2015 Winter Regional Move to Sun & Fun property in Lakeland.

[Paul H.]

Re: 2015 Winter Regional Move to Sun & Fun property in Lakeland.

From what I have able to gather closest hotel is around 10 miles?

That's along walk!!

[Harry S.]

Re: 2015 Winter Regional Move to Sun & Fun property in Lakeland.

I'd like this to be a success. I've just completed some searches for hotels and such. What I found is, there is a Hilton Garden Hotel about 5 miles away. The best rate I could book for January at my corporate rate is $152.00 per day plus tax. I also see there is a $10.00 per day parking fee for the air shows, will that fee apply to the Regional?

Hopefully the negotiated rate for the Regional will be much better.

[Harry S.]

Re: 2015 Winter Regional Move to Sun & Fun property in Lakeland.

The NCRS block is full (was $119), the AAA rate is gone, the Senior rate is gone, the AARP rate is gone!

What did I miss?

[Rick A.]

Re: 2015 Winter Regional Move to Sun & Fun property in Lakeland.

Harry, that is why I thought closest hotel was around 10 miles? I had already checked with Hilton Garden Inn/Hotel, and as you say around 5 miles away. Not looking good for lodging?

[Ara G.]

Re: 2015 Winter Regional Move to Sun & Fun property in Lakeland.

The NCRS block is full (was $119), the AAA rate is gone, the Senior rate is gone, the AARP rate is gone!

What did I miss?

??????? Seriously?

[Tom D.]

Re: 2015 Winter Regional Move to Sun & Fun property in Lakeland.

I'm a bit new to things and have never attended the Winter Regional in Florida before, though we're planning on going in 2015. My question is, since registration has not even opened up yet, how is it possible that "...the NCRS block is full..." at the Hilton Garden Inn?

[Rick A.]

Re: 2015 Winter Regional Move to Sun & Fun property in Lakeland.

People started booking as soon as move was announced. And, me thinks many of the rooms were reserved by the Florida Chapter members

[Tyler T.]

Re: 2015 Winter Regional Move to Sun & Fun property in Lakeland.

People started booking as soon as move was announced. And, me thinks many of the rooms were reserved by the Florida Chapter members

You would be wrong. The post here was the first anyone knew outside of the BoD that includes Florida Chapter members. While you will have to drive to the event it will be a much better format than Oldtown. We will be posting the hotel information soon and it includes other hotels nearby that will have rooms blocked for NCRS members registered for the event.

The move has been approved by the BoD.

Tyler

[Ara G.]

Re: 2015 Winter Regional Move to Sun & Fun property in Lakeland.

The NCRS block is full (was $119), the AAA rate is gone, the Senior rate is gone, the AARP rate is gone!

What did I miss?

I just went to book a room and they said a list was given to them by the NCRS with the names for room block. They wouldn't book a room for me? They said I wasn't on the list that was given to them by the NCRS??? With my looks, I don't make it onto many "lists" trust me, but not on the NCRS list?....I must be slipping in my old age.....

[Tyler T.]

Re: 2015 Winter Regional Move to Sun & Fun property in Lakeland.

I just went to book a room and they said a list was given to them by the NCRS with the names for room block. They wouldn't book a room for me? They said I wasn't on the list that was given to them by the NCRS??? With my looks, I don't make it onto many "lists" trust me, but not on the NCRS list?....I must be slipping in my old age.....

Not sure abot a list of names that can book in the block but that's the first I have heard about it. Here are the closest that we have talked to.
Imperial Swan 863-644-335
Hampton Inn by Hilton 863-688-3798
Hampton Inn & Suites 863-603-7600
Courtyard by Marriott 863-802-9000
Residence Inn 863-680-2323

you will need your NCRS # to get in the block and registration # to get the NCRS rate on check out.

Tyler

[Frederick N.]

Re: 2015 Winter Regional Move to Sun & Fun property in Lakeland.

Getting ready to leave for the National at Kansas City. Maybe will learn more about the move to Lakeland. Wonder what the exact dates will be?

I've done the Winter Regional since about 1982, I remember seeing the new 84 Corvette in January of 84 at Cypress Gardens. I've went every year since.
For me coming out of Indiana winters to the regional was always what I looked forward to every year. I still go wherever the show goes.

Fred Neitzel
1973 LS4
1977 Coupe
1990 Convertible
1999 Convertible

[Joe R.]

Re: 2015 Winter Regional Move to Sun & Fun property in Lakeland.

Fred,

Still Jan 21-25 but to a larger field so that the Florida Chapter can accomodate the growing pains they have had the past few years.
The old venue at Old Town just cannot be relied on to be there after the planning is done. They have been Bankrupt the past few years.
Looking forward to being in Florida in January playing golf, eating seafood, swapping parts and enjoying the fellowship we have forged the past 35 years.

JR

[Tyler T.]

Re: 2015 Winter Regional Move to Sun & Fun property in Lakeland.

The Florida Chapter is happy to announce the change of location of our Winter Regional Event from Old Town , Kissimmee, Florida to a site in Lakeland, Florida. The move from Old Town was due to the loss of acreage adjoining Old Town Property that for many years was leased and Old Town lost their lease on this property. Without that property our event could not be housed in the remaining space at Old Town. Unfortunately the choice was to scramble to find a new location within a reasonable distance of Old Town or shut the event down and we chose to continue the event. Finding a location in the tourist district that is both affordable and has lots of green space is impossible and we had to reach out a little further to insure a long term solution and the survival of the event. The new site is going to be in Lakeland, Florida at the Linder Regional Airport site of the SUN N FUN Fly in. This site successfully houses that event every year and brings in over 200,000 people each year to this facility. This New venue brings with it plenty of vending space, parking space, all Corvette Parking Space, inside judging space for NCRS judged cars, fly in opportunities for small aircraft, on site RV space, adjoining secure trailer parking, plenty of meeting space and will be substantially easier to secure. The new show site amenities far outweigh any location short comings.Changing an event of this size is a huge undertaking for anyone, but to have to do it within 6 months of the event is substantially more challenging. When you have an event this large that has operated very successfully for 36 years, you have many considerations regarding the future of the event and the biggest question is will the site chosen being able to accommodate the event for many years to come. This site chosen meets that requirement extremely well.The biggest downside to this location is that all Hotels are a minimum of 5 miles away and there are no big hotels, but most National Brands are offered and most were willing to discount rates to offer to Corvette people coming into the area. We have attached the listing of Hotels and there telephone numbers for you to contact. The Chamber and Visitors Bureau will be acting as a clearinghouse for area hotels and will monitor the availability and there number is listed at the top of the hotel inventory page. If new area lodging is problematic you can keep your reservations at the Old Location in the Old Town area and the drive to the new location is 36 miles away. A lot of the Old Town 192 Hotels serve as overflow lodging to the Sun N Fun Event in the Spring time.We want to apologize for any inconvenience this may cause anyone on the hotel side and it will take time for people to adjust to the location and lodging situation. Hopefully by next year a new hotel will be built on site and will improve as we adjust to our new home. I want to assure everyone that the Florida Chapter has made every effort to make this transition as easy as possible for the participants and we ask for your patience in helping us with the site change.

Ed Augustine, Meet Chairman

Dates remain the same 21-24 January 2015

http://thepandatrap.com/tyler/2015%20EVENT/Lakeland%20Hotels.pdf

[Adam B.]

Re: 2015 Winter Regional Move to Sun & Fun property in Lakeland.

Any idea of the RV hookup fees?

[David S.]

Re: 2015 Winter Regional Move to Sun & Fun property in Lakeland.

I just called the Hilton Garden Inn. It looks like if your not a special person and your name is not on there SPECIAL list. There is no room for you in there very special hotel. I do have a problem with special people.
Dave