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Dates & Locations
Your choices of locations are endless and depend on group
size, budget, time of year and the type of activities best
suited to attendees. Start the search for a location as
early as possible for the best rates and most choices.
If you’re flexible on the dates, you’ll also
have a chance at better rates, considering peak and off-peak
seasons for certain locations. It helps to have attendees
input on good dates: whether or not holidays are appropriate
for the celebration, etc. Choose final dates based on what
works for the majority of members—you can’t
please everyone!
Some things you should consider when planning the location
for your gathering: Are there plenty of activities
that will entertain members of all ages, from kids
to senior citizens for family and church reunions? Does the location have indoor space
for those who must get out of the sun, rain, wind, etc.?
Is there a quiet place for parents with infants who need
to accommodate naps, feedings, diaper changes, etc.? Also,
the farther people have to travel to get to the reunion,
the longer the reunion should last so that they feel that
their investment of time and money is worth the trip.
Always think in terms of safety of your location, especially
when there are children attending family reunions. Any
place with outdoor recreation is a good choice, with plenty
of space for children to play and for multiple concurrent
events. You’ll want to make sure you consider the
events that you’d like to have when choosing a location—will
you need access to a kitchen, grills, tables and chairs?
Does the facility have clean restrooms, good parking, and
enough room for everyone expected to attend? Is the facility taking steps to curb its energy use? Look for hotels and other venues that are "going green."
Your local Conference and Visitors Bureau (CVB) can be
very helpful in providing assistance. In addition to hotels,
consider conference centers, state parks with housing facilities,
resorts, and college campuses. All of the activities do
not have to be held where people are housed. Picnics may
be held in a park or banquets may be held at the local
museum. Also check with the CVB for major events around
the dates that you are considering. This could either be
to avoid large crowds and filled hotels during a certain
time period, or to plan to make a festival or other event
part of the attraction to your reunion! When considering local lodging accommodations, look for options
in a range of price categories (budget, moderate, and higher-end)
to make sure there is something for everyone. If you decide
to reserve a block of rooms at several hotels, make sure
to look for lodging within your group’s per-night budget,
the location of the hotel and proximity to the reunion site,
possible shuttle service, amenities like pools, kitchenettes,
etc., and meeting space or catering services, if necessary.
Portions of this text were
inspired by The Family Reunion Institute, School of Social
Administration, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 215-204-6244.
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| University of MD Football |
Reunions are Fun in Prince George's County!
Since you're planning a reunion why not think about having a group outing to one of our attractions?
National Harbor on the Potomac is Maryland's newest gateway. It is an incredible 300-acre waterfront destination just minutes from downtown Washington, DC. From dining, to water attractions, to seasonal festivals and shows...your group will love the variety and choices National Harbor offers to all ages.
Or consider a day of play at Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor Waterpark. It's Maryland's only theme park and features more than 100 exciting rides, games, shows, and attractions.
If it's a day of sports that everyone craves check out the Bowie Baysox, ShowPlace Arena, the University of Maryland, or one of our major league teams. Whether professional, college, amateur, or recreational sports, there's always exciting action in play in Prince George's County.
Prince George's County is also home to historic sites and museums like the College Park Aviation Museum, Fort Washington National Park, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and the African-American Museum and Cultural Center.
Second only to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in number of annual performances, the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center is a vibrant community of artists, students and audiences, where great work happens both on stage and off. The Center presents approximately 1,000 events each year spanning all of the performing arts.
To find out about all the wonderful things to do at your next reunion, just click here!
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