UPDATE – NABF CONVENTION, MAY 15-19 ON WAIKIKI BEACH
Aloha boxing officials, managers and promoters!
Having returned from Hawaii after a series of pre-convention planning meetings, I wanted to encourage you to get your flights and rooms booked for the NABF Convention at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on May 15th through the 19th. I apologize for the long email, but I wanted to get this information – and some photos – to all of you so that you can get a better feel for the idyllic setting for our 51 st Annual Convention.
We’re only about two months out, so it’s time to lock in your plans before we run out of our allotment of rooms or airfares get too high. For those flying from California, Southwest just opened their flights from Oakland and San Jose to Honolulu for purchase (with advertised fares as low as $49 each way!), and Hawaiian Airlines added daily service between Long Beach and Honolulu earlier this year.
The Marriott is beautiful, and it is right across the street from the beach. It has two separate towers and five restaurants, and it is short stroll to two separate shopping centers, with countless shops and restaurants. I was able to take some time each night to just walk along Waikiki Beach, and it was amazing – I think everyone is really going to love this location!
Given the deal that we have, this also is a unique opportunity for boxing officials to experience all that Hawaii has to offer at rates far below normal. Chuck Williams not only has negotiated a GREAT rate for us ($185 per night City View; $210 per night Ocean View), but also has gotten the hotel to waive the resort fee for all attendees who register through our Passkey link. Factoring in the resort fees and the current rates on Marriott’s website, we are looking at savings
of up to $100 per night. While you should consult with your accountant on the details, the trip largely should qualify as tax deductible for individuals who earn income through boxing. Fun, sun AND a tax deduction? Sign me up! LOL
As for renting a car to check out areas away from Waikiki Beach, the hotel has pretty steep nightly parking charges ($45 for self-parking; $50 for valet). A more economical option may be to rent from the on-premises rental car facilities. There is an Enterprise location in the hotel, and a Hertz and Dollar location in one of the shops right outside of the hotel. While I didn’t have a chance to speak with the Dollar/Hertz rep, the Enterprise rep confirmed that they allow – and
even encourage – a series of separate, consecutive one-day rentals, so you would return the car each day, avoid the overnight parking charges and get the same (or another) car the next day.
As reflected on the schedules that we previously distributed (and that will be posted shortly to www.NABFnews.com), we have tried to schedule everything in the mornings in order to leave attendees free to get out and enjoy the beauty of Hawaii. We will have an open bar cocktail party every evening on the deck next to one of the pools (with the exception of the cocktail party on Thursday night, which is on the lanai outside of the banquet room) so that everyone can get back together, share photos/stories and make plans for the evening. There are TONS of dining options in the area, and Duke’s Waikiki – which is right off of the sand – is a short stroll downthe beach and offers great views and cold brews! Given our Canadian Rep’s familiarity with it, I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes the 2019 “home” for Team Canada!
Here is the Passkey link for those who have not already booked:
https://book.passkey.com/event/49806123/owner/10882/home
Also, do not forget to pre-register for the Convention itself to get the discounted rate at:
http://nabfnews.com/2017-convention.html
Download this document (PDF) with photos here.