Guest Author - Deborah Crawford

This time of year, many families hold a reunion. These reunions are as varied as the families getting together, but the main purpose is to connect or reconnect with one’s relatives. Revisiting memories and making new ones, sharing laughs and good food and enjoying each other’s company can strengthen these relationships and uplift the spirit of all involved. You get an opportunity to see the circle of life in action.

And, it’s a lot of work! I spent many years in the hotel business helping people plan and book their reunions. Some were simple affairs and some were all-out extravaganzas. Most had a few bumps along the way, as you might expect when dealing with family, but those bumps can be minimized if not bypassed altogether if you know in advance what will be required.

Choosing a Location: Many times, family reunion attendance is determined by the distance most members have to travel, so in the pre-planning phase, determine what the best location for your family might be. Some families like to return to the “old home place”; some like to combine the reunion with a vacation visit to an exciting locale. If you are the planner, choose three or four alternate locations, then let your family choose one by majority rule. You can research destinations online. Most cities and many counties have some form of a “visitor’s bureau” which can provide you with information on their attractions, hotels, restaurants and activities. Many will send you a free information kit. To find them online, search using “visitor’s bureau + the city you are researching”.

Planning activities: Reunion activities can be hard to plan because you probably have attendees who range in age from infancy to elderly. You cannot expect the children to sit quietly all day while the adults visit, nor can you expect all the older people to spend long days at amusement parks. The key here is to provide options so that everyone can choose some activities, and to provide a couple of activities that will bring the whole family together. For example, a picnic in a park is an activity everyone can enjoy provided the weather is accommodating. If you are the planner, write down the ages of your family members so you can get a good idea of what kind of activities would be appropriate.

Booking a Hotel: A hotel can be a great headquarters for a family reunion. You want to choose one that has rates in your price range, plenty of rooms with more than one bed, and space for the family to get together. A location close to attractions you plan to visit helps. When calling the hotel, ask the sales manager if they host family reunions—do they have experience? The hotel staff will help you contract the rooms, provide information for making reservations, and if you are having a banquet or other function, they can help you with planning the event and choosing the menus. They can also provide information about things to do. Many hotels have family reunion packages available, too.

For more information, check out these websites:

http://www.family-reunion.com

http://www.familyreunion.com

http://reunionindex.com/

In the next article, we will explore communicating during the planning process so you can avoid mishaps and confusion.