Social Program
We have designed the Social Program to expose you to American Culture (there is some, honest) - past and present!Welcome Reception, July 31, 6.30pm to 9.00pm
The Welcome Reception will be held at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and is included in your registration fee. You will be able wander throughout all the museum galleries, learning about Native American culture, past and present. There is a special children's gallery with interactive exhibits, and families are very welcome. Try your hand at drumming or listen to the Native American storyteller. Hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served. The venue is within easy walking distance of the hotel, but a minibus shuttle will be also available.
Excursions, August 2, afternoon and evening
Excursions require an extra booking fee and options include:
- The Indianapolis Zoo
- Sugar Creek, Turkey Run & Shades State Parks
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- Traders Point Creamery
- Conner Prairie Interactive History Park
A hosted visit to the Indianapolis Zoo to take in the sights and learn about the ongoing conservation and environmental enrichment efforts. Excursion cost is $45 and will include entrance to the zoo, lunch at the venue and some light refreshments, together with the chance to interact with zoo scientific staff. Delegates will also have free time to tour all the exhibits. The venue is relatively close to the hotel, but a minibus shuttle will be provided.
Take the opportunity to canoe and/or hike in two of Indiana's finest State Parks. The unique geology of Turkey Run State Park and Shades State Park has produced sandstone gorges and numerous hiking trails of various difficulties. Sugar Creek runs through the parks and, water levels permitting, we can canoe or float down the river and take in the natural beauty of the area. Keep your eyes open for snapping turtles, bald eagles and even swimming snakes! Excursion cost is $75 and will include transportation, box lunch and drinks, together with canoe rental. Guides and a naturalist will accompany us to give unique insight into the nature of the parks.
Since it opened in 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been at the epicenter of motorsports history and is a must-see venue for any motorsports fan. Famous for hosting Indy Car, Formula 1, NASCAR and MotoGP races, Indianapolis Motor Speedway is also home to The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, devoted to automobiles and auto racing. Excursion cost is $35 and will include snack, transportation, museum entrance, tour of the circuit and late lunch at the venue.
Traders Point Creamery is a family-owned, organic dairy farm located within Greater Indianapolis. The herd of Brown Swiss spend all of their time on pastures and 60 to 90 cows are milked each day throughout the year. Stroll the grounds and enjoy the beauty of our farm. Visit the calves and chickens, walk out to the pasture to see the herd, visit the milking parlor, and watch production while looking through the Creamery window. Excursion cost is $35 and includes transportation, box lunch at the venue, entrance to the farm and samples from the dairy shop.
Want a unique living history lesson? Then this is the excusion for you! At Conner Prairie, you'll step back in time and find five themed historic areas to explore: Lenape Camp, Conner Homestead, 1836 Prairietown, 1859 Balloon Voyage and opening June 2011, the 1863 Civil War Journey: Raid on Indiana. In each area "look, don't touch" becomes "look, touch, smell, taste and hear" as you live history first-hand and interact with the "residents" of each era. Excursion cost is $75 and transportation, entrance to the museum and a unique 19th century lunch experience. This is a great trip for families and is one of the premier school field-trip venues in the country.
Banquet, August 3, 7.00pm to 11.00pm
The Banquet will be held in the Regency Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and will include full banquet dinner and live entertainment. Ticket pricing is $75 for non-students and $60 for students.
Farewell Party, August 4, 5.30pm to 10.00pm
The Farewell Party will offer the true American experience of an evening at Victory Field, the home of the Indianapolis Indians, the Triple-A affiliate team of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball team, as they take on the Toledo Mud Hens! We have the whole of the Coors Light Corner to ourselves before and during the game, giving you a chance to interact friends and colleagues before saying farewell to Indianapolis. Casual dinner and drinks will be served and the party is included in the cost of your registration. An easy walk from the hotel, buses will be available to shuttle you to and from the venue if required.
