Last year at the close of our convention, a groundswell of voices echoed that our next convention HAD to be once again in sunny Caribbean. Puerto Rico was just sooo much fun and such a success that everyone wanted the party to never end! The UABA is excited to announce that for 2009 we have selected an even more festive location and at an even better value than Puerto Rico.
The UABA has arranged with the Moon Palace Casino, Golf and Spa Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for an all inclusive package of $145 per person per night based on double occupancy. Single occupancy is $250 per night. This all-inclusive package includes ALL food, beverages, alcohol (yes, alcohol), fitness room, non-motorized water sports, taxes and gratuities.
We learned from Puerto Rico that no matter how inexpensive the room is, the food, taxes, gratuities and beverages, especially alcohol, start adding up very quickly and what was once a great deal can suddenly become an expensive vacation. This all inclusive price that we have worked out with the resort will avoid any such surprises. Now, a party of two staying just for the convention, Thursday, October 29th to Sunday, November 1st, will only spend $870 compared to $1,500 that we averaged in Puerto Rico!
And the amenities at this huge resort are just amazing. The resort opened in January 2009 and is situated at the eastern tip of the island on a majestic sandy beach and is a city unto itself. The resort has 1,187 rooms, a large sandy beach, a casino, an 18 hole golf course, a professional fitness room, 9 swimming pools overlooking the ocean, 4 swimming pools overlooking the lagoon, and a swim up pool bar (of course).
There is also plenty to eat and drink. The resort boasts four swank restaurants featuring Italian, Mexican, Caribbean, and international cuisines. Additionally, there are four beach cafeterias (Brazilian, steakhouse, Caribbean and Thai), a brick oven pizzeria, a pool snack bar, and two cafes. I get tired just listing all of this. But the best part is that all of these amenities are included in our all-inclusive price! You can eat and drink as much or as little as you want and never have to pull out your wallet.
The UABA is also putting together the schedule of events. As of now, we have numerous group activities planned for the early bird arrivals, which includes tours, snorkeling and diving, horseback riding, and dinner receptions. We are planning an orientation breakfast on Sunday morning, October 25th, dinner on Tuesday, October 27th, a cocktail reception on Wednesday, October 28th, the “official” welcoming reception on Thursday, October 29th, and a casino poker tournament that Friday evening. The seminars will start on Friday and Saturday mornings at 9:00am and run until noon. The UABA will host a Saturday evening cocktail reception prior to our gala banquet with the induction of our new President and Officers.
The UABA is working very hard to put together a tremendous vacation package for its members. The resort has more thrills, frills, and spills than I can mention so check out the resort at www.palaceresorts.com/resorts/mppuntacana. The resort is extending our price to include 11 days from Sunday, October 24th to Monday, November 2nd. We have reserved a block of rooms guaranteed until September 15th. However, if you wait until the last minute to reserve a room, as several unfortunate members did in Puerto Rico last year, you may be out of luck at getting this price.
Also, as a result of our all-inclusive price, the UABA is able to charge only $150 per member and $50 per law student or guest to cover the seminars and incidental costs. You will remember that at last year’s convention in Puerto Rico the UABA had to charge $450 per member and $175 per guest so again, this is a dramatic change and benefit to our members.
Register and reserve your room today at
Dunwoodie Travel Bureau, 914-969-4200 or e-mail dunwoodie@vacation.com. Alesia Kozicky, the wife of member Roman Kozicky, is handling the reservations and will also be collecting the seminar registration fees. Visas are not required for citizens coming from the United States, Canada or Ukraine to enter the Dominican Republic. However, everyone must have a valid passport.
Our 2009 Dominican Republic convention is shaping up to be a convention to remember. Last year we had over 80 attendees, and this year, it looks like we will easily surpass that number. If anyone would like to speak at the seminars or has any suggestions, please do NOT hesitate to call me. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing everyone on the beach in Punta Cana! |
