Looks like some changes in the 1998 VTR convention plans.
mjb.
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Date: 24 Nov 1997 13:52:59 -0600
From: "Lindberg, Andrew (MN12)" <Andrew.Lindberg@CORP.honeywell.com>
Subject: VTR Convention Update
Dear Triumph Newsletter Editors:
Minnesota Triumphs (the club hosting the 1998 - 75th anniversary - VTR
National Convention) has had to change the location of the convention from
Winona, Minnesota to Hudson, Wisconsin. If you would like to include
something on this in your newsletter on this, the following is a slightly
edited version of what appeared in our December newsletter. Feel free to
use what you want or put it into your own words. If you have any questions,
please contact me. And if you'd like to pass it on to any other Triumph
editors/folks, feel free to do so. I should also have new registration
forms available soon and one has been sent to Ken Streeter to upload at the
VTR web site.
Andy Lindberg
VTR Convention Moves to Hudson
by Andy Lindberg (editor, Minnesota Triumphs newsletter)
Plan A for the Vintage Triumph Register National Convention was to hold it
in Winona, Minnesota at a to-be-built Holiday Inn. In October, the
developer (the Rivers Hotel Group) told us that they could not complete this
facility in time for the convention.
The Minnesota Triumphs Club was concerned with this development but not
alarmed. After all, they had a contingency plan (Plan B). Plan B involved
using the Rivers Group's Riverport Inn as the host facility with overflow
rooms available at other Winona facilities.
Unfortunately, during November things went from bad to worse in Winona:
(1) The Rivers Hotel Group told us that they could not make available the
back-up facilities they had promised us at the Riverport Inn. This was
apparently due to management incompetence.
(2) The Rivers Group then told us that they would not keep their commitment
to honor the Holiday Inn's $60/room price at the Riverport. This was
apperently due to unvarnished greed.
(3) The Rivers Group and the City of Winona couldn't find adequate parking
places for cars, vendors, swap meets, trailers, etc.
The City of Winona and the Winona Convention Bureau both championed our
cause with Mike Rivers, the owner of the Rivers Group, but to no avail.
It's unfortunate that a nice city like Winona is afflicted with him.
Since Winona could no longer host the convention, a change had to be made.
And it had to be made rapidly because the convention is getting closer.
Enter Plan C, which involves two major changes from Plan A and Plan B:
1. The convention has been moved 100 miles upriver to Hudson, Wisconsin.
The primary hotel will be the Hudson House. Two additional hotels (the
Super 8 and the Comfort Inn) will also be primary convention hotels.
Overflow lodging is available at the Fairfield Inn and Holiday Inn Express
& Suites.
2. The dates for the convention have been be changed slightly from 7/22-25
to 7/21-24. In other words, the convention will run Tuesday through Friday
rather than Wednesday through Saturday. The date change was necessitated by
prior commitments at several of the Hudson hotels.
The following are the advantages of the Hudson location:
* Adequate lodging facilities are available.
* The Hudson dog track has a large, empty parking lot for the autocross.
* Banquet and vendor facilities are available.
* Prices are similar to the original prices quoted for Winona.
* The hotels are just off I-94 for good access, but are also close to good,
and uncrowded, driving roads.
* Non-Triumph family members will be much closer to the Mall of America
Hotel data:
The main hotel will be the Hudson House. Registration, the banquet, and
several other functions will be held at the Hudson House. Rooms are
available at $69/night. (715-386-2394)
There are two co-host hotels: First is the Super 8, where the Tuesday
reception will be held. Rooms are available at $56-65/night.
(715-386-8800) The other co-host is the Comfort Inn with rooms ranging
from $51-60/night. (715-386-6355) Both the Super 8 and the Comfort Inn are
within a block of the Hudson House.
There are two additional recommended hotels located several blocks away.
First is the Fairfield Inn with rooms at $63/night. (715-386-6688) Second
is the Holiday Inn Express and Suites. The Holiday has rooms at $68/night
and suites at $85/night. (715-386-6200)
Summary: It's unfortunate that the location change had to be made, but
there was no workable alternative. Hudson promises to be a great location
and this will still be the best 75th Anniversary Convention ever.
(Note: If plan C doesn't work, the entire leadership of Minnesota Triumphs
has signed a pledge to commit ritual octogonation, and trade in their TR's
on MG Midgets.)
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