The 1995 Seven Years War Association Spring Meet or Convention will now be held on April 7 & 8 at the Holiday Inn Downtown, South Bend, Indiana. This is actually the date I originally coveted, but could not get because hotel management wanted to keep it open for big weddings, which often occur in April. However, when another group wanted our original weekend, I was able to wring considerable concessions out of the events director. The most important being that we can get a great room rate of $52.00 per night for a double, and there is no provision that we have to rent for both nights in order to get the better rate, as was the case this year. The inn was going to charge $69.00 per night in 1995 due to the fact that they had records indicating that we rented only nine rooms for two nights, a rather dismal performance since Herb Gundt got the cheaper rate based on his guess that 30 rooms would be rented. If two guys rent a room, I cannot see where they can do much better financially at one of the local dumps--always so dear to gamers' hearts as they can then buy a few more figures that they'll never get around to painting. I think that we need to urge members to get rooms at this fine hotel this year.

[Editor: I agree with Dean on this point; the rooms are very posh and it's a short elevator ride to the game room, has an entrance to the indoor parking garage--very convenient. So please stay at the hotel if you plan to attend the convention.]

Another plus is that they cut the rental cost from $300 to $150. Our dilemma now is, should we use the extra money to further the convention--perhaps we can rent some AV equipment so the Friday evening recap of the Duffy European Tour can be enhanced--or perhaps buy one of Herb Gundt's masterpiece buildings for a door prize.

It is important that the rooms be reserved prior to March 7, 1995 in order to assure availability. Advance payment or a credit card number is required, as usual, to hold the room.

The Holiday Inn Downtown is a large, new, friendly, full service hotel located in the heart of the city. The Council Oak Ballroom served as the gaming and dealer area for our event. It was spacious and well-appointed, with good temperature control. A large lounge area fronting the ballroom provided a comfortable conversation area away from the gaming area, but still in the vacinity. There was room in just half the ballroom for five or six large game tables in addition to the dealer area. The banquet area was set up Saturday evening in the other half. This area could be utilized for gaming all Friday night and most of Saturday. Ten or twelve games could be acomodated if the entire space were utilized. Secluded on the sixth floor, the facility was well-clear of the unwashed masses, private and conducive to relaxation and comraderie; yet a quick elevator ride to the rooms.

I will reluctantly admit that I was not crazy about the banquet entree--chicken stuffed with apples and what have you. As co-chairman of next year's event I'm thinking perhaps the London Broil will be more suitable to Frederician palates.

Finally, the hotel people liked us and welcome us back. After the event Herb sent them a complimentary letter from the association. This garnered much PR mileage for the association. The Holiday Inn Downtown wants us to come back next year and to eventually make it our permanent venue.

Any suggestions for the improvement of next year's event will be well-received. One change I would like to see is a reception for attendees on Friday night, with perhaps a short lecture on some controversial aspect of the war in order to encourage debate. Co-chairman Jim Mitchell is in charge of organizing wargames for the convention. We are trying to badger Paul Petri and Brian Vizek to develop some sort of program based on the Duffy Tour, which was attended by many association members. I understand that much video was shot, not to mention photos, and the crazed Petri apparently taped every word that flowed from the professor (our Guru and Hero) during the trip.

Mark your calendars now! We are working hard to make next year's meet the most entertaining to date. If you've never attended the Seven Years War Association Meet in the past, we urge you to give it a chance. A weekend of fun with like-minded fanatics does not come along in this life every day.