ZGWS 2016 Annual Convention (34th)

Islamorada, Florida Keys, Florida
June 20 – 22nd, 2016
Pre-convention visit to Zane Grey’s Everglades City.
After convention trip to Key West & Dry Tortugas Island.

We hope you’re planning to join us for a very special 2016 ZGWS Convention in Southwest Florida. You’ll find more details in the next two issues of the Zane Grey Review, in the email or paper copy that we sent to all members and here on the Society website. However, we wanted to make sure you have this preliminary information so you can make your lodging reservations as early as possible.

This is especially critical for the Guy Harvey Resort in Islamorada—site of our main convention. Though the resort has set aside a block of rooms for us, they have the right to withdraw rooms from our block if we don’t reserve early (probably sometime in January).

PRE-CONVENTION: EVERGLADES CITY

Saturday–Sunday, June 18-19

See the Florida Everglades as Zane Grey saw it on his Everglades expedition in 1924.

LODGING: Ivey House B&B, 107 Camelia St, Everglades, FL 34139
Phone: 239-695-3299
Approx. cost $90/night plus taxes
No ZGWS block at present; inn rooms and cottage options, all on first floor
Nice breakfast and seating areas and many other amenities

Website: http://iveyhouse.com

Other lodging options nearby, including:
Everglades City Motel, 309 Collier Ave, Everglades, FL 34139
Phone: 239-695-4224
Website: www.evergladescitymotel.com

CONVENTION: ISLAMORADA

Monday–Wednesday, June 20-22

Islamorada, the island just south of Key Largo, is known as the “Saltwater Fishing Capital of the World.” The 2016 ZGWS convention will be held in the beautiful Guy Harvey Islander Resort on the Atlantic. ZGWS activities in Islamorada will take place in the 300-seat Convention Center or at the Keys History and Discovery Center—both on the resort premises.

LODGING: Guy Harvey Islander Resort, 82100 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
Toll free: 800-753-6002 (Be sure to identify yourself as part of the Zane Grey group)

Website: http://guyharveyoutpostislamorada.com

Cost at ZGWS group rate $169/night plus taxes; up to $209 (depending on room and view)
Double queen and king rooms available; also a few ocean-view rooms with two beds
Space is limited and the resort may reclaim rooms from our block if reservations are slow
Discounted rate available for early arrivals (from June 19) and late departures (to June 24).
Optional Thursday group activities TBA.

June is a peak time in Islamorada and ALL rooms on the island will go quickly.

We recommend lodging at the convention site, if you can do so but wherever you stay—

BE SURE TO REGISTER EARLY!

Alternative lodging: Breezy Palms and many other options nearby at varying price levels

AFTER CONVENTION: KEY WEST/DRY TORTUGAS

Thursday–Saturday, June 23-25

The Florida Keys—the “American Caribbean”—span 110 miles connected by bridges and causeways. Key West is called the “Last Resort,” because it is the southernmost point in the continental U.S.

LODGING: Key West—REGISTER EARLY!

No blocks available; all rooms reserved on first come/first served basis
Many lodging options available but we recommend:

Best Western Hibiscus, 1313 Simonton St, Key West, FL 33040
Phone: 305-294-3763

Approx. cost: Thurs., June 23—$179/night plus taxes; Fri., June 24—$201/night plus taxes
61 rooms; older hotel but comfortable and clean, with good reviews; includes breakfast
3 minutes from beach, 10-minute walk to Hemingway House

Website: http://bestwesternflorida.com/hotels/best-western-hibiscus-motel

Dry Tortugas National Park is only accessible by boat or seaplane. Island features you’ll enjoy include historic Ft. Jefferson, undisturbed coral reefs teeming with sea life, fishing, kayaking and more.

Yankee Freedom III, the Dry Tortugas Ferry: https://www.drytortugas.com/

TRIP RESERVATIONS: Dry Tortugas

Public transportation (ferry or seaplane) departs from Key West
Island ferry, Yankee Freedom III, $175 per person, refundable until day before
Check-in 7:00 a.m.; return 5:15 p.m.; trip 2 hrs, 15 min. each way
Includes breakfast, lunch, fortress tour and snorkeling gear

For trip planning, see: www.nps.gov/drto/planyourvisit/directions.htm

For National Park Service info and Dry Tortugas Island tour, contact:
Toll free phone: 800-634-0939 Local phone: 305-294-7009
Website: www.drytortugas.com

Look for more details soon.

For a listing of past conventions, click here.

The tentative agenda is as follows:

We’re looking forward to seeing you in 2016! If you have questions about anything, please contact.

Henry Nardi
zg.goldenwest@gmail.com
570-228-9290
or
Rosanne Vrugtman
xun@sbcglobal.net (preferred)
239-913-9242