GASS   

        The Gentlemen's Ale Sampling Society

        1982-2012  30 YEARS OF HAVING A LAUGH

AGM 2012

There has been a lot of talk about our 2012 AGM because it is our 30th anniversary.

I have tried to pull together all the different views on the subject and to narrow down the options.

In summary it would appear that the criteria for 2012 should be:-

That the most important factor should be NUMBERS - we want the maximum number of members to attend. 

This is the over-ruling requirement for 2012.  This leads to the more minor criteria:-

The flight time should not be excessive.
The cost can be a little higher than normal, but not too much.

Flexibility in the length of stay is useful.

There should be more group ACTIVITIES as it keeps us together and makes the trip.

Over the past weeks and months a number of venues have been suggested and researched

By applying the criteria above and taking into account various straw polls the feeling of the majority seems to be:-

LAS VEGAS: 

Ruled out:  Too far and too expensive.  Also possibly not right for GASS.

VALENCIA: 

Ruled out:  Too many people have been there before and it is just a sprawling city

ODESSA: 

Ruled out:  The flight times are very bad, 5.5 hours out, up to 8 hours back including one change.

Good 'wow' factor in the name but potentially same as Varna.  Not easy to arrange activities

MILAN

Ruled out:  The focus for Milan would be the Formula One, but very bad reports about track access, not everyone a F1 fan.

Could be a real rip-off in restaurants etc due to F1 weekend.

SAILING AROUND IBIZA

Ruled out:  Too many members want to sleep ashore and because Ibiza is not well suited to yachting generally.

Steve looked at sailing elsewhere in the Med and came up with the same conclusions due to cramped conditions on boats.

Also very costly as a trip, prices have jumped and it is well above other options.  Sailing only activity.

That leaves two venues on the table, one proposed by Tony, one by Brian.

Tony is proposing BARCELONA and in the course of investigating the sailing option Brian has a plan for IBIZA

PROPOSAL

Members now have these two definite options before them and one last chance to propose a third option.

If you want to make another proposal you MUST give an outline plan and outline costs, just like the two below.

I suggest a cut-off date of the February Meeting as it is a dinner at The Roffen.

1.  BARCELONA - large capital town on coast

Barcelona is a pleasant major town on the coast.  We would stay in the old town in a 4 star. 

Normal central town activities at night with a good old town and good restaurants.

Easy flights, 2.5 hours, airport nearby.  Flexible for members wanting different dates.

Activities:  Tony is investigating what we could do in or near the town.

Flight and Hotel for four nights = £300-400 approx.  Cost of proposed activities = £200 estimate

AGM COST = estimate £500-£600

2.  IBIZA - small holiday island

IBIZA is a fantastic holiday island.  Like a small Majorca it is way better than its reputation. 

We have been recommended to stay in Ibiza Town which is smarter and caters for an older crowd than the other major venue St Antonio. 

Lots of very chic restaurants, loads of normal clubs plus the big clubs like Space, Pasha, etc, lots of beach bars and sandy coves.

Easy flights, 2.5 hours, airport nearby.  Flexible for members wanting different dates.

Activities

I have a quote from a very sorted company on the island for some great activities, which is what I think was missing from Varna.

Because the Island is small there are no long commutes, and if we do these three activities we will have a real laugh.

My plan is for our activities to take place around midday for 2-3 hours and end with lunch together before transport home.

The plan is that Day 1 and 2 would be for everyone, Day 3 would be voluntary.

Day 1:  3 Citron 2CV Rally round hidden parts of the Island in 'Hippy CV's" self drive, plus two open Jeeps with guides for off-road.

Day 2:  Catamaran Sunset Cruise to Formentera.  Dinner, drinks & music included.

Day 3:  Kayaking - 10 double kayaks for guided trip round picturesque coves with beach lunch.

COST of all three = £200

Flight and Hotel for four nights = £450-£500 approx.    Cost of 3 activities = £200

AGM COST = £650-£700

Any other ideas welcome - but you must cost the proposal - and you will be organising it.

Give it some thought guys as we need to get booking.

VARNA - GOLDEN SANDS RESORT - A beach resort in Bulgaria

http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/VARGSDI-DoubleTree-by-Hilton-Hotel-Varna-Golden-Sands/index.do;jsessionid=B3EF53B51A14D8D7F673CC3C292FCE6F.etc56

5 NIGHTS

5 STAR HOTEL - FULLY INCLUSIVE - Thursday 8 Sept 12.40 (Luton) - Tuesday 13 Sept 21.50

FLIGHT £350  -  AIRPORT TRANSFER (return) £25
SHARED ROOM - FULLY INCLUSIVE - £67.50per person per day - TOTAL £340
TOTAL 5 NIGHT TRIP COST - SHARING A ROOM - £715

SINGLE ROOM - £92.50 per person per day - TOTAL £460
TOTAL 5 NIGHT TRIP COST  - SINGLE OCCUPANCY - £835

SHARED ROOMS -  Brian & Steve Bell, - JB & Tony - Phil R & Phil C - Nick &  Al
SINGLE ROOMS - Andy, Peter, Ian, Gary, Hugh

3 NIGHTS

5 STAR HOTEL - FULLY INCLUSIVE - Saturday 10 Sept 14.20 (Luton) - Tuesday 13 Sept 21.50

FLIGHT £385  -  AIRPORT TRANSFER (return) £25

SHARED ROOM - FULLY INCLUSIVE - £67.50per person per day - TOTAL £200
TOTAL 3 NIGHT TRIP COST - SHARING A ROOM - £610

SINGLE ROOM - £92.50 per person per day - TOTAL £275
TOTAL 3 NIGHT TRIP COST - SINGLE OCCUPANCY - £685