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AIS Convention 2008:
Austin, Texas
(updated January 13 2008)
AIS Convention 2008:
April 14-19 2008 Austin, Texas (Hosted by
the Iris Society of Austin)
The
Iris Society of Austin welcomes you to Austin, Texas, April 14-19 2008.
The Iris Society of Austin
was organized in 1983 by a small group (8 people) who had an interest in
growing irises. Most were expert in some category of plant culture,
but all were novice when it came to iris culture. We have grown in
knowledge of iris culture as well as in membership. Our members are a
caring and sharing group. We
have planted iris beds in a number of locations around Austin and have
had iris plant sales each year since being organized. Thus we have
introduced irises to our Austin
neighbors through these public plantings and plant sales, along with our
annual Iris Show. We continue to host these activities, in hopes that
more people will become interested in the growing of Irises.
In August 2004 we hosted the Region 17 (Texas) annual meeting. It now
gives us great pride and pleasure to host the 2008 American Iris Society
national convention. The organizers of this event, the Iris
Society of Austin, have provided their own website for information on the 2008 AIS
Convention. If you wish you may visit their site at:
Lone Star
State AIS 2008 Convention (please note
that this is not part of the AIS website, it is provided by the 2008
convention organizers)
For your convenience and
easy reference, some important information on the 2008 AIS Convention is
organized and provided below:
Convention Hotel Information
Convention Registration/Form
Convention Schedule of Events
Optional Tours
Geek Dinner
Convention Site Weather
Saving on
expenses for the 2008 convention
AIS Convention 2008 Apri14-19 2008 Austin, Texas
2008 Convention
Co-Chairperson:
Jim Landers, 710 N. 11th, Temple, TX 76501-3016
phone: (254) 773-5017
e-mail:
jimlanders43@hotmail.com
2008 Convention
Co-Chairperson:
Pat Byrne, 1102 Aster, Katy, TX 77493
phone: (281) 391-6190
e-mail: patb1@consolidated.net
2008 Convention Hotel:
Omni Austin Hotel at Southpark, 4140 Governor’s Row, Austin, TX 78744
phone: 512-448-2222
Hotel information website:
Omni Austin Hotel at Southpark
The Omni Austin Hotel at
Southpark welcomes attendees of the American Iris Society Convention. We
have provided special rates during your stay. Go to the special hotel
website link above. All bookings for group attendees may be made online
to receive your special negotiated rate.
Conference special rates available from: April 12 - 22, 2008
Special rates: From $99 per night
Book by: March 23, 2008 to receive this special rate
Airport Shuttle Service: Complimentary airport shuttle to and from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Shuttle service available from 7 am to 11 pm daily. For pick up, please call from the courtesy phone in the baggage claim area or call the hotel directly at 512-448-2222. Airport pickup will not occur without a phone request.
Guest Parking:
Complimentary on-site self-parking
With a premier location in the heart of Austin, Texas, the Omni Austin Hotel at Southpark is at the center of it all. This elegant luxury hotel offers modern amenities for the 21st century traveler. Relax, savor fine cuisine or discover the excitement of downtown Austin, the State Capitol and the 6th Street Entertainment District, all just moments away. The Omni Austin Hotel at Southpark is the ideal destination for business and pleasure in Austin, Texas.
Located just 10 minutes from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Convention Registration/Form
Please follow this link for
the viewable/printable
2008
Convention Registration Form (PDF file)
All the convention registration rates are fully detailed on the form including the advance registration amounts and deadlines.
Make checks payable to AIS Convention 2008 and send with this
form to:
AIS Convention 2008
Kenneth W. Fuchs, Registrar
710 N. 11th St., Temple, TX 76501-3016
phone: (254) 773-5017
e-mail: kenfuchs42@hotmail.com
Payment of registration
fees can be made by check, or credit cards (VISA or MasterCard) Make checks
payable to AIS Convention 2008. Please
send the completed registration form to Registrar. When you
register, please indicate if you require special transportation or have
special diet requirements.
Registrations received after April 15,
2008, will be accepted at the discretion of the registrar.
Refunds for cancellations requested on or after April 1, 2008, will be
made at the discretion of the Convention Committee.
Convention Schedule of Events
Please go to the organizers website for the Schedule of Events.
This is now available but subject to revision by the organizers.
Follow this link:
Lone Star State
AIS 2008 Convention schedule
(please note that this is not part of the
AIS website, it is provided by the 2008 convention organizers)
Two optional tours are arranged. Please check the
organization's website for the details.
Follow this link:
Lone Star
State AIS 2008 Convention
(please note that this is not part of the
AIS website, it is provided by the 2008 convention organizers)
Geek Dinner
and Auction
Going to the AIS Convention? Sign up for the 2008 Geek Dinner!
10th ANNUAL GEEK DINNER
Have you heard the rumors?
The Geek Dinner is the place to be! Don’t know where to eat? Eat with
the geeks and non-geeks that have learned what a fun time everyone has.
You don't have to be a computer Geek to attend. Join a bunch of great
people for dinner. Not only will there be dinner and good conversation
among iris friends but door prizes and an auction will be part of the
entertainment.
After having spent your day getting off the tour bus and rushing around
the garden trying not to miss anything...then back on the bus to the
next garden to repeat the same thing again...what better way to end your
day than a relaxed evening with friends at the Geek Dinner reviewing all
those iris that are now on your "wish list."
First there is meeting with all your friends and then making new ones.
If you happen to be a subscriber to one of the iris lists or electronic
robins, you can meet other members and put faces to all those funny
email names.
Then there is a pretty good meal. This year it will be Caesar Salad,
rolls and butter, Lasagna, Almond Green Beans and Italian Cream Cake
with berry sauce dessert.
Then of course the real fun for the night… The Geek Dinner Auction where
you get to bid on new iris introductions, gift certificates from
commercial iris growers, iris themed items and the “piece de resistance”
a petit-point broach in an iris motif donated by Jill Bonino. The
proceeds from the auction go directly into the American Iris Society
Electronics Services fund that sponsors such things as the digital
projector for slide shows and the online iris databases.
Oh and of course some great doorprizes.
Now is the time to make plans for the 10th annual Geek Dinner being held
right in the convention hotel of the 2008 AIS National Convention. Meet
new friends and catch up with old ones.
The tables always fill up fast and unfortunately some who have not
pre-registered may have to be turned away. PLEASE RSVP to Joanne Prass-Jones
by Monday, March 31, 2008.
COST: $29.00 (not included in convention registration)
DATE: Friday, April 18, 2008
TIME: 6:00 – 9:00 pm (of course you can leave the auction at any time)
LOCATION: Convention Hotel (Room TBD)
MENU: Caesar Salad, Rolls and Butter
Lasagna with meat sauce with Almond Green Beans
Italian Cream Cake with Berry Sauce
RSVP: Joanne Prass-Jones
Email: joanne@usjoneses.com
Phone: (510) 795-9723
Make check payable to: Joanne Prass-Jones
Mailing address: 35572 Linda Drive, Fremont, CA 94536
Also, if you have items to donate to the auction, please let Joanne know
as soon as possible so we can prepare the auction.
Weather is always an important consideration
for any event. As a guide, the local
existing weather conditions and a detailed weather forecast the
following few days are provided by following this link:
The Weather Network:
Austin,
Texas
Saving on expenses
for the 2008 convention
Are you trying to figure out your finances so you can attend the AIS
Convention? It’s your dream. You have told your family no presents this
year or next, just money toward the trip to the 2008 AIS iris convention in
Austin, Texas.
Here’s a way to cut expenses: Sign up for a roommate. You can save money
by sharing your hotel room, and have more money for the convention. The
deal is: You make the match. I will provide a list of names, and you
contact the people on the list, make your own deal.
On previous occasions, I made the reservation for the room in my name so did my
roommate, so both our names were on the reservation for the same room.
You can do what works for you.
For more information, contact me:
Char Holte, 17308 W Observatory Rd., New Berlin WI 53146
e-mail: cholte@wi.rr.com
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