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Colleagues, We had recently become aware of this
impending problem but everyone was amazed that it seemed to happen almost
overnight. We have already begun a process to identify another
property to use for the March 2004 Plenary. We are receiving major
assistance from Hyatt National Sales as well as some other industry
resources. The good news is that due the current economic downturn it
appears we have several very reasonable alternatives, some of which are even
located in the Orlando area, which would of course make for a very easy
transition. We are currently evaluating these alternatives to find our
best options and are hoping to provide a ranked list of the final candidates by
the end of next week. We do at least have enough strong candidates that we
feel very confident that this will be a low impact substitution (and given the
current economic conditions might even qualify as a trade-up to an even better
deal).
So
hang in there, Houston ... help is on the way !!!
:-)
Now for one question to our SEC: One
exceptionally good alternative is only available for the week following our
currently scheduled week of March 14-19, 2004. Is anyone aware of a
serious conflict or dislocation that would occur if we were to consider a
proposal for the week of March 21-26, as an alternative ??? If there
are known significant conflicts we will not consider the change of dates.
Thanx, Buzz
Dr. Everett O. (Buzz) Rigsbee
Boeing -
SSG
PO Box 3707, M/S: 7M-FM
Seattle, WA 98124-2207
(425)
865-2443 Fx: (425)
865-6721
everett.o.rigsbee@boeing.com
What are we doing about the March
04 Plenary? I just got this off the Hyatt website (http://hyattorlando.hyatt.com/):
Hyatt Hotels
Corporation announces the impending closure of Hyatt Orlando located at 6375
West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, Florida. After more than 30
years of service to the traveling public and the Orlando area community as a
member of the Hyatt family of hotels, the hotel will close to the public on
Friday, September 12, 2003.
Due to the
unavailability of funds to maintain operations, the hotel is compelled to
close. Since the initiation of bankruptcy proceedings by Orlando Hyatt Hotel
Associates Limited, owner of the hotel, on April 24, 2002, Hyatt attempted to
maintain normal hotel operations at Hyatt Orlando.
In the face of
anticipated operating shortfalls, hotel ownership secured financing to cover
shortfalls expected over the final months of 2003. Hotel ownership and Hyatt
recently were advised by representatives of Lennar Partners, acting in their
capacity as representatives of the hotel lender, that it was directing the
filing of a motion to withdraw the committed interim financing.
Following efforts by Hyatt and hotel ownership to discuss an orderly
transition or closure plan with Lennar Partners and the bankruptcy court's
subsequent decision not to hear an emergency motion to compel the funding of
the previously committed financing this week, hotel ownership directed Hyatt
to commence the immediate closure of the hotel as directed by the owner and
lender.
Efforts to avoid a sudden closure have been unsuccessful, and
hotel ownership and Hyatt have been left no alternative but to close the
hotel. Hyatt has no information as to the future of the hotel, which will be
resolved through the bankruptcy proceeding.
Hyatt remains committed to
Orlando and is grateful to the community for the many years of support to
Hyatt Orlando. Hyatt values its relationship with the employees of the Hyatt
Orlando and, to the degree possible, will attempt to offer employment at other
Hyatt hotels in the Orlando-area where positions are available.
Guests
with current reservations at Hyatt Orlando will be contacted by Hyatt's
customer service department. Hyatt's Central Reservation Center in Omaha will
no longer be accepting reservations for Hyatt Orlando as of the night
preceding the closure date.
If you have any questions about current
reservations, please call 1-888-694-9288.
Matthew
Sherman
Vice Chair, IEEE
802
Technology
Consultant
Communications Technology
Research
AT&T Labs - Shannon
Laboratory
Room B255, Building 103
180 Park Avenue
P.O. Box 971
Florham Park, NJ
07932-0971
Phone: +1 (973) 236-6925
Fax: +1 (973) 360-5877
EMAIL: mjsherman@att.com
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