Update: May 1, 2012

The good news :

At present there are 631 people signed-up to attend, which represents the follow 21 countries:
USA, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Guam, Japan, Argentina, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, England,Northern Ireland, Switzerland, Italy, Principality Monaco, Spain, Egypt

Reunion finances :
Fee collected are $64,918 dollars from 291 people or 46% of those who have signed-up to attend. Four people will attend the cocktail party only.

Deposit money paid to Le Meridian hotel is $55,000 dollars or 41,257 Euros. Cash on hand $9,918. We are well ahead of deposit obligations on dates and amounts. I expect to have all financial obligations fulfilled before they are finally due on October 1st. Collection in two different currencies, dollars and Euros, complicates things a little but I have confidence that it will all work out okay.

Solicitation letters for sponsorship have been sent to Boeing and Breitling Watches and from what I understand that Intercontinental Hotels will also be solicited. Reunion expense planning was based on what was to be collected from attendees. Not sponsorship, but sponsor ship would definitely give us a bigger margin of money work with.

Invitation letters to the American Ambassador, Charles H. Rivkins was forwarded through the auspices of Captain Buzzell, His Naval attach´e, in Paris. I have received no confirmation of his attendance but hope to soon.

Table decorations:
The 80 table flag bases are complete except for painting. I'll do that some warm day next week when I can lay them out. The cost was $50 dollars, which makes the cost per flag about $6.00 each. When painting is finished, I will ship them.

No word from Captain Kramer and Cinda Belozer on the table decoration model B-314s, but they will let me know when they arrive.

Name Tags:
It is unanimous that everyone wants to use the clip-on name tag holder. I think about 700 should cover our needs.

Issues:
An issue has been raised by Betsy Smith, which I think is a good idea about having a crew room, which should be called the Clipper Club. This would be an area where notices could be posted on a chalk board and a general meeting place. That way people could contact each other for example: LHR based personnel meet in the top ballroom. Jean could you ask the hotel about a room next time you visit the ladies.

With 700 attendees we will probably need several photographers roaming around taking photos, I believe Tom Carroll and Jim Kelso are coordinating their efforts on that but we will need extra help on that issue. Buffet menus:
Since Jean Khalife and Will Groote live there, I thought that it would be easier for them to work with hotel on the menus for the buffet dinner, but please keep the committee informed on this matter.

Request:
Jean, reunion team members who are doing the hard work at the reunion may have questions about the hotel and rather than going through me to ask you it would be faster and more efficient if they could ask you directly. I hope you don't mind.

Bad news: none that I know about.
If anyone has a question or request, please bring up so we can everything under control for a smooth operation.

I just hope everyone can maintain their health and attend this wonderful event.

Warm regards to all,

Don

Reunion fees are 171 Euros or $223 per person, which includes two social events, an extended cocktail hour on November 1st and cocktail hour hour and buffet dinner on November 3rd. The complete agenda is in the notification letter attachment above. For those who use dollars, please make check out to Don Cooper and remit to Don Cooper PO Box 65339, Port Ludlow, WA 98365. Thanks!

Le Meridien Hotel reservations can be booked at the following:

Website: http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/res?id=1201098529&key=3BFD0

Schedule

Wednesday - October 31st - 1000 – 1600, Early Registration (This is not an official day of the reunion but it will allow early arrivers to register.

Thursday - November 1st:
0900 – 1500 Regular Registration
1600 – 2000 Extended cocktail hour with ample seating provided. Hors d ´oeuvres will be offered. (Sit down dinners inhibits mobility and therefore we felt it best to allow everyone to roam while they reconnect with old colleagues and friends on the first day). A no-host bar or cash only during the extended cocktail hour will be the fitting method to purchase drinks for this social function.

Friday –November 2nd:
A free day for optional activities. Take a tour of Monaco and the Riviera, both France and Italy. However, if enough Pan Am authors attend, then we could offer book presentations during the day if requested. Authors will be offered space to present and sell their books.
Saturday – November 3rd:
1600 – 1800 No Host Cocktail Hour (cash bar)
1800 – 2000 Farewell buffet dinner, which includes 1/3 bottle of wine or mineral waters for each attendee. Reunion agenda is subject to change.
Reunion payments:
The total price for both social events per person is $223 dollars or 171 Euros.

For those who reside in Europe, you may pay reunion fee in Euros and submit to:

Jean Khalife
8, Allee de la Pinede
Les Hauts de Vaugrenier
06270 Villeneuve Loubet, France

For those who reside in the U.S. you may pay by check in the amount of $223 dollars per person and submit to:

Don Cooper
PO Box 65339
Port Ludlow, WA 98365

We have no capability to accept credit card payments.

Dress Code:
Most attendees will be traveling by air, which complicates carrying extra baggage. For the ladies please wear something that is comfortable, appropriate for reunion events and is easy to pack. For the banquet dinner, gentlemen should wear a jacket and a tie. Please, no casual sport wear for either social event!

Cancelation:
No one wants to cancel a Pan Am reunion but it happens. If you must cancel, every attempt on our part will be made to refund your reunion fee, provided cancelation occurs before a head count is submitted to Le Meridien Hotel for the buffet dinner. At that point, we are obligated to pay for the number of meals submitted to the hotel. The head count notification occurs about three weeks in advance of the reunion.

Hotel Bookings:
The Le Meridien is a Starwood Group four star hotel located on the only private beach in Monaco. The negotiated group room rate is 171 Euros per night, with two people in a room or 161 Euros with one person. Using a dollar/euro exchange rate of 1.30 X 171 Euros, equals $222.30 dollars per room. This price is inclusive (all service and tax included) and includes a buffet breakfast served at the hotel ´s restaurant I ´Intempo. The Pan Am group contract was negotiated for a block of 190 rooms and the first 30% making reservation would be upgraded to a Mediterranean Sea view. Because of unprecedented amount of interest shown in this reunion it is expected that it will be highly attended and the block of rooms will be booked-out and after that, reservations will be on the basis of room availability. I would suggest you book early. The hotel has agreed to honor pre and post reunion bookings at the stated rate, if rooms are available. You may book a room at the discounted rate for the Pan Am celebration only through the Le Meridien Hotel ´s exclusive website:

http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/res?id=1201098529&key=3BFD0

Please Note! It is important to check your name for correct spelling. Your nametag will be printed as displayed on the list. If corrections are necessary please email me. Once payment is made for reunion fees, make sure you have a paid indication alongside your name on the
Dixie­Clipper web site, This will be your receipt for reunion fee payment. The Dixie­Clipper website will be updated on a regular basis with reunion information.

If you have specific questions, I can be reached at 360-437-2300 from 7 AM to 8 PM PST or email coop@maxthrust.net

Recommendations for attending the Dixie Clipper reunion in Monaco:
Insure you pass port is valid through the dates of Monaco event.
Make travel plans early!
Book hotel reservations early because it appears that this event will be booked-out.
Consider travel insurance for hotel penalty cancelation, medical, and emergency situations. Check with AAA Insurance Company or your insurance company for best coverage during the period of your travel. This preventive action could save you money. Save your travel receipts for proof of expenses.
The reunion committee looks forward to seeing you in Monaco!

Sincerely,
Don Cooper
Chair of the Dixie Clipper reunion - Monaco

Monaco Dixie Clipper Celebration committee:

Max Gurney, former DSM of southern France
Lou Berman, former Director, Africa, formerly at bases in Pacific Alaska, NAS and BRU
Jeff Kriendler, former Vice-president of Corporate Communications
Jean Khalife, former Station Manager of Nice, Pan Am and Delta
Tom Carroll, pilot MIA, SFO, TXL and LAX
Don Cooper, pilot SFO, SEA, JFK, HKG, TXL