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Dear Brother and Sister Hibernians,
The City of New Orleans has the pleasure and honor of hosting the 94th Biennial National Convention for the AOH/LAOH in 2008. New
Orleans, a unique and historic city with nearly 300 years of history, is looking forward to bestowing its southern hospitality on our brothers and
sisters from across this nation.
The host committee has arranged a memorable week here in New Orleans. We have chosen the Sheraton Hotel as our convention
headquarters, which is situated on world famous Canal Street in the heart of the Business District and directly across the street from our renowned
French Quarter. This hotel is a 49-story edifice with over 1100 rooms, numerous breakout rooms and three large ballrooms, the largest of which
would comfortably seat 1800 diners. We have secured a room rate of $109.00 per night plus taxes, during the convention and for three days before
and after the convention for those who are interested in spending extra time in our city. Convention dates are July 23 to July 26, 2008. Terry and I
have negotiated a package price (registration fee) of $180.00 per attendee; this will include three events at the hotel, Ice Breaker, Irish Night and
Banquet Night. The Banquet Night will feature a three hour open bar, a Filet dinner and entertainment presented by nationally acclaimed Andy
Cooney’s Irish Show Band.
The hotel has numerous suites of various sizes to accommodate the desires of our state boards. You will also be interested to know there
are 10 elevators serving the hotel as well as a set of escalators connecting the first 5 floors where all of the AOH/LAOH convention activities will
occur. We have arranged a separate room which is large enough to accommodate all of the attendees for daily mass and the logistics are being
worked out for our off-site opening and closing masses at two historic churches in New Orleans.
As mentioned, we are directly across the street from our Historic French Quarter or “Vieux Carré” as it is known here in New Orleans. While
Katrina ravaged much of the city it spared the area in which we will be staying and all the tourist attractions that you read about and will certainly
want to see. Many Hibernians and fellow citizens of this country have been quite generous during the past two years since Hurricane Katrina and
New Orleans is making a remarkable recovery. While the press has been less favorable, exaggerating negative stereotypes to sell papers, I can
assure you that law-abiding citizens like yourselves have no reason to fear for their safety or their comforts while in our beautiful city.
Terry Kelleher and I are putting together what we hope will be a convention that will be long remembered. We have secured the lowest
room rates that any member has seen in over a decade, the lowest registration fee in the last two conventions, and the most famous city in America.
The Sheraton has bent over backward to help us make this an unforgettable event by hosting an open bar before and during our Saturday night
banquet. We have been allowed to bring in the spirits that will be needed for the hospitality rooms and the dining tables for the night of the events.
In short order registration will be available on this web site and from applications appearing in the Hibernian Digest. You will be receiving
further information over the next several months reminding you of the convention. We feel that when you leave the 2008 convention you will agree
with us that it will be one you never forget. We are counting on you to be in that number. Hope to see y’all soon.
JAMES F. MCKAY III
NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
TERRY KELLEHER
NATIONAL CO-CHAIR |
