport Village, San Diego Zoo, Fax 619.224.1787 SeaWorld, Golf and Tennis are nearby. 3 Military Reunion Network | MAY/JUNE 2017 | #militaryreunionsmatter Called to SERVE In December of 2016 Ray Chavez, accommodation package and deal with veteran and oldest living Pearl Harbor the event logistics? The challenge was to survivor, went back to Hawaii for the plan an event in six weeks for over 600 75th Anniversary of the attack. During people where nothing was confirmed the trip the idea of a birthday celebration except the date. We did not have a was born. It came about innocently location, a hotel OR a budget. in a conversation between Called To Calls went out to our network partners Serve band founder Jeff Senour and Mr. in the San Diego area. The Holiday Inn Chavez. “Ray, is such an amazing man. Bayside was onboard within minutes. Our He should be honored!” was the thought sales contact, Jodie Langhammer was Jeff could not let go of. He had to do something, amazing, working behind the scenes with her team and fast. Ray’s birthday was March 10th so there to secure the rooms and rates we needed. With the was little time to waste. By the middle of January, hotel booked, attention turned to the venue for the an all-volunteer team began to form. Jeff’s vision event. The USS Midway Museum had expressed was also. The celebration was to be in the form of interest about participating. We were grateful for a concert that included performances by various the package they extended. Contracts were signed, artists including, The Satin Dollz, Cassidy Diana, and event insurance purchased, and we were off! Jeff’s band. Holding an event on an aircraft carrier comes with a In the beginning of February, Barb Beach, owner unique set of challenges. Chief among them getting of the Military Appreciation Channel and producer equipment on and off ship. Getting gear on board of The Military Reunion Network radiocast called included advance planning with the dock team me. The conversation started with, “I need some in charge of the shipping container used to move help.” Barb went on to explain the volunteer team heavy equipment. There are established rules in included lots of enthusiasm but no event planning the interest of safety, security, exhibit preservation experience. One of the volunteers “had a friend” at and public access. Since the USS Midway is a a local hotel and could get a great deal on rooms museum open to the public, our event day set up in San window was limited to reduce the inconvenience Diego to museum visitors. There were also limitations as for just to where staging and screens could be placed. Our sales reps Susan and Jessica were quick to suggest under floor plans that proved successful in the past and $250 a help us navigate the USS Midway event policies and night. regulations. Could I assist As with any volunteer effort most of the work fell with a to just a few. I called us the “core four”. Maggie better rounded out inner circle bringing her ticketing and concession experience. She elected to head up the 4 Continued on page 22 Military Reunion Network | MAY/JUNE 2017 | #militaryreunionsmatter Called to Pennsylvania’s Hershey SERVE Harrisburg Region Host your next reunion in a region of the country Museum, The National Civil War Museum, and that is famous for bringing great things together… the State Museum of Pennsylvania, along with the like Peanut Butter and Chocolate. We’re talking awe-inspiring artwork and craftsmanship within the about the Hershey Harrisburg Region, home for walls of the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex, which Hershey’s Chocolate and Pennsylvania’s Capital has been called a palace of art. Then there are all City. the options for theatre, dining, and nightlife. This region has become well known for these two “Our downtown is perfect for downtime,” says distinct towns that are only minutes apart, and for Sandy Stewart, the Group Tour Manager for the reunion and meeting planners the location is key to Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau. “There its appeal. is so much to do, you’ll never have a problem filling For nearly 100 years, generations of people have your schedule.” come to this region from throughout the Mid- Stewart says her clients report the destination’s Atlantic Region and from around the world to enjoy image and easy access are two major factors in the amenities and aromas of Hershey, Pennsylvania their events being so successful. - the town built on chocolate. “There aren’t many people alive who aren’t aware of The town of Hershey has Hersheypark® and a the Hershey brand and the image that instills,” says host of other wonderful attractions courtesy of Stewart. “And once you’re drawn by the promise the Hershey Entertainment & Resort Company of chocolate and sweet memories, you’ll want to including The Hershey Story Museum, Hershey come