Convocation 2010 - Boston MA

[RobbieNelson]

The 2010 50th biennial convocation will be held in Boston, MA at the Sheraton Ferncroft (http://www.sheratonferncroftresort.com/) resort. Looks like they have an indoor waterpark.

I'm not sure when these things get planned, but I didn't know the location until yesterday. I'll post more information as it become available.

[Endzone]

FINALLY, SIGMA PI COMES TO BOSTON!
I'm a local of Boston and live about 20 minutes from this Hotel.
Danvers is located just about 25 minutes north of Boston. I have heard that Sigma Pi will be running shuttles to/from Boston so thats good to hear. The Subway/Transit system is notorious for closing early (12:30 AM) before bars in (2 AM) in Boston.
Boston has multiple hot spots with bars, restuarants which include the Fenway Park area, Fanueil Hall, Causeway street (Boston Garden), the theater district and Allston/brighton which are satellite college towns of Boston.
The area of Danvers is close to Salem (ghost tours) and about 30 minutes north is Hampton Beach, NH. Danvers is connected to Boston By Route 1 which offers literally every chain restuarant and store you can imagine, and yes, adult entertainment.
The hotel itself recently became a kids waterpark, so I don't quite understand the logic of having a Convo in this location, its probably the pricing. Boston is expensive in the summer for hotels. Hopefully, the hotel gets its act together as its reviews on tripadvisor.com are not glowing.
Look forward to 2010!

[jgoodwin]

Do you think that nationals will try securing Red Sox tix for this event?

[RobbieNelson]

Do you think that nationals will try securing Red Sox tix for this event?

They got Phillies tickets in 2002. :dunno:

[Swallace]

EndZone, It is great to have you here. I have been to lots of places, but never to Boston.

How long is the train ride from NYC? I am looking at being there late in the Fall and if it is not far I can make the trip uup over a weekend or something. Of course, there really does not have to be much entertainment as long as there is Bud Light there.

Nothing better than a local to help with getting around at Convo...2010 seems like a lifetime from here, but Philly was a life time ago.

[Endzone]

I remember Convo 2002 and That Philly game!

Red Sox tickets are probably impossible, $20 tickets retail on the legal scalper market (www.aceticket.com) for around $80. But maybe they can work some magic.

As far as trains, a train ride from NYC to Boston is about 4 hours.

IF you rent a car up here, prepare to die :)

[John Kitch]

Do not doubt the skills and abilities of the HQ staff -- I would think the only thing that would keep them from getting a block of Bosox tickets would be if they were on the road.

[Toucan]

Do not doubt the skills and abilities of the HQ staff -- I would think the only thing that would keep them from getting a block of Bosox tickets would be if they were on the road.

Hello John Kitch (Past Grand Sage) welcome!

[Nahum Cook]

Hello John Kitch (Past Grand Sage) welcome!

x2

Welcome to a great venture that has been started by the Gamma Xi guys.

[Endzone]

Do not doubt the skills and abilities of the HQ staff -- I would think the only thing that would keep them from getting a block of Bosox tickets would be if they were on the road.

200 Sigma Pi's at Fenway Park would be the greatest thing ever.

As it gets closer feel free to ask questions about the local area to me. I'm glad to report we have 2 new colonies in the New England area (Bentley College in Waltham, MA) along with Keene State College which is actually a local fraternity that decided to chose Sigma Pi as the college required all fraternities to go national. I am still hoping we can get a chapter in the Boston/Cambridge area before 2010.

[Yukstin]

This just in for even further down the road....2012 Convocation will be held in San Antonio at the Hyatt Regency which is located right on the famous river walk...Mark signed the contract paperwork and everything this week!

http://sanantonioregency.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

[TravisM]

Awesome, I've heard great things about river walk.

[Endzone]

Just an Update:
Eta Tau held it's 15 anniversary at the Sheraton Ferncroft (which has now changed names to the Crowne Plaza North Shore).

Overall the rooms were nice, however security, was well, very very tight. We pride ourselves as a chapter, both alums and actives, as being a respectful group. Maybe the recent change of names will usher in better management.


Red Sox: schedule for the 2010 has not yet been posted...so that's a wait and see. PS: Anyone know the exact dates? I know usually its the last week of July or first week of august.


If anyone needs travel tips (Logan Airport, subway, ect) feel free to post and I'll be happy to help. When we get closer to the date, I'll post the actual cool things to see/do in Boston.

[CharlieDavis]

Hello John Kitch (Past Grand Sage) welcome!

Off the subject but I knew John has been with the forums for a long time (since Sept 08). How long do you have to be here to get rid of newbie under your name?

Convo in Boston gets a big thumbs up from me. I probably won't be able to go but that is my problem.

[TravisM]

Off the subject but I knew John has been with the forums for a long time (since Sept 08). How long do you have to be here to get rid of newbie under your name?
It is based solely on post count not length of time.

[David]

If anyone needs travel tips (Logan Airport, subway, ect) feel free to post and I'll be happy to help. When we get closer to the date, I'll post the actual cool things to see/do in Boston.

A couple of us from Indiana are thinking of maybe driving there. How easy is it driving around the city? I heard that it would be better to take a plane out there and bypass all the traffic.

[rlsheehan]

A couple of us from Indiana are thinking of maybe driving there. How easy is it driving around the city? I heard that it would be better to take a plane out there and bypass all the traffic.
Traffic in Boston is terrible, and parking is even worse. On the plus side, Boston has great public transportation. I have an aunt who lives out that way, and I've been there a few times.

[Cricket]

Awesome, I've heard great things about river walk.

The best food anywhere, and everything else worth doing downtown is within walking distance.

[Yukstin]

Traffic in Boston is terrible, and parking is even worse. On the plus side, Boston has great public transportation. I have an aunt who lives out that way, and I've been there a few times.

Something to keep in mind. This hotel and resort is not in downtown boston. It is around 20 minutes north of downtown and the airport. There is ample parking at the hotel and they have a free shuttle which will drop you at a train station 5 minutes away which will take you right into downtown Boston.

I'll be updating this thread as we get closer. I'm working on a lot of the Convo stuff and will hopefully be giving more updates soon!

Thanks.

[TravisM]

Justin,
Thanks for the info. Do you have any idea how late the shuttle runs? Is it a one way shuttle? What I mean is will if pick up and drop off?

[Yukstin]

Not sure how late it runs, I would imagine it would run as long as the trains run. Yes I believe it is 2 way.

[Endzone]

I know some guys from my active days drove from Boston to Indiana to Vincennes for SP University. Took them about 22 hours. If you enjoy 10+ hours driving through Pennsylvania, knock yourself out..
I flew...

The hotel is NOT downtown boston, so parking is free. You can actually see a farm across the highway from the now Crowne Plaza Danvers. Really though, this is not a place I'd recommend driving around. Parking in downtown boston will run you from $30 up to $100 dollars an evening. Bars in tough areas to park such as Fanieul Hall and Kenmore square tend to let out with the subway which closes at 12:30am.

If they run a shuttle, I would use that primarily. I would say forget a rental totally, but the hotel is kinda in the middle of nowhere, but it is on Route 1 so anything you want to eat or buy is within a 10 minute drive.

[Endzone]

Any word on Red Sox tickets?
They have 3 games during that weekend Vs. Detroit. We would probably need at the minimum 300 tickets. I know at least 30-40 alums from Eta Tau alone would go.

[Yukstin]

Convocation registration is now live!

http://www.sigmapi2.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=128:about-convocation&catid=49&Itemid=210

All info is available on the website. If you have any questions please contact Hays Whitlatch at hwhitlatch@sigmapi.org as he is our Convocation Coordinator.

Thanks guys!

IST

[CharlesHedrick]

Something I had trouble finding: when is the deadline to register?

[Yukstin]

Please register before June 20th.