Executive Director’s Report:
Reno Reunion Plans Firming Up
by CAPT J.R. Davis, USN(Ret)
by CAPT J.R. Davis, USN(Ret)
Preparations for this year’s Tailhook Association reunion, scheduled for 8–11 September at John Ascuaga’s Nugget Hotel in Reno, Nev., continue at a fast pace. Improvements to the “Bug” Roach Flight Deck Mixer include additional seating and several “stand-up” tables in the ballroom area to further accommodate the many attendees at that popular event. In response to comments from previous years, and in an effort to provide more efficient refreshment service, we’ve also added several self-serve stations and additional hostesses to respond to your beverage service needs.
We’re also working to solve last year’s audio-visual problems by scheduling practice and review times for all presentations. Additionally, for the first time we’re investigating ways to transmit the symposium and banquet program for viewing in all hospitality suites.
Again in response to suggestions from recent attendees, this year we will record and transcribe the comments of all panel discussions and speakers. Following the reunion, the transcript will be available on our Web site and a video copy will be sent to all deployed aircraft carriers, squadrons and other organizations.
In other modifications to the reunion, the Nugget is adding more staff beginning at 4:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday in an attempt to reduce valet auto retrieval times.
Our Spouse Events Planning Committee is working actively to develop additional programs to accommodate spouses attending Hook ’05. If you have a suggestion, please contact Mrs. Jan Osterholm at (928) 537-8521, or send her an e-mail at janoster39@hotmail.com.
We strongly suggest that you schedule your travel and reserve your room early. We have reserved 1,300 rooms at the Nugget exclusively for the Tailhook Association. As with previous years, we expect the rooms to be sold out by mid-June. Call the Nugget at (800) 648-1177 to make a reservation, and be sure to mention that you are attending the Tailhook reunion to receive your special rate.
For potential exhibitors, we have added about 15 extra booths along the Rose Ballroom south and east foyer walls. If you plan to exhibit and want to be in the pavilion areas, we ask that you make your arrangements early by contacting the Hook 2005 Reunion Coordinator, CAPT Marc Ostertag, USN(Ret), (800) 322-4665, e-mail: tag@tailhook.net.
As of early March we’ve received confirmation that the following reunion groups will schedule their gatherings to coincide with the Tailhook reunion activities:
Our monthly newsletter currently is being sent to 4,500 members. If you wish to receive the newsletter, please log onto the Tailhook Web site and add your name to the address list. We also post the two most recent newsletters at the Web site for your review.
The year just completed was good for the Tailhook Association. In addition to expanding the color content of The Hook magazine and adding pages to the Summer issue, we also have improved the quality of the merchandise offered in our ship’s store. As we continue to prosper, we are carefully investing for the future and donating even more income to the Tailhook Educational Foundation scholarship fund.
We wish to thank all members who have donated to the Tailhook Association and to the Tailhook Educational Foundation. A listing begins on the following page. Your support allows us to build on the heritage of Naval Aviation through educational and scholarship programs that benefit the youth of America.
Hook 2005 Reunion Coordinator (Marc Ostertag): (800) 322-4665
Tailhook Educational Foundation (CFC #2965): (800) 269-8267
The Tailhook Ship’s Store: (800) 322-4665
Tailhook Web site: http://www.tailhook.org or http://www.tailhook.net
e-mail: thookassn@aol.com