Important Announcement for the 2017 Annual Gathering
From the Tristan da Cunha Association Committee, 19th March 2017
Minor Change of Venue for the Meeting and Dinner Dance
The committee heard on 7th March 2017 that the Southampton Holiday Inn will be refurbishing their Meetings and Events Space during April 2017, and therefore are unable to accommodate our Annual Gathering on 22nd April. Fortunately, they have booked alternative event rooms and services for us instead just a few metres away over the road, at The Grand Harbour Hotel, West Quay Road, Southampton, SO15 1AG.
Grand Harbour Hotel main entrance
Two committee members inspected the new meeting rooms and checked arrangements on 15th March and found them to be excellent. The Annual Gathering will therefore take place on the advertised dates in this alternative local venue.
Existing day or dinner dance tickets will now be valid for the same event held at The Grand Harbour Hotel. Ticket holders will receive free car parking in the Grand Hotel car park subject to availability (there are 190 spaces).
Implications for Holiday Inn Guests
Only the Holiday Inn meeting rooms are being refurbished. The rest of the hotel, including reception, restaurant, bar, bedrooms, car park, and health club remain open as usual, and all existing room bookings stand. We expect most members will still wish to stay in the Holiday Inn as planned and meet as usual for drinks and evening meal in the hotel restaurant / bar area.
Members may, however, consider booking rooms at The Grand Harbour Hotel if they wish. On 15th March 30 rooms were available, but we are unable to secure a reserved event rate for B&B at this late stage. Bookings can be made with the Grand Harbour Hotel Reception Phone 023 8063 3033 or via their website: www.grandharbourhotel.co.uk. In order to ensure free parking throughout your stay please inform hotel reception when booking that you are attending the Tristan Annual Gathering event.
Facilities at the Grand Harbour Hotel
Obviously we regret having to announce this news, but nevertheless are delighted at the alternative facilities. The Grand Harbour Hotel, formerly the De Vere Hotel, is an independent establishment with the largest conference and event facilities in Southampton. We will ask members to evaluate the 2017 event at this new venue so that the committee can decide between the two closely situated hotels for the 2018 Annual Gathering.
Grand Harbour Hotel Side View
Grand Harbour Hotel Atrium
Inside on the ground floor is the bar area and to the right is the main hotel restaurant where our two-course buffet lunch will be served
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Two views of the rooms we will use for our morning films, afternoon meeting and evening Dinner Dance.
The curtains will give us blackout for films, giving enhanced picture clarity. A third room, beyond the screen at the back of the photo below, will be used for our stalls during the morning, and opened up to provide an extended meeting room in the afternoon.
Off this suite of rooms there is a bar area where complimentary refreshments (inc. tea and coffee, snacks and afternoon cake) will be provided for ticket holders during the day. The exclusive bar will be available throughout the Dinner Dance.