Saturday, March 29, 2008

Information on Phi Beta Convention 2008 in Williamsburg

Pi Alpha Upsilon is hosting the 2008 Phi Beta Convention in Williamsburg, Virginia on July 17. We are reaching out to all Phi Betas to join the fun! The theme for the convention will be “Phi Beta Meets History” with an appropriate logo of colonial style fife and drum performers. We recommend that you save the information in this article for future reference.

In choosing a hotel for the convention site, the warmth of personnel and overall
attractiveness prompted the decision to contract with the Williamsburg Hospitality House next July 17 – 19. As always, the hotel will let you come before the Convention begins and/or stay after the Convention ends for the special Phi Beta room rate. Check with the hotel for details at (757) 229-4020 and to reserve your room.

There is a highly recommended (but optional) walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg. This is a prime tourist attraction. This tour will take place on Thursday, July 17. It will begin at the Hospitality House (the hotel) at 9:00 am. A lunch will be served at King’s Arm Tavern at 11:30 am. After lunch there will be free time to continue touring until 5:00 pm. The tour package includes a two-day pass to Colonial Williamsburg. The cost of the tour package is $70.00 and needs to be sent to the National Treasurer (Cora) with the convention registration form. (Dress should be casual with comfortable shoes. Those wishing to participate in this tour need to make Wednesday night (July 16th) reservations early, as only rooms for National Council have been arranged for that night. When making your arrangements, ask the hotel for the Phi Beta rate. Check in time is 3pm. The hotel does offer luggage storage if the rooms are not available upon check-in.

The nearest airport is the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport in Newport News, VA. Shuttles from the airport to the Hospitality House (the hotel) are available from Tidewater Coach Shuttle Service (757) 218-9539 for the following prices (prices subject to change):

Single: 1-way at $35 and roundtrip at $65
Doubles: 1-way at $40 and roundtrip at $75

Carey VIP Chauffeured Services (757) 220-5466 is also available (3 passenger town car one-way trip cost $87.68). There are also 7 cab companies serving the area (consult a local phone book).

Most of the Williamsburg Area Transport Shuttles service the hotel, providing rides to various places of interest (www.williamsburgtransport.com). Those of age 60 or more ride for half price. Famous places of interest include Jamestown, Yorktown, Busch Gardens Theme Park, the Mariners’ Museum, many outlet stores, and the Williamsburg Pottery. The hotel provides pamphlets for these and many other places of interest in Virginia. A magazine offered by the hotel and motel association, which is available in the lobby, gives all this information plus discount coupons for many local shops and restaurants.

Phi Beta members will provide entertainment at the convention. On Thursday evening, Jamie Auberg will present the premiere of his original movie “Intergalactic Archeology.” Mr. Auberg will also play an original clarinet composition at the banquet. The banquet entertainment will also include Emily Chua, who will provide a generous serving of French piano solos. Marjorie Vance (Program Chairperson) will make a vocal appearance with Emily Chua as well. There will be guest artists comprised of new Phi Beta members, friends, and faculty from Centerstage Academy. The forecast is calling for a strong chance of chamber music!

TOTE-BAGS are available by pre-order only. The bags are 2-tone (royal blue and black) with zippers and pockets, perhaps for your water bottle and cell phone. They include a screen print of the Convention info. The Tote-bags cost $15 each. Orders must be placed by June 15, 2008. (We need 25 for a minimum order!)

Send Checks to:
Jamie K. Auberg
Treasurer, Pi Alpha Upsilon
126 Windsor Pines Way, Apt. G
Newport News, VA 23608

If you have any QUESTIONS, call
Gay Ross-Clunis at (757) 565-1873
(M-F before noon or weekends)

We recommend you bring an umbrella, as the weather in this part of Virginia can be quite unpredictable. We also recommend that you bring your credit cards! The renowned shopping center, Merchants’ Square, stays open until 7:30pm, and there are many other delightful shops within Colonial Williamsburg. We look forward to seeing you here in historic Virginia next summer! Please order your tote-bags.



Submitted by Jamie Auberg, PAU
Historian, Pi Alpha Upsilon Chapter of Phi Beta

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