Dear Fellow Toastmasters,
On behalf of the 2001 Convention Organizing Committee, we wish to share the
following comments with you:
i) Location of Regal Airport Hotel, Chek Lap Kok - Is it too far from the local
attractions and shopping districts?
To the registrants who will actively participate in the Convention, ie, from the
Social & Welcome Night on 18 May 2001 to the Closing Ceremony on 20 May 2001, we
are confident that the Convention program will engage them wholeheartedly and
happily under the hotel roof. Smile.
However, if you and your family members would like to do some sightseeing and
shopping during the 3-day Convention, these local attractions are within reach:
1) Tung Chung (10 minutes ride)
2) Po Lin Monastery/Giant Buddha (approx 45 minutes ride)
3) Cheung Sha Beach (approx 30 minutes ride)
4) Tai O (approx 50 minutes ride)
PLUS free hotel shuttle bus services to Tsim Sha Tsui (New World Centre) where
you will find lots of bargains in this popular sightseeing district.
In any event, Regal is about 25 minutes by Airport Express railway or 45 minutes
by bus from/to the city centre in Hong Kong.
ii) Other Accommodation Options - More choices?
To accommodate those who would like to stay close to the city, besides keeping
our former choices, namely Century Hong Kong, Empire and Wesley in the Wanchai
District, you would be pleased to learn that we have recently included Century
Harbour for your kind consideration. (Please visit our Convention web site
http://www.area-toastmasters.org.hk/pansea2001/hotel.html for
more details.)
We will also offer special discounted Airport Express railway tickets at the
following rates:
1) Same day round-trip ticket @HK$50/US$6.50 (regular rate at HK$90/US$11.50)
2) Multiple-day round trip ticket @HK$90/US$11.50 (regular rate at HK$160/US$20.50)
iii) 3-day Convention Package Rate - Is the rate reasonable?
Believe you (our overseas delegates) are well aware that you have been enjoying
the BEST rates since Day 1, ie, US$120 in November 1999 and US$140 in May 2000.
For your kind information, our Fund Raising Team has been working very
diligently on raising the required sponsorship to bridge the difference between
the Convention revenue and the operating expenses.
We are thrilled to have the opportunity to realize our common dream to bring the
Annual District Toastmasters Convention to Hong Kong. Working hand-in-hand and
heart-to-heart, we are pledged to organize a FIRST CLASS Convention of Quality,
Organization and Time Management to all presence.
iv) Regal Airport Hotel Superior Room Rate at HK$780 NETT (approx US$100),
Single or Double Occupancy - Better rate available?
The Deputy General Manager of Regal guaranteed that the offered rates would be
the best rates for next May. Since the Convention Organizer is not liable for
any room commitment, the overseas delegates are free to reserve their rooms
through other more reasonable sources.
We have the best interest of our fellow Toastmasters (particularly YOU - our
brothers and sisters overseas) that we made the Convention venue change
decision. Our commitment to YOU, our fellow Toastmasters who will be flying all
the way to Hong Kong next May, the 2001 District Convention will be a 10-Star
Convention full of FUN, FELLOWSHIP and FULFILLMENT.
We sincerely hope that the above would address the issues you may have on the
Convention venue change decision. Please feel free to contact either one of us
if you require any clarifications.
We and 20+ Hong Kong delegates will be attending the Johor Bahru Convention.
You are cordially invited to visit our 2001 Convention promotion booth where our
BIG BIG SMILES + . + Regal Airport Hotel information packages will be available
at your fingertips.
We look forward to meeting YOU in November.
Many thanks and best regards
Andy See and Betty Wong
Co-Chairs, 8th Annual District Toastmasters Convention
