2011 Holiday Party - Georgia Aquarium

[mojo]

Mark your calendars now - the 2011 ARC Holiday Party will be held at the Georgia Aquarium!

That's right - we're actually holding the event at the Georgia Aquarium, in the whale shark exhibit, as in the picture above. I wanted to do this back in 2006, and we were able to make it a reality this year. We've had to manage expenses and negotiate heavily to make this happen, but now everything is set, and we can move on to the sign-up phase.

:djsmilie:

Date: December 11, 2011

Time: 7:30PM - 10:30PM

Food: We're required to have food at the event. Specifically, we're required to have Wolfgang Puck cater the event. We will be having a full open bar for the entire event, as well as a seated dinner (chicken with an optional vegetarian meal). All this is included with your registration.

Cost: The ARC is heavily subsidizing the cost of the event, but in order to make this happen, we'll have to charge $20 per attendee. ARC Members only. If you want your spouse/significant other to go, they'll need to be ARC members (individual or family) and also pay the $20. We don't like it either, but the only way this event is going to happen is to have the people attending help offset the cost.

Sign-up: Sorry - registration for this event is closed.

Other notes:

• Parking is $7 per car in the parking garage, or you can park outside the Aquarium, typically for $5, or take Marta and walk.
• There's not an entrance fee to get into the aquarium, as long as you're coming directly for that event (I believe we'll be using the Special Venue entrance). However, if you want to come and view the aquarium before hand, I believe we can get discounted tickets. Same with behind the scenes- we can get discounted tickets.
• This event is targeted for adults. While some people may have kids that fall within the family plan, please allow for our primary club members first priority.
• Again, ARC members only. If you would like to bring your significant other, they'll also need to be a member.

I'm sure I've missed some things. I'll answer them in this thread and add it to this post as they come up.

[Lifestudent]

Thank you Chris and Raj for arranging this party!

[tito]

iam in for these one

[Seth The Wine Guy]

Wolfgang Puck huh? I was counting on Thomas Keller. This changes everything!

[stacy22]

Kudos to the party planners.

[ichthyoid]

[Mockery]

So is the only way to RSVP through paypal? I don't have one but would still like to go.

[MikeW]

U can always give the money to someone who has PayPal. Then they can pay it for you.

[Skriz]

Originally Posted by Mockery

So is the only way to RSVP through paypal? I don't have one but would still like to go.

You don't have to have an account anymore to use PayPal. (I think..)

[Mockery]

Originally Posted by Skriz

You don't have to have an account anymore to use PayPal. (I think..)

Ok I'll look into it.

But it looks like a friend can do it for me.

[Wally]

Just thought I'd ask, but is there a recommended dress code, or whatever's clever?


Wally

[PFCDeitz]

So it's 20.00 for me and 50.00 for my gf to go? 30.00 membership and 20.00 for food

[mojo]

Hmm. There's no mandated dress code by the Ga Aquarium, but let's treat it like a cocktail party. Decent shirt and at least nice jeans or the equivalent.

Edit:

Originally Posted by PFCDeitz

So it's 20.00 for me and 50.00 for my gf to go? 30.00 membership and 20.00 for food

Yes. Or upgrade to a family membership (another $10 I believe?) and then $20 for entrance. Stacy22 can comment about the details on upgrading.

Edit: Actually, a family membership is only valid for married couples or their children. A girlfriend/boyfriend or a person that happens to live in the same house can't fall under a family membership. This is the way it's been in the past, and it should be applied here as well.

[Seth The Wine Guy]

Originally Posted by mojo

Yes. Or upgrade to a family membership (another $10 I believe?) and then $20 for entrance. Stacy22 can comment about the details on upgrading.

That's what I did last year. I got to the holiday party and was made aware of the family membership idea. No brainer.

[LilRobb]

IMPORTANT!

If you are paying by paypal - you MUST include the screenname of the person/s paying for.
We already have a dozen or so payments from generic email addresses that cannot be tied to any ARC user!

I will reply by email to those that cannot be resolved.

[Landon]

This sounds like a blast. Thanks for setting this up guys.

[holabird]

Will there be any behind the scenes look at the aquarium or will we just be in the big viewing area? Either way, its a great deal.

[mojo]

Originally Posted by holabird

Will there be any behind the scenes look at the aquarium or will we just be in the big viewing area? Either way, its a great deal.

Just the big viewing area. We tried to get the behind the scenes as part of the deal, but just couldn't stretch the budget that much. If there's a group that want to do that, we do get a discount on tickets.

[mojo]

The BoD pointed out to me that in the past, we've restricted "family" memberships to be exactly that - those in your immediate family - spouse or children. Even if you live in the same house.

So... if you're looking to bring your girlfriend or friend, they'll need a separate ARC membership - a family membership won't suffice. Sorry.

[mahimahi]

What if your under 18 but your the one with the tank? Can a parent come and not be a member or does my parent also need to an account.