AVA 2005 Convention
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Questions:
Q.
Top		 Our family is looking forward to attending the 2005 AVA convention. Will there be a walk in Trenton, NJ? We would hate to come clear across the country to NJ and not be able to do a capital city walk there. Let me know if such a walk is in the plans.
A. A walk is scheduled for Trenton on the Saturday following the convention. The start location will be Waterfront Park, Trenton Thunder (baseball team), One Thunder Rd, Trenton, NJ 08611.
Q.
Top		 Went to school in Princeton N. J. Will any of the walks be there?
A. None of the convention walks will be in Princeton, however there is a YRE in Princeton. Information on it is available at the AVA website and in the Starting Point.
Q.
Top		 Is there a 'special' at the Hilton for AVA members?
A. The AVA Convention 2005 committee arranged a special rate with the Hilton Hotel in Cherry Hill. As with most hotels, they will not take reservations more than a year in advance. The convention room rate will be $105.00 plus tax.
The Hilton has 408 rooms and our goal is to fill them all with AVA walkers. A large block of rooms is reserved until May 23, 2005, under the group identifier "American Volkssport Association." You are advised to reserve your room early! Reservations can be made by phone at 1-800-HILTONS (1-800-445-8667) or on-line through our Convention 2005 web site at www.2005avaconvention.org. The Hilton's 2005 AVA Convention room rate is $105.00 for single, double, triple or quad occupancy. This special rate is valid for reservations beginning Saturday, June 18 through Sunday, June 26, 2005. If you would like to arrive earlier than June 18 or stay past June 26, please call the hotel directly at 1-856-665-6666 and talk to the Sales Department for an extended group rate.
Q.
Top		 Can you tell me the proposed Start Times for the planned walking events?
A. The start/finish times for the Appetizers and Desserts (club-sponsored) walks have not yet been set, but will generally be early morning or afternoon walks. The three Entrees (committee-sponsored) walks will start between 4 and 6 pm on Wed/Jun 22 (Atlantic City) and between 6 and 8 am on Thurs/Jun 23 (Camden/Philadelphia) and Fri/June 24 (Haddonfield).
Q.
Top		 Can you also tell me the closest Amtrac and Greyhound stations to the Convention?
A. There is a Patco train station just down the street from the Hiton that runs from the 30th Street Station in Philly. That would be the best way for someone coming into the city using the train. They could then pickup a taxi from there. They could also get a taxi from the city to the hotel, it is costly but some people prefer that.
Q.
Top		 What is the cost for attending the entire convention/socials? Will the total cost include all the walks? What about traveling from walk to walk?
A.

(Updated answer) The Convention Brochure is now available on-line. It will provide the answer to the cost portion of the question.

There will be separate registration for the Appetizers and Desserts (club-sponsored events before and after the main convention days). We need a few more details on these events but expect to include a registration form for them in the same mailing as for the Entrees.

You will need a car for traveling between at least the Appetizer and Dessert events. There will be no bus transportation from the convention hotel for them. For one thing their varied locations and distances from Cherry Hill make it uneconomical both in terms of time and monies to operate buses from Cherry Hill.

However, we are working to secure affordable bus transportation on a fee per rider basis from the hotel for the 3 Entree events as well as to the Thursday social event. Transportation companies are quoting exorbitant fees now, partly blamed on the oil crisis.

The following are approximate driving distances (from Mapquest)

  • Appetizers: (Pre-convention, club-sponsored events)
    • Saturday, June 18
      • Cherry Hill, NJ to Sheperdstown, WV         193 miles
      • Sheperdstown to Leesburg, VA                 35 miles
      • Cherry Hill to  Leesburg                    187 miles
    • Sunday, June 19
      • Cherry Hill to Leakin Park, Baltimore, MD   122 miles
      • Leakin Park to Washington, DC                48 miles
      • Cherry Hill to Washington, DC               150 miles
    • Tuesday, June 21
      • Cherry Hill to Washington Crossing, PA       32 miles

  • Entrees: (Committee-sponsored activities)
    • Wednesday, June 22
      • Cherry Hill to Atlantic City, NJ             61 miles
    • Thursday, June 23
      • Cherry Hill to Camden, NJ                     6 miles
      • Cherry Hill to Auletto's social              11 miles
    • Friday, June 24
      • Cherry Hill to Haddonfield, NJ                3 miles

  • Desserts: (Post-convention, club-sponsored events)
    • Saturday, June 25
      • Cherry Hill to Trenton, NJ                   32 miles
    • Sunday, June 26
      • Cherry Hill to Wilmington, DE                38 miles

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