Events at PVSC

Social & Companion Program


Hello PVSC Companions,

Just like you, I have been a companion to many conference cities, but few of them are as exciting and compelling as New Orleans. New Orleans is a city that needs no introduction, it has an abundant mix of cultural, culinary, historical, musical, beautiful, and fascinating attractions. There is without a doubt something intriguing for everyone.

On top of that, the PVSC committee has been working hard to plan a fabulous conference including special activities for companions. When you register as a companion, you will be invited to join us every morning for the companions’ breakfast, featuring a few of New Orleans morning specialties. Your companion registration is also your ticket to the Exhibitor’s Welcome Reception and the Cherry Award Reception, both of which are always fun and friendly events featuring food, drinks, and merriment. Finally, we plan to take advantage of the beautiful weather and pool at the Hyatt Regency with a Companions’ Cabana every afternoon. All of these activities are included with your $25 companion registration – quite the deal!

Optional, but highly recommended, activities included professionally guided tours of some of the highlights of New Orleans. These private tours promise not only a fascinating look at New Orleans, but a fun way to meet other companions while enjoying the ease of private tours with door-to-door service aboard air conditioned transportation.

I hope that I will get the chance to meet you in New Orleans.

Cheers,
Geneva Ringel
PVSC Companions Chair
 

Monday, June 15, 2015

Companion Breakfast (7:00 - 8:30 AM)

Join us for a continental breakfast before starting out your day. This is a great place to meet other companions at the conference. This will also be the gathering spot for the daily tour. If you prefer to make independent plans a representative from the New Orleans Conference and Visitor’s Bureau will be here to answer any questions you may have. This event is included with Companion Registration.


Companion Tour #1: New Orleans “Highlights” City Tour with Mardi Gras World (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM)

     

From the sultry history of the French Quarter to the majesty of St. Charles Avenue’s stately mansions, this is a thorough and fascinating introduction to the endless variety of sights found in the “Big Easy. Begin traveling through the historic French Quarter past famous landmarks such as the Saint Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square with its old world flavor and its own colorful art colony.

Journey down Esplanade Avenue and see one of the nation’s largest parks as you venture out to the lakefront with a short stop at the newly added “Morning Call” within the beautiful grounds of City Park.

From there, your group will catch the I-10 back into the city to “go to the Mardi Gras” – World that is! Your group will see real Mardi Gras Floats and prop in the actual warehouse where they are constructed for a variety of Krewes. Learn about the History of Mardi Grasin New Orleans by watching a short film and then touring the Float Den. Don’t forget to visit the gift shop on your way out!

Next, sit back and relax as you wind down St. Charles Avenue following the country’s oldest streetcar line, see Tulane and Loyola Universities as well as beautifully restored mansions as we work our way back into Downtown. All of the stories and facts will leave you with a real sense of New Orleans’ true spirit, its proud history and rich culture.

Tour Inclusions:

• Deluxe Roundtrip Transportation
• Narrated Sightseeing City Tour
• Admission to Mardi Gras World
• Uniformed Licensed Tour Guide

Duration: 4 Hours
Cost per person: Adults - $45.00 / Children - $22.50


Companion Cabana, Hyatt Pool (1:30 - 4:30 PM)
Join us at the pool under the Companion Cabana. This event is included with Companion Registration.
Exhibitor’s Welcome Reception (5:30 PM - 8:00 PM)
This event is included with Companion Registration.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Companion Breakfast (7:00 - 8:30 AM)
Join us for a continental breakfast before starting out your day. This is a great place to meet other companions at the conference. This will also be the gathering spot for the daily tour. If you prefer to make independent plans a representative from the New Orleans Conference and Visitor’s Bureau will be here to answer any questions you may have. This event is included with Companion Registration.

Companion Tour 2: Louisiana Flatboat Swamp Tour (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM)

    

Forget about the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter and experience another kind of “wildlife”. Enter the land of swamps and marshes, home to hundreds of species of unique and interesting animals and discover the land that gave birth to Cajun culture and cuisine.

Boarding a specially designed pontoon boat, this excursion starts on a bayou… local parlance for small rivulet or stream. Gnarled and twisted cypress stumps and branches lushly draped with Spanish moss line the banks of this waterway. On this meandering cruise, the captain, a native of the region, provides an interesting and entertaining narrative of the history of this massive swampland. Catch a glimpse of any number of animals that inhabit the area: bald eagles, alligators, blue herons, snappin’ turtles and water snakes – the list goes on. You will even get a peek at an authentic Cajun “trapper’s shack” nestled in this beautiful swampland. For a truly fun and fantastic visit outside of the city, visit Louisiana’s other wildlife!

“PRIVATE Louisiana Swamp Tour” Specifications:
• Deluxe Roundtrip Transportation
• Narrated Private Swamp Tour
• Uniformed Licensed Tour Guide

Duration: 4 Hours
Cost per person: Adults - $35.00 / Children - $17.50


Companion Cabana, Hyatt Pool (1:30 - 4:30 PM)
Join us at the pool under the Companion Cabana. This event is included with Companion Registration.
Cherry Award Reception(5:30 PM - 7:00 PM)
This event is included with Companion Registration.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Companion Breakfast (7:00 - 8:30 AM)
Join us for a continental breakfast before starting out your day. This is a great place to meet other companions at the conference. This will also be the gathering spot for the daily tour. If you prefer to make independent plans a representative from the New Orleans Conference and Visitor’s Bureau will be here to answer any questions you may have. This event is included with Companion Registration.

Companion Tour 3: Grace and Grandeur: Houmas House Plantation (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM)

    

Houmas House Plantation, nicknamed “The Sugar Palace,” for its beautiful appearance and reference to its massive sugar production during the early 1800’s, has recently been restored to its original Grandeur. Refurbished with period antiques, fixtures and furnishings from the 1800s, the home now stands as a glorified example of a grand plantation of the South.

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by docents attired in antebellum dress. Stories of life during the 1800’s will peak your interest as you explore 16 exquisite rooms filled with Louisiana artwork and artifacts dating back to the original plantation. Then, take in the beautiful gardens, filled with flowing fountains and water lilies. The live oaks on the grounds are ranked among some of the oldest and most striking in the world.

“Grace and Grandeur” Specifications:
• Deluxe Roundtrip Transportation
• Admission and tour of Houmas House & Gardens
• Uniformed Licensed Tour Guide

Duration: 4 Hours
Cost per person: Adults - $40.00 / Children - $20.00


Companion Cabana, Hyatt Pool (1:30 - 4:30 PM)
Join us at the pool under the Companion Cabana. This event is included with Companion Registration.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Companion Breakfast (7:00 - 8:30 AM)
Join us for a continental breakfast before starting out your day. This is a great place to meet other companions at the conference. This will also be the gathering spot for the daily tour. If you prefer to make independent plans a representative from the New Orleans Conference and Visitor’s Bureau will be here to answer any questions you may have. This event is included with Companion Registration.
Companion Tour 4: Sacred and Mysterious: Churches and Cemeteries

(9:00 AM - 12:00 PM)

    

Religion is an integral part of the culture and history of New Orleans. On this tour, you will delve into the religious culture and spirit of Louisiana by visiting its most famous churches and cemeteries. It is here that you will admire great architecture, exquisite wood, stained glass and stone, and learn about the “Cities of the Dead.” Explore the city’s most unique cemetery, St. Louis #1. Unlike other cities, all tombs are above-ground here and were frequently designed by famous architects. You’ll visit the tombs of both the famous and infamous like Paul Morphy, the world chess champion, and Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe is the oldest church still standing in the city. The building was built in 1826 and was originally used as burial grounds for the fallen victims of yellow fever. Now, this is the official chapel of the New Orleans Police and Fire Departments.

Next, take a brief tour of the Garden District and visit the old Lafayette Cemetery. Established in 1833, Lafayette Cemetery No.1 is a non-segregated, non-denominational cemetery. Perhaps the most famous residents are fictional. The tomb for the Mayfair witches, created by Anne Rice, in The Witching Hour, fits a combination of the Lafayette and Jefferson fireman tombs. Lafayette Cemetery has been featured in many films including Double Jeopardy and Dracula.

“Sacred and Mysterious” Specifications
• Deluxe Roundtrip Transportation
• Admission to St. Louis I Cemetery
• Admission to Our Lady of Guadalupe
• Admission to Lafayette I Cemetery
• (1) Bottled Water Per Person
• Uniformed Licensed Tour Guide

Duration: 3 Hours
Cost per person: Adults - $28.00 / Children - $14.00


Companion Cabana, Hyatt Pool (1:30 - 4:30 PM)
Join us at the pool under the Companion Cabana. This event is included with Companion Registration.
Conference Banquet: Generations Hall

(6:30 PM - 10:30 PM)

   

We have organized an incredible evening for you to enjoy in a style that is vintage New Orleans!  Please join your friends and colleagues at the venerable Generations Hall for the PVSC’s first-ever Masquerade! After all, what’s a celebration in New Orleans without a little mischief? Originally built in the early 1820’s as a sugar refinery, Generations Hall is now a beautiful harbinger to New Orleans’ storied history, located in New Orleans’ eclectic warehouse district. This renovated building has a rustic look with open beams, brick walls, and 35-foot ceilings celebrating the classic charm and musical influences of New Orleans combined with a modern feel. Divided into four separate areas, the facility celebrates the influence of music upon New Orleans. Each space provides a different atmosphere, where guests can explore and wander from the Big Room, the Metropolitan, and Garden Room or through the 20,000 square foot lush courtyard.  Join your friends and colleagues for a memorable evening to enjoy New Orleans’ unique, world-renowned cuisine and music and be part of the PVSC’s first ever Masquerade (masks will be provided at the door)!  Please ensure your spot by registering early – this is a night you will not want to miss!

Regular attendee advance = $60
Regular attendee onsite = $75
Companions ages 0-6 = free
Companions ages 7-20 = $30

(transportation is included; however Generations Hall is a 10-15 minute walk from the Hyatt Regency for those preferring to enjoy the evening air)




 

 


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