After reviewing the seven hotel proposals we received and doing all the
mathematics I decided that
The Grand Gateway Hotel in Rapid City, South Dakota
1721 N Lacrosse St
Rapid City, SD 57701
866-742-1300
would be our 'best value' and would be my first choice. On
Thursday I talked with Bob Hodet ( Hoe-day) the Sales Manager for The
Grand Gateway and we came to the following agreement.
- Our room rate is $82 plus 8.5% state tax and a $2 city occupancy tax.
- All reservations are to be made directly with the Grand Gateway not
The Truxtun Association.
- The room rate is the same from one to four people.
(They do not use roll away beds.)
- We have a block of 30 rooms set aside for the reunion.
- Rooms not reserved 30 days prior to the first day of the reunion will
be released back to the hotel.
- You may arrive three days early or stay an additional three days
after the reunion for the same rate.
- There is a complimentary Airport Shuttle but you
must notify the hotel of your arrival and departure times.
- The Hospitality Room is 'no charge' for our
stay and the set up fee has been waived.
- In the Hospitality Room we can bring in our own snacks, pop, water,
wine, and beer.
- At the Banquet for $300 a "Cash Bar" can be made available or
You can bring your own alcoholic beverage(s) - but please be
discreet with the hard liquor.
- The hotel does have a casino with 16 'Video Lottery' machines.
- The hotel has plenty of parking and there is room for campers in the
back. However, there are no hook ups.
- The hotel does have a resident Chef and all the food is fresh.
I am currently looking in to services of a Disc Jockey to provide music
and a photographer.
I hope this answers most of your questions about the hotel.
We have not started the assessment and selection of tours or the food for
the banquet dinner.
In my conversations with The Convention and Visitor Bureau representative
she stressed that the tour operators were very open and willing to
customize their tours to meet our wishes.
Please note unlike previous reunions that were three days in length, this
is a four day reunion starting on Wednesday and ending on Saturday.
I am working on the July Newsletter and should have it available for
release to the website later today.
Keep in Touch!
Ted Poremski
19 July 2009