---

We’re Getting Warmed Up for the VWCA Convention
51st annual event to be held in Daytona Beach, Fla.

By Richard Van Treuren

This year’s convention headquarters will be right on the beautiful beach at Daytona. This former Radisson property is located just steps from a fabulous eating and shopping complex with high-tech movie theaters as part of the complex. There is also a water park for the kiddies and if we are lucky, a summer concert in the famous beachfront bandshell!

Room rates will be a reasonable $99 per night (plus tax and parking fee of $5 per night). Safes in each room are available for a small charge. We will have a hospitality room set up downstairs in the Osprey Room. The hotel has reserved 25 rooms for us at that rate, so don’t delay. (Do mention that you are part of the VW Club for the $99 rate.)

If you want an oceanfront kitchenette, the price is $114 plus tax. It is one of the nicest hotels on the beach and it was not damaged by the hurricanes of 2004. (Most of the others were not only damaged but some won’t be rebuilt; others will be turned into condos.)

The Plaza Ocean Club has a fabulous pool area and a nice wide beach front. There are inside corridors, handicapped facilities and elevators — just what you would expect from a nice hotel for more money. It is one of the few properties that have meeting rooms, restaurant and bar. (And one of the few properties that have not have already been taken through eminent domain to promote condominium high-rises.)

The banquet will offer a choice of Tuscany chicken or prime rib. Anyone who is not registered for the convention but is part of the club may join us for the banquet only for $43 per person. After the business meeting on Friday, we are planning a cookout on the pool deck.

This meal is also available to those who are not registered for the convention but are part of our VW group. The cost for this only will be $24 per person. Both meals are part of the convention package for those registered. Despite big increases in many event costs, we are holding the line on the convention registration to $69 per person.

Florida is a non-smoking state, so wherever you go in the common rooms of public buildings, they will be smoke-free. By request, the hotel has guest rooms that allow smoking. Handicapped equipped rooms are available on a limited basis so if you require that accommodation, please book early! Specify your request to the reservation staff.

Hotel reservations should be made individually and guaranteed with a credit card or check. The toll-free reservation number is (800) 874-7420. Please make your reservations before June 1 as they will not guarantee the room availability or rate after that time.

For the first time, we expect to be able to offer a credit card option for the convention, through PayPal. More info on that later by visiting our Web site, www.centralfloridavwclub.org.

And look for more details in the coming issues of the Autoist.
See you in Florida!