2016 UELAC AGM and Conference
Accommodations | Getting There | Registration | Programme | Post-Conference
Come to Summerside ...
Loyalist Monument, Summerside, PEI
... for “Loyalists, Lighthouses & Lobsters” on P.E.I.
UELAC Annual AGM and Conference, July 7-10, 2016:
Summerside, Prince Edward Island
The three Atlantic Branches of UELAC will be welcoming UELAC members and guests from everywhere to the 2016 Dominion Convention and AGM at the historic Loyalist Country Inn, one of the Lakeview Hotels and Resorts, in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada. This island's small population, independent since 1769, was increased by about 500 LOYALISTS who were part of the evacuation of New York in 1783. Some came directly, and others via Port Roseway (Shelburne) and elsewhere. The loyalists who did settle on Ile Saint-Jean (present-day Prince Edward Island) had a difficult time getting clear title to the land they were granted by the British.
The monument in the picture, placed by the Abegweit Branch in 1987, stands proud and strong, commemorating our Loyalist ancestors. It is situated on the perimeter of the spacious grounds of the Loyalist Country Inn, where the convention will take place.
A-beg-weit is the Mi'kmaq/Micmac word for “cradled in the waves”
Conference Hotel
Loyalist Country Inn, Summerside, PEI
The Conference will be held within the beautiful and historic Loyalist Country Inn:
www.lakeviewhotels.com/hotels/summerside/
Address:
195 Heather Moyse Drive
Summerside,
Prince Edward Island
C1N 5R1
Phone: 902-436-3333
Toll free: 877-355-3500
Fax: 902-436-4304
The conference organisers have booked the entire hotel for the duration of the conference, and the hotel has been accepting reservations for several months. There is a total of 80 rooms, each at the conference price of $139.00 per night.
However, all the rooms have now been booked by conference attendees and the hotel management has set up a waiting list. If you wish to add your name to the waiting list you MUST call direct: phone: 902-436-3333; toll free: 877-355-3500; fax: 902-436-4304. The phone numbers are also on their web page. Tell them you are booking for the United Empire Loyalist Conference.
The Prince William Room restaurant and lounge within the hotel is open daily, the hotel is wheelchair accessible, and there is a pool. The many amenities are listed on their website. And other eating places are close by.
Quality Inn & Suites, Summerside, PEI
Alternate Accommodations
Extra rooms have been reserved for conference attendees at the Quality Inn and Suites Garden of the Gulf, just 3 minutes by car from the Loyalist Country Inn and the Conference.
Address:
618 Water St. E.
Summerside,
Prince Edward Island
C1N 2V5
Phone: (902) 436-2295
Fax: (902) 432-2911
The special conference rate is $147/$157 including breakfast from July 7 to July 11, 2016 and you may book online by quoting "United Empire Loyalists' Association."
The Quality Inn & Suite Garden of the Gulf is centrally located in the picturesque city of Summerside, PEI, located next door to the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada and Brothers 2 Restaurant and Dinner Theatre. This Summerside hotel is just minutes from Harbourfront Theatre, Credit Union Place, Spinnakers Landing, Green Shore Beach and Boardwalk.
Confederation Bridge
Driving
Prince Edward Island is surrounded by water. (Surprise!) If you plan to drive to Summerside, you will either board a ferry to cross the Northumberland Strait or experience the fabulous views from the Confederation Bridge – the longest bridge over ice-covered water in the world. The bridge, 13 kilometres long, connects PEI and New Brunswick, and the ferry connects PEI and Nova Scotia. A toll is payable only when leaving the Island, either by bridge or ferry – the bridge toll for a car is $46.00 while the ferry toll is $70.00.
Airlines
Air Canada is the official carrier for the Conference. A 10% group discount has been arranged – except on Tango fares – Promo Code AGJ6A991, valid June 30 - July 17, 2016, through online booking. There are numerous flights into Charlottetown.
Westjet is also offering a 10% discount on their flights to and from Charlottetown between July 6 and July 17, 2016. Use Promo Code YYG02 and Coupon Code KRENYGW at Westjet's online booking site.
MV Confederation
Ground Transportation
It is about 55 minutes driving time from Charlottetown airport to the Loyalist Country Inn in Summerside. There is no public shuttle service at the airport, but taxi and limousine services are available for around $105 and you can pre-book. Coach transportation will be available for certain arrival times on Wednesday and Thursday for those attending the Conference. The "early-bird" price for the coach transfer will be $40 per person. You must book well in advance to ensure a place on the coach.
The Registration Form is available in PDF format.
Download the form, complete it and then follow the other directions on the form.
As with previous conferences, there will be a significant discount for registering early. The price for the full package also represents a great saving over the pick-and-choose price. Best value is achieved by registering for the full package before the early-bird deadline of June 7.
The Conference Check-in Desk will be open on Wednesday evening for early arrivals and on Thursday beginning at 8:00 AM in the Parlour, before the Membership meeting.
Each event at the Conference has a finite capacity and late registrants may be disappointed. A surge of late registrations will deny the organisers the opportunity to adjust plans to accommodate everybody. The message is obvious, register now and guarantee your access to all events.
Please note: Period dress is encouraged at the evening reception and dinners. For the gala dinner, business attire is appropriate. The Lobster Buffet is intended to be a down-home kitchen party so casual clothing might be best.
There is a very pleasant hospitality suite (room #326) for delegates to visit, regroup, or have informal meetings. The schedule for the suite, subject to change, is as follows:
- Wednesday: 7:00 - 10:00 pm
- Thursday: 4:30 - 6:30 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 - 10:30 pm
- Friday: 3:00 - 6:00 pm
- Friday: 9:30 - 10:30 pm
- Saturday: 4:30 - 6:30 pm
- Saturday: 9:30 - 10:30 pm
Thursday
The Membership Meeting, in the Bray room, will start punctually at 10:00 AM on Thursday and finish at noon.
A buffet lunch will be available to registrants during the interval between the Membership Meeting and the Genealogists Meeting.
The Genealogists Meeting, also in the Bray room, will begin Thursday afternoon at 1:00 PM and end at 4:00 PM. This important meeting will be both educational and informational. Plans for the genealogist workshop include an hour-long session entitled “Using Indirect Evidence to Build a Genealogical Proof Argument.” The second hour will introduce the new Branch Genealogists' Handbook along with a time for questions and answers.
Following the Thursday meetings and perhaps some rest time, there will be a traditional reception from 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM, featuring finger foods and a cash bar. Weather permitting, the reception may be held outside on the lawn near the Loyalist Monument.
Friday
The day will begin with registration in the parlour off the main lobby. This room will also host the display tables - silent auction, a basket from each of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Abegweit Branches for ticket sales, an authors' corner, Dominion promotional items, etc.
An extensive bus tour is planned which will take us to visit the nearby Bedeque Museum which includes a Loyalist section that was designed by Abegweit Branch. Following this, we will visit the Anne of Green Gables House and grounds and then proceed to Brackley Beach in Prince Edward Island National Park. We'll be back at the Loyalist Country Inn in time for a buffet lunch at 1:00 PM.
Friday evening a buffet-style lobster dinner is planned in the main banquet dining room, the Empire Room. (Food options will be available for anyone who can't eat seafood.) There will be "down home" style entertainment, and greetings from local and UELAC officials.
Saturday
The Association's Annual General Meeting will start at 9:00 AM in expectation of adjournment well before noon. The AGM will then be followed by a meeting of the new Dominion Council.
Registrants will once again be offered a buffet-style luncheon at noon.
During the afternoon, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, we will enjoy three seminars – one each about the Loyalist genealogy of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Our guest speakers, each specialising in the genealogy of their home province, will then be available for consultations with conference attendees.
Our Gala Dinner will have all the usual pomp and circumstance. The special guest speaker will be the renowned genealogist, author and educator, Dr. Terry Punch CM, FRSAI, FIGRS, from Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Sunday
Conference attendees are invited to attend the traditional conference Church Parade at 10:30 PM. Period dress is encouraged. The service will be held at St. Peter's Anglican Cathedral in Charlottetown. Coach transportation will be available to those who have selected this option. The coach will stop first at Charlottetown Airport to provide people an opportunity to check in for their Sunday afternoon flights and to check their baggage. Following the service, a light lunch will be catered by the church people. Then we're back on the coach for the quick transfer to the Airport.
Updates
Check back often for updates as they become available ...
If you have any questions about strategic trip planning that may need a local answer, the Abegweit President and the Planning Committee will be available to help.
For more information, contact:
Abegweit Branch President
Peter Van Iderstine, UE
902-892-4403
pvaniderstine@bellaliant.net
The conference will come to an end, but your visit to PEI and the Maritimes doesn't need to. What a great opportunity to spend a few extra days of vacation!
Rent a car and explore some of the beautiful summer countryside, lighthouses and beaches on your own, visit the archives in the three Maritime Provinces or any of the numerous museums throughout the region. This is a terrific time to work on your Maritime Loyalist genealogy before you head home.
The following web sites are really helpful places to start your planning for your Maritimes vacation:
You may want to bring your sandals, sunscreen and GPS.