Optimist International Convention Newsletter

June 2015
 

  

Facility

All Optimist International Convention events will take place at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside,

Two Poydras StreetNew Orleans, Louisiana70130

Attir e
man-adjusting-tie2.jpg Business attire is appropriate for all sessions and meal events.    

Hosted by First Lady Patsy Garner, the theme for this year's Appreciation Luncheon is Mardi Gras-grab a mask and celebrate! 

Formal attire is appropriate, but not required, for Saturday's President's Reception, Banquet & Ball. President Ken Garner and First Lady Patsy host this year's celebration and pr esent a Western them e.  Dress at the President's Banquet are Tuxes, Ballgowns, Boots & Pearls (Bling)! The First lady has purchased her Ball Gown, but will be wearing her cowboy boots.  President Ken will have
his Tux, boots & hat.

Get creative with your outfit and join  in on the fun sporting your  best.

How to Avoid Long Registration Lines

In order to decrease the amount of time you stand in line, please read the following information prior to your arrival in New Orleans.

  

Advanced Registration Packets

Registration lines are divided by last name. If your registration was completed online, e-mailed or mailed before the deadline and you have received a confirmation letter with no balance due, come to Advance Registration located in the Chamin Royale Foyer on the 1st Level.  


 

A registration packet for each Member includes guest and youth; applicable badge(s), ribbon(s) and tickets purchased.

 

Please make sure you have all the necessary badges and tickets before leaving the desk advance registration.

 

D on't forget to exchange your

banquet coupon for a table number.


Onsite Registration and Ticket Sales

For those who have received a confirmation letter with a balance due, have not received a confirmation letter, have not pre-registered or need to purchase tickets, come to Onsite Registration located in Marlborough B on the 2nd Level.

 

Optional meal tickets offered (based on availability).  Only one ticket allowed per registrant.

  • Appreciation Luncheon
  • Club President-Elect and Lt. Governor-Elect Breakfast
  • Foundation President's Club Member Luncheon
  • Jambalaya Cookout donation
  • Old Timers' Breakfast
  • Presidential Banquet
  • Youth tour tickets 

PLEASE NOTE: 

Convention souvenir T-Shirts will be distributed at the Ambassadors Table in the House of Optimism (exhibits) located in the Hilton Exhibition Center on the 2nd Level.

 

Translation headsets will be distributed in the registration area.

 

You must be registered to attend any Optimist International events.  The only exception is tickets for the Presidential Banquet, which can be purchased by a Member paying full registration for a non member guest for $75 US.   

HINT - are you already registered but haven't purchased meal tickets yet?  Buy before you go-contact Daniel Seddon. Doing so provides less hassle onsite.

Credentials Tables

Green tick sign in silver circle, 3d icon on white background with shadow. Lines are divided by District. 

  • Each accredited delegate must pick up voting credentials and cards. 
  • Make sure your badge lists the correct Club.  Pre-determine with your Club Members who will be picking up credentials for the Club.
  • Clubs must be paid in full before receiving credentials.  Verify with your Club Secretary-Treasurer prior to convention that the Club dues are paid in full.

Hours:

Wednesday, July 8 | 2:00-6:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 9 | 7:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.

Friday, July 10 | 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 11 | 7:45 a.m.-8:45 a.m. and 

   12:15 p.m.-1:15 p.m.

 

Important: Credentials will not be available for distribution during business sessions.  In the event of loss, the Credentials Committee may issue duplicate credentials during the times specified.

Officer-Elect Training

Thursday, July 9, 1:00-5:00 p.m.

See convention program for listing and specific room assignments.

Club President-Elect & 

Lt. Governor-Elect Breakfast

Friday, July 10, 7:00-8:15 a.m.

Grand Ballroom AB, 1st Level

If you have not purchased a ticket to the breakfast with International President-Elect Dave Bruns, there is still time.  Contact Daniel Seddon  or visit the onsite registration and ticket sales desk.

Jambalaya Cookout
Friday, July 10,  5:30-7pm
Wharf just outside the Hilton and Sponsored by the nearby Louisiana Optimist Club of Gretna Westbank
You are in for a treat!  Come out and enjoy  a taste of New Orleans and network with hundreds of other Optimists friends.

Volunteer Opportunities

Save the Children Service Project: Get Ready. Get Safe. Prep Rally

Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - 12 to 4pm

Hilton New Orleans Riverside

Riverside Complex (Chart rooms)

Join us and learn everything you need to run a Prep Rally, Save the Children's program that teaches children and families about emergency preparedness through play. Stay after the training for a volunteer project-we'll be putting together 500 disaster supply kits for children in New Orleans. This FREE event will be open to adult convention attendees and guests in addition to the youth Members who are attending the JOOI Convention. To confirm your attendance, you must RSVP no later than June 26. To submit an RSVP, click here. For more information regarding the activities planned, visit Optimist International's Save the Children Prep Rally Facebook event page.

 

Caf? Hope Service Project

Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - 8am to 3:30pm
Wednesday, July 8, 2015 - 10am - 2:30pm

Hilton New Orleans Riverside

Caf?? Hope is in need of up to 14 volunteers each day to assist in painting two class rooms for the students enrolled in their unique program. Volunteers will be served lunch prepared by the staff of Caf? Hope. Caf? Hope is a non-profit restaurant based out of New Orleans that teaches at-risk young adults culinary skills. This FREE event will be open to adult convention attendees and guests. To confirm your attendance, you must RSVP no later than June 26. To submit an RSVP, click here. For more information regarding the activities planned, visit Optimist International's Caf? Hope Service Project Facebook event page.


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Schedule
Convention opens on Wednesday, July 8, and the fun will not end until everyone leaves Sunday, July 12 (after the Presidential Banquet on Saturday night, July 11). Click here  for a detailed schedule. Be sure to check this page frequently for updates.

Advance Registration

Hilton Chemin Royale Registration Counters:

 

Wednesday, July 8

2:00-6:00 p.m.

 

Thursday, July 9 

7:30 a.m. -6:00 p.m.

 

Friday, July 10

7:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

 

PRESIDENT'S BANQUET COUPON EXCHANGE 

Hilton Exhibition Center, 2nd Level:

 

Friday, July 10

10 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

 

Saturday, July 11

8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The Sights & Sounds of New Orleans

Ribbons Available

 

Club
President and President-Elect

 

District

Governor, Governor-Elect, Past Governor, Secretary-Treasurer, Secretary-Treasurer-Elect, Lt. Governor and Lt. Governor-Elect

 

International

President, President-Elect, Past Vice President, Past  Board, Past President, Ambassador and Field Representative

 

Other

First Timers, Host Area Committee, Sergeant-at-Arms and Diplomat

 

Foundation

See Foundations kiosk


Daily Activities & Workshops

For a sneak preview of the detailed daily activities schedule, click here.  

 

To view a complete listing of the New Orleans Experience workshop selections, click here.

jumping_schoolkids.jpg

Parents of Registered Youth

Once parents have picked up their registration packets, all parents and youth are required to check in at the youth information room located in Chequers on the 2nd Level of the Hilton Riverside.

3d human character with a red megaphone - 3d render

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Timers Orientation

Thursday, July 9

10:00-11:30 a.m.

Calling all First Timers! Napoleon Ballroom on the 2nd Level.

Motorized Scooter and Wheelchair Rentals
Contact Darren at Mr. Wheelchair, 800-548-9672  to receive a special offer for a $30 discount per scooter rental from the website price. For example: 3-day rental is $180 discounted to $150, 4-day rental is $200 discounted to $170, etc. Members calling to rent need only mention the Optimist International convention when calling. Mr. Wheelchair offers a wide selection of walkers, manual wheelchairs, scooters, power wheelchairs, custom wheelchairs and custom medical equipment.
Parking
Parking is available at the hotel and Premium Parking is offering a 10% discount on overnight covered parking (normally $27.00 per 24 hours) located three blocks from the hotel. In order to receive the discount, you will need to reserve your parking space ahead of time. The discount is being offered July 6-13, 2015. If you will be arriving before or after the discounted dates, the regular rates will apply. To reserve your space click here  and use Promo code: OIPARK 
Roommate Wanted?

If you would like to share expenses with another Optimist Member, please let us know. We have one man and one woman interested. Send an e-mail to convention@optimist.org.

Contact Us
Questions?
If you have any questions, please call (800) 500-8130, ext. 205 or ext. 221 or send an e-mail to