Greetings:
It is now time to make your plans to attend the Florida State Elks Association Midyear Convention. Our convention is being held again this year at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront located at 333 1st St SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. The dates of the convention are Thursday, November 9th through Saturday, November 11th. The link to make your hotel reservations at the Hilton and the agenda for all meetings may be found in the quick links on the left. Attire for all activities is business dress. Gentlemen are urged to wear jackets, tie optional.
Special Event: Elks Night on the Ice with the Tampa Bay Lightning (Hockey)
Please note, the Elks Night on the Ice with the Lightning will be held on the Saturday night of the Midyear Convention, November 11, 2023. Please keep this in mind when making your hotel reservations as most do not stay over Saturday night. Tickets will go on sale on September 1, 2023. Please watch our website for the announcement. We are hoping to provide bus transportation from the Hilton for those wishing to attend the hockey game.
When making your hotel reservation online, when you click the link, it opens to the “Select a Room” page. The page default is for the dates Wednesday through Saturday which are our group rate dates. Before selecting your room, you will need to Edit your Stay Dates and guest count by clicking on them on the page. Once edited click update. The room rate is $125 per night plus 13% tax making the rate $141.25 per night. If you are a Hilton Honors member and wish to add your Guest Hilton Honors Number, click on the “Add Special Request” button at the bottom of the form where you input your payment information and before you click “Book Reservation”.
Please be informed that all reservations must be made directly with the hotel and that the cutoff date for reservations is Monday, October 9th or when our room block is sold out. If you prefer to make your reservations by phone, the Hilton Central Reservation number is (800) 445-8667. You will need to request the group rate for our block of rooms which are being held under FL Elks Mid-Year 2023.
Everyone attending, including spouses, guests, FLOE delegates, etc., is asked to preregister with the FSEA so we know who will be attending and so we can have a name badge waiting for you when you arrive at the Elks registration table. The link to online registration can be found in the quick links on the left. The Elks registration table at the Hilton will be staffed during the convention from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, and from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday.
A couple of notes about the Hilton:
- Check-in time is 4:00 p.m. Check-out is 11:00 a.m.
- Pets are not allowed. Service animals are always allowed.
- The Hilton is 100% valet parking at a discounted daily rate of $20.
- Additional self-parking is available. See map in the quick links at the left.
On Friday morning, the ladies from FLOE (Florida Ladies of Elks) will be sponsoring a Fall Wreath craft activity. There will be a $25 charge to participate. Registration and pre-payment are required. See the quick link at the left.
The midyear general session complete with reports from all our committees and programs will be held on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. This session and the Major Projects Presentation on Friday are the two events that are required to be attended by at least the Exalted Ruler and two other members from each Lodge.
The Major Projects meeting will be held on Friday at 1:30 p.m.
To summarize, here is your to-do list:
- Make your reservation at the Hilton by using the quick link or by phone.
- Preregister with FSEA for your name badge(s) using the quick link.
- Purchase your ticket(s) if you plan to attend the Saturday Ladies’ Activity.
Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our Meetings & Events Manager, Megan Menges by e-mail at megan@floridaelks.org
We look forward to seeing you at the November meetings!
Carl Seibert, COO/State Secretary