2012 SUGAR Group RRRoundup Information

[Usha77]

2012 SUGAR Group RRRoundup Information

The 2011 RRRoundup will be unlike any event previously - bigger and better than last year's even!

This year's event will take place in Tulsa, OK on March 16-17, 2012

ADDITIONALLY - the gathering will be available for you to participate from home if you aren't able to attend. For a small fee, those who can't physically be at the event can participate from home as they will be given access to all the educational materials, live chat interface with the event and live viewing of all the speakers and demonstrations. There are even a few activities and door prizes planned ONLY for those participating from home.

With a focus on research and rescue needs, this gathering will put strong emphasis on data collection and research planning. We have been hard at work for many months planning this gathering and assure you that you will want to be a part of this event.


Details will be revealed as we are able to confirm them. But, we wanted to give you this information right now so you can begin or continue your plans to attend knowing all the options available to you. We will post hotel information, FAQ and other exciting details in the next 4-6 weeks.

Looking forward to seeing you all there - in one way or another!

[wjohnw]

Ahhhh Tulsa..... made famous by Friends and one Mr Chandler Bing!!

[Usha77]

Lol!  Love Chandler!

[Usha77]

Only a few short months left!  Yay!!

[Usha77]

RRRoundup Activities to look forward to:

We are hard at work preparing fabulous activities to keep you busy and engaged throughout this RRRoundup weekend.  We have not finalized all of our plans, but can let you know a few of the fun activities that we have on the agenda.

This year's RRRoundup will include the following activities and MORE!

*  Pouch Bingo
*  Toy repair demo/teaching
*  Secret Suggie gift exchange
*  Dinner on Friday night
*  Personality Plus contest winners revealed
*  Free Wellness exams on Friday

[Usha77]

Hotel/Venue information

The 2012 RRRoundup will be held at the Homewood Suites by Hilton - Tulsa South
http://homewoodsuites1.hilton.com/en_US/hw/hotel/TULHWHW-Homewood-Suites-by-Hilton-Tulsa-South-Oklahoma/index.do

4900 West Madison place
Broken Arrow, OK
918-392-7777

RRRoundup Attendees  booking with the SUGAR Group's group rate will enjoy the following benefits:

*  1 Bedroom Suite (with 1 king bed or 2 queen beds) at $109 per night

*   A one time PER STAY pet fee of $50

*  EACH room features a full kitchen and a living area

*  High speed internet

*  Complimentary hot breakfast

*  And for those arriving on Thursday, there will be complimentary dinner and drinks as well.

When booking, it is NECESSARY that you book with the SUGAR Group's room block or you will be charged additonal fees.  You may book your room by contacting the hotel at the number listed above.  It is best if you ask for Narmeen Shaker to ensure that you get the special rates we have negotiated.

Reservations MUST be made before March 1, 2012 to guarantee these rates.

*  We realize that this room rate is higher than our previous RRRoundup rates.  However, these rooms are large enough to allow for you to join with several other people to share the room costs.  We have a few cots available if you really want to add more people to a room.  Each room has the number of beds you book AND a sofa - and many of them are sleeper sofas.  So, find some roommates and come join us!!!


*** Please note that you might be able to get a better room rate by booking through their website.  HOWEVER, if you do this, you will have to pay in advance and the payment is NON-REFUNDABLE.  Additionally, if you book outside of our block/group rate, then you will be charged their regular pet fee (if you have gliders with you), which is $75 per day.   Please make your own judgment about what is best for you, but if you do book through their website, please make sure you let Val know.

[Usha77]

It is no secret that the success of the SUGAR Group's fundraising efforts throughout the year are directly related to the generosity of the amazing vendors in this community.  We are so very grateful to each of you who have contributed to our efforts throughout the year, as this directly helps us pay our lab bill each month (which averages $400 per month).

As you may know, the RRRoundup is quickly approaching.  This is one of our largest fundraising efforts of the year.  So, we are calling upon vendors to once again help us out.

This year, we are asking for donations in various categories for the RRRoundup:

* Donation to the raffle (all profit after RRRoundup expenses are paid will go to research efforts of the SUGAR Group)

* Donation to pouch Bingo - safe pouches and specialty sleeping spaces are required for the prizes for bingo this year. Single pouches, bonding pouches or specialty sleeping spaces only, please (no sets).

* Donation to the "door prizes" and auctions for those participating from home.  Gift certificates are acceptable as are actual prizes.  We will put together several auction packages again this year and will also offer a few door prizes.  So, anything is game here.

*  Donation to a special raffle for those attendees who complete surveys at the RRRoundup.  Because collecting data is essential to our research, we offer a special raffle to those who participate in surveys or studies during the weekend of the RRRoundup.  This year, we will be offering an entire cage set up in a TURTLE theme.  So, feel free to donate any turtle themed items that you feel would add to this raffle.

* Donation of toy making parts for our toy repair teaching/demo time.


Because we know that your time and your items are valuable, we are prepared to offer you the following in return for a donation of any size:

1) ANYONE who donates will be listed and thanked in our program

2) Because the RRRoundup is being webcast this year, we have a potential world-wide audience. Therefore, we will be displaying a slide show during breaks which will feature some special trivia and advertisements. Vendors who donate will receive the following:

** Those who donate one item to any of the above will receive a 1/8 page ad with their logo displayed

** Those who donate to any two of the above will receive a 1/4 page ad

** Those who donate to the raffle AND pouch bingo AND either the special turtle raffle OR a door prize/auction item will receive one full page ad

*** Those who donate to the raffle ,pouch bingo, a door prize/auction item AND either toy making parts or a turtle themed item will receive one full page ad AND one 1/2 page ad.


Deadline for donations is February 25th, 2012.  While donations will be accepted after this time, we will not guarantee the ads for any donations that are received after the cut off date (this is the date we will have Brandon begin working on the slideshow ads.)

Please send all donations to:

SUGAR Group c/o Val Betts
604 Deahl St.
Borger, TX 79007

We so appreciate your contributions to our research efforts. Thanks in advance!

[Usha77]

REGISTRATION

Registration for the RRRoundup for those attending in person will include:

* All take-away materials for attendee
* Kick-Off Dinner on Friday night
* One free bingo card at Pouch Bingo
* Lunch on Saturday (Dinner is on your own)
* A few special surprises
* Free access to the online "after party" on our videoconferencing site


Registration Fees (for those attending in person):
Early Registration (Through Feb. 17, 2012) = $55
Registration (Feb. 17 - March 1, 2011) = $65
Last Minute Registration (March 1-March 16) = $70

*** ANY registration after March 1 will be accepted, but all pre-ordered and personalized conference materials and/or gifts will not be made available for those registering after that time. 

Payment option:
We will offer the option of paying registration in two installments. Installment agreement for a total of $55 + $5 administrative fee will be as follows:
1st payment due JAN 31= $30
2nd payment due FEB 17= $30

** Any registration installment agreement NOT PAID IN FULL BY FEBRUARY 22, 2012 will be CANCELLED and 70% of money paid will be refunded to the registrant. Please note that cancelled installment agreements mean that you are NOT registered for the event.


All Registration fees must be paid in full prior to the event.


REGISTRATION TO PARTICIPATE ONLINE
For those registering to participate from home online, registration will include:

* Access to the online webcast Friday - Saturday, March 16-17, 2012
* Chat interface with the live broadcast on Saturday
* All conference materials will be emailed to you prior to the event
* One entry into our special door prize drawings for those participating online ONLY
* Ability to participate in our online "after party" late Saturday night following the event.


Registration Fees (for those participating online):
Early Registration (Through FEB 17, 2012) = $10
Registration (Feb. 17 - March 7, 2012) = $15

Due to the logistics of this event, we will NOT be able to accept registration to participate online after March 7, 2012. You MUST register and PAY IN FULL prior to March 7, 2012 to participate live online.



VIEWING PARTY REGISTRATION
This year we will offer the option of hosting a viewing party in your location.  This will allow you to gather your friends and all participate together Viewing parties can be tons of fun!

A viewing party registration will include:
 
* ONE log on for the online viewing for the event
* Permission for you to have as many people as you like at your location for the event
* ONE entry for the online door prizes for your location.
* A "viewing party tips/tricks and information" guide emailed to you after your registration.
* Chat interface with the live broadcast on Saturday
* All conference materials will be emailed to you prior to the event


Registration Fees (for those hosting a viewing party):
Early Registration (Through FEB 17, 2012) = $35
Registration (Feb. 17 - March 7, 2012) = $40


Due to the logistics of this event, we will NOT be able to accept registration to participate online after March 7, 2012. You MUST register and PAY IN FULL prior to March 7, 2012 to participate live online.




VENDOR REGISTRATION

Vendor registration price is FREE this year for a table/space. Space is limited, so will be on a first come/first served basis.  We DO need you to register that you intend to vend, so please fill out the vendor registration form on the SUGAR Group website.




Registration is now open on our website!
http://www.sugargroup.org/

[Usha77]

I know, we won't likely see any of you in person at this gathering - but it would be really cool! 

Thursday night Glider Food Night

Thanks to a generous donation by Wombaroo Passwell and The Pampered Glider, we are going to offer a special glider feeding night on Thursday night for Tulsa Attendees.

We will be discussing and demonstrating Australian ways of feeding gliders and giving some of their ways a try.

All food for gliders will be provided by Wombaroo Paswell.
 
Consult your schedules in your arrival/registration packets for time and location. 

[Usha77]

General RRRoundup schedule
All Times are CST and are subject to change

Thursday
– Early arrivals
Free dinner at hotel
7:30 ish – Wombaroo Passwell Glider Food night in Val’s Room


Friday, March 16
9-1:00 – Free vet visits with Dr. Walsh

2:30-5:00 – Toy repair and making session

6:00 – Dinner for Tulsa Attendees – Soups, salads, cheese plate and dessert

6:30-7:30  – Webcast for those participating at home. 
   Personality Plus Awards Winners announced

8:00 – Pouch Bingo for Tulsa Attendees


Saturday, March 17
8:30 – Registration for Tulsa Attendees

9:00 – General announcements and instructions for Tulsa Attendees

9:30 a.m. – Webcast for online participants begins.

12:30 -1:30 CST – lunch Break  -  Lunch catered by Chic-fil-A for Tulsa Attendees

5:30 ish – RRRoundup Ends for online participants

After raffle, Tulsa attendees will complete Secret Suggie Gift Exchange and will participate in Vending and Kingdom Kritters Dinner.

[Usha77]

Secret Suggie Gift Exchange

As we have the last few years, we will host a Secret Suggie Gift Exchange the weekend of the RRRoundup that will be unique and tons of fun!  Conference Attendees are not required to participate. If you WANT to participate, you MUST indicate that you will participate on the registration form when you register.

Those participating must bring a wrapped, sugar glider related gift valued at no less than $20. You will receive further instructions with your registration packet at the event. This one is going to be lots of fun!