OVERSEAS MARYLANDERS ASSOCIATION (OMA) GATHERING
Friday, 10 November – Sunday, 12 November 2017
Savannah, Georgia

Following successful gatherings around the U.S. and in Heidelberg, Germany, the next gathering takes place in Savannah, November 10-12, 2017.

A factor in Savannah being selected is because of its central location between the greater D.C. area and Florida---both areas where many OMA members live. Like its southern sister, Charleston, Savannah scores high on everybody’s list of great places. Its beautiful historic district, museums and restaurants helped Savannah reach #2 on Southern Living’s “The South’s Best Cities, 2017.”

REGISTRATION 
 
If you are planning to attend, please click here to register. And you may register at any time by clicking SAVANNAH Registration in the menu list on the top left side of the OMA Home Page. 
 
The sooner you register, the easier it will be to gather accurate head-counts for the welcome reception, meeting refreshments and group dinners. Click here to see the list of people who have already registered for the Savannah Gathering.
 
VENUE HOTEL 

OMA activities will take place in the DeSoto Hotel, located in the heart of the historic district, and itself a feature with surviving structures and decorations from the 1890s.

The DeSoto
15 E. Liberty St.
Savannah GA  31401

Hotel Contact: Ms. Tonya Harris
Phone: 912-443-2021
Email: tharris@thedesotosavannah.com

Please note that until mid-August 2017, the official name of "The DeSoto" hotel will be “Hilton Savannah Desoto."  Then, in August, it will become simply The DeSoto.

The reduced rate for OMA members is $169 plus applicable taxes and fees of about 15%.

The above rate be obtained ONLY by contacting Ms. Tonya Harris directly, and mentioning OMA by name.  Ms. Harris is the DeSoto's "Group Room Coordinator" and can be reached directly via telephone:  912-443-2021; via e-mail: tharris@thedesotosavannah.com

Even if the DeSoto website notes that the dates for the OMA gathering are sold out, the above reduced rate will still be available until early October 2017. After then, only standard room rates will be available.

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY 10 NOVEMBER

      1300---1730    OMA registration desk.  Lobby DeSoto Hotel.    

      1730---1830     Reception---pay as you go.  "Harbor View Ballroom." 15th floor, DeSoto Hotel---a quite fine view.

      1830--2200     Dinner.   Harbor View Ballroom.  15th floor.  DeSoto.

      2200---???       DeSoto Lobby bar.

SATURDAY 11 NOVEMBER

      0830---0930    Coffee/tea/light food items. Private "Pulaski" room. Ground floor. DeSoto

      0930---1230     OMA general meeting. OMA business items. Introductions. Films perhaps

       Lunch and afternoon---on one's own.

       1800---1900    Reception---pay as you go--at a local restaurant, probably within walking distance of DeSoto.

       1900---2200     Dinner at the local restaurant---which will be selected in coming few weeks.

SUNDAY 12 NOVEMBER

      Activities/events.  Still to be determined.   

 

COSTS

      For general planning purposes:

           Registration Fee                               $ 45.00

                 (Intended to cover costs related to venue hotel to include Saturday AM refreshments.)

           Friday Night Dinner

                  Menu options yet to be determined, but likely to be in the $ 47-62 range per person.

           Saturday Night dinner

                   Menu options still to be determined, but perhaps slightly higher. Say, $ 50-65.

 

           Reception drinks and wine/beer/whatever with dinners not included in above estimates.

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By good fortune, the Savannah OMA Gathering is taking place during the same period as the "Savannah Wine and Food Festival," which runs from 6-12 November.   Based on all available information, the Food/Wine Festival is quite a gala event---with many wining/dining special activities being held. For a preview, just google.   

But...the reality of the Wine and Food Festival and the Veterans Day holiday weekend, does mean that OMA attendees will be well advised to arrange for their accommodations as soon as possible. And, as noted earlier, slightly discounted rates at available at the DeSoto Hotel---the venue hotel.

So...register soon, and see you in Savannah.