FLORIDA COUNCIL OF CHAPTERS, TROA/MOAA

CONVENTION 2003 IN SARASOTA

TUESDAY-SATURDAY, 13-17 MAY 2003

SARASOTA HYATT HOTEL

1000 BOULEVARD OF THE ARTS

Dear TROA/MOAA Member,

            The Florida Council of Chapters Annual Convention and Business Meeting will be hosted by the Retired Officers Club of Sarasota in Sarasota, Florida from Tuesday, 13 May to Saturday 17 May 2003.  Room reservations may be made at the Sarasota Hyatt by calling (800) 233-1234 or (941) 953-1234.  Ask for the Florida Council of Chapters Special Rate of $115.00 per night single or double.

            The Convention will commence with registration, vendor set-up and golf and tennis organizational meetings on the afternoon of Tuesday, 13 May.  Golfers and tennis players will depart the hotel approximately 0800 on Wednesday morning for University Park Country Club, about 15 minutes away.  The University Park Golf Course is rated 4 stars by �Golf Digest� magazine and is ranked the 7th best course in Florida.  University Park also has 11 lighted, Har-Tru tennis courts.  A Council Board Meeting will be held Wednesday afternoon followed by the Council President�s Reception and no-host cocktails 1630-1830 (dressy casual, ties not required).  Dinner will be on your own Wednesday evening with a list of recommended restaurants provided.

            Registration continues on Thursday. The All-Hands Breakfast with Keynote Speaker (casual/dressy casual) begins at 0800 followed immediately by The Memorial Service.  The Hospitality Room will open after the Memorial Service and continue through the day.  The gentlemen will be on their own for lunch while the ladies attend a Fashion Luncheon at the Sarasota Yacht Club (dressy casual).  Seminars will be held Thursday afternoon.  The Caribe Carnival and Buffet Banquet will begin with no-host cocktails at 1800 and continue with dancing (all kinds) as well as Calypso/Carribean music until 2300 ( tropical casual, fun).

            Registration continues on Friday and he Hospitality Room will be open all day.  At 0800 the Council Presidents and Board Members will meet followed by the Annual Business Meeting from 0915- 1200.  The afternoon is free to enjoy Sarasota and the wonderful tours we have arranged (see details below).  The Military Ball will be preceded with no-host cocktails at 1800 with dining, dancing and entertainment beginning at 1930.  The dinner will be preceded by appropriate formal toasts with a menu including  Baby Field Greens Salad followed Beef and Fish Duet (roasted tender slices of marinated Angus beef  accompanied by honey-tarragon salmon with a potato trio and vegetables) topped off with a flourless chocolate torte on  a painted plate. Featured entertainment will be the Booker High School Caberet Troupe and is not to be missed!

Due to limited seating, reservations will be accepted from members of Florida TROA/MOAA chapters on a first come-first served basis.

            The Convention will conclude with a Council Board of Directors meeting Saturday morning at 0800.

 TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

WEDNESDAY, 14 MAY

GOLF at University Park Country Club, ranked Number 7 in the state and awarded four stars by Golf Digest magazine.  Depart via car pools at 0800 for tee times starting at 0900.  A friendly format with awards.  Cost is $40.00 each.

TENNIS at University Park Country Club featuring 11 Har-Tru courts. Depart at 0900 via car pools.  Cost is $15.00 each.

FRIDAY 16 MAY TOURS

SARASOTA BAY DISCOVERY CRUISE on the Sarasota Bay Explorer. 

A two hour narrated tour of the harbor departing from the Hyatt dock.  Includes views of Lido, Bird and Siesta Keys, bird rookeries in Roberts Bay and a sampling of sea creatures in the bay grasslands.  A qualified marine biologist form Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium will be on board to narrate and discuss flora and fauna.  The boat will accommodate about 45 people and will depart at 1200, 1400 and 1600 (select one).  Cost is $20.00 per person.

JOHN AND MABEL RINGLING MUSEUM OF ART AND CA�D ZAN.

A guided tour of the world famous 66 acre complex including the John and Mabel Ringling Art Museum with its 21 galleries of internationally recognized European and American art, and the recently renovated Ca�d Zan, the winter residence of the Ringlings, a 32 room, 15 bath mansion on Sarasota Bay.  A self-guided tour of the Museum of the Circus is also included.  These special tours are limited to 35 and will start at 1300, 1400, 1500 and 1600 (select one).  Cost is $12.00 per person.

MARIE SELBY BOTANICAL GARDENS

A docent-guided tour of the 15 distinct garden areas that include over 20,000 colorful plants and the world famous collection of over 6,000 orchids.  Plants are offered for sale in the gift shop.  Tours will accommodate 20 people and will start at 1300, 1400, 1500 and 1600 (select one).  Cost is $8.00 per person.

MOTE MARINE LAB AND AQUARIUM

A guided tour of the 10 acre Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in groups of 20 or less.  Animals and their habitats will be described as well as a multi-media Shark Attack presentation and interactive Predator and Prey computer model.  An optional tour of Pelican Man Bird Sanctuary is included.  Tours will start at 1300, 1400, 1500 and 1600 (select one).  Cost $8.00 per person.

BRIDGE

If sufficient interest is shown via the Registration Forms, Bridge games will be scheduled on Wednesday and Friday.