|
Hello and Happy New Year to all CCLs, Quartets, and Chorus Leaders.
We are happy to usher in the new year of 2025 with changes to our regional contest. As you already know, contest this year will be a one year “stop” at Pickering Casino Resort. Last year, we were notified that there was a small glitch with booking at the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) in St. Catharines, which forced us to look elsewhere for this year’s venue. Next year, in 2026, we will return once again to the PAC.
When we originally booked the casino, there were many stipulations that went along with a privately run facility but we have been working hard on your behalf to make your experience at Pickering Casino a memorable one. After much negotiation, we have been able to change the rooming policies for this year. We are removing the two-night requirement; therefore, we will also remove the $100.00 fair share assessment.
But along with that great news comes some hard facts! This change is ONLY for this year and when we return to St. Catharines, we will go back to room minimums and fair share assessments.
What is a fair share assessment? This is a charge levied against members who do not stay at convention hotels during the event. When negotiating contracts with hotels, they look at the number of rooms we will be using and then give us rehearsal space and meeting rooms. If we drop below a certain threshold of room uptakes, we have to pay for all of the rehearsal space that each chorus uses. We also run the risk of having to pay for guest rooms that we don’t use, per contract requirements. The fair share assessment helps us cover these additional charges. This year, because there is no rehearsal space available at the hotel, I was able to have the room night minimum removed so there is no need for the fair share assessment this year.
Another important change to this year’s contest is with the traffic pattern on contest day. The traffic pattern follows a very strict timeline and if you or anyone in your chorus is late or disrupts the pattern, penalties will be imposed or may even result in disqualification.
As outlined in the Convention Handbook, there will be minimal rehearsal space available in the contest venue, for one-hour rehearsals on Friday and Saturday. This will be assigned by the Competition Coordinator, Shelley Snoulten.
We also would like to remind everyone that the best part of contest weekend is being together, so if at all possible, please encourage your members to stay at the hotel even if for only one night.
CCLs: Please mark your calendars for a zoom meeting on Saturday January 11, 2025 at 10:00 am to discuss and address any questions you may have.
A couple of timing reminders: The Master Spreadsheet for registration and housing is due on January 24th. If you have it completed early, please feel free to send it along to Nancy Mulholland and Selena Novak. Please read the information tab carefully for changes to last year’s form.
Photo and Recording link to Zeffy will follow in the next eblast.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Cathy Stovold
Chair, Regional Convention
cathystovold@rogers.com
(705) 791-4677
| 
