Feedback

Hi everyone,

We noticed that we had a great response initially to Kazapalooza, but now that we have started discussing registration we have noticed a very slow response.

So we were hoping you could tell us why. Is it that the event is still so far away that you don't want to commit just yet?

Is it the price? Hotel? Registration fee? Or any other reason you may have.

We are looking at other options for hotels. Chicago is an expensive city, so $199 is a great deal to be close to everything, however we are looking at possibly finding a hotel more in the suburbs where there might not be as much to do, but we can still be together for a cheaper rate.

We look forward to your feedback.

Thanks.

Registration is here.

On the side bar you will see a PayPal link. This is for the registration for Kazapalooza. I know it seems eearly to register but that is how we can determine what kind of deal we can get on the Aqarium and our dinner on Saturday night. We need a head count. We are really trying to put together an awesome weekend but need more definate numbers and a definate budget.

The fee is $65 per family and includes pizza dinner on Friday night, group rental space, entertainment for Saturday night's dinner and special little surprises throughout the weekend. We will keep an accounting and all extra money will go to a charity that helps Kazakh orphans which will be announced at dinner Saturday night. We are doing our best to keep the weekend affordable and think $65 per family is very reasonable. If you are coming, you must register. The fee is not refundable unless you are in country at the time. If you are going to miss Friday night, but will be there the rest of the time, you must still pay the fee. I am not trying to be difficult but since the four of us are planning this weekend in our "spare" time it is much easier to make it as simple as possible for accounting and planning.

Once you have registered, please leave a comment stating that so I can make sure the PayPal account has received the payment. Also please state how many people will be coming. Additionally, once people register, if their blogs are public, I will post the address on the sidebar so we can all "meet" eachother before the big weekend.

We are so excited that so many families want to come. We will have information on how to book your hotel room listed here shortly. After that, you all can relax and the four of us will get to planning.

THE DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS NOVEMBER 1ST.

Questions

I thought I would post questions as they come up so everyone can learn more! :)

Question: How did you all get together in the first place - same agencies?

No, between the four of us we used three different agencies! I guess I (Muriel) am the common link.
Michelle and I used to be with the same agency and we both live in Illinois so we talked on the phone a few times and have followed eachother's blogs for well over a year but have never met...I can't wait until we do!

Kristan and I used the same agency and we were in Karaganda adopting our little girls from the same baby house at the same time. Our girls are three months apart. We became great friends spending 8 weeks together in Kaz. Kristan is from Florida.

Gretchen used a different agency and we met in Almaty when she was just starting her journey and we were heading home. We were so lucky to meet them and enjoyed our dinners! Gretchen is from Tennessee.

Don't forget to read the previous post and let us know if you are coming!

We have a winner!

Although there is a little more time to vote, it appears that Kazapalooza will be held on June13th-June15th. Michelle, Kristan, Gretchen and I are SOOOO excited that so many families are interested. We have been busy coming up with lots of great ideas.

I know this seems like a long time away but I am really glad I have started the hotel search as many places are already booked! I have been on the phone for several hours with Hilton, Sheraton, Marriot and Omni. I looked for hotels that had the following things:
-walking distance to attractions
-indoor swimming pool
-ability to accomodate us for a dinner on Saturday night
-family friendly

Well after calling probably about 12 hotels that met the above mentioned, we have a winner!




Hilton Chicago
http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/CHICHHH-Hilton-Chicago-Illinois/index.do;jsessionid=B24E5C2BB0A28D30CC9EC246A418C006.etc31?brand_id=HI&brand_directory=/en/hi/&xch=73873226,0FYKI33OGLVM0CSGBJC2VCQ

The Hilton Chicago is a 4 star hotel and the group rate for this hotel is $199 per night for a single (1 king) or double (2 double beds). This hotel is very close to the park and the Aqarium. I have stayed in this hotel myself twice and it is lovely. It looks fancy and it is very nice but when I was there with my husband for a "romantic" getaway it was filled with kids and the other time I was there they were hosting an "American Girl" convention.

I am so glad to be able to get this rate as the next best rate I could find was the Hampton Inn(3 stars) which was $239 and not nearly as nice. Even the Days Inn (2 stars) was $259!

We would love for as many people as possible to stay at the hotel because it will add to the experience but understand if some families want to make other arrangements. Everything will have a seperate registration so families can pick and choose what they would like to attend.

We know we will have a registration fee (amount b/n $60-$75 per family) This will cover pizza dinner on Friday night, group room rentals, entertainment at our Saturday night dinner and other little surprises. Any money that is left over will be donated to a charity that helps Kazakh orphans.

-The dinner on Saturday night will be a seperate registration and fee
-The Shedd Aqarium will be a separate registration and fee
-The T-shirts will be a seperate fee

The good news is we all have plenty of time to try and set aside the funds for this amazing weekend.

We are trying to make this weekend as fun and as reasonable as possible. We can't wait to meet you all!

IMPORTANT
Now that we know the date and the prices (for the most part) please leave a comment if you are planning on coming. I have to give the hotel a number of rooms to block and I have to guarantee 90% of the rooms. They are holding the rate until the end of the month so please let me know if you are planning on coming so I can get a head count or as close to it as possible. I know things may change a little but I need a rough idea. We will have an official registration for the rooms at a later date. Please leave in the comments how many rooms you will need.

Thanks!

Families in waiting...

To add to Kristan's post today about having all siblings come of all ages, families in waiting are invited to come as well! I've had two families in waiting e-mail and express interest. They aren't sure if their child will be home by then, but what a great way to meet so many families in one place that have shared the journey you soon will be making.

Please join us!

Kids all ages

Hi there,

This is Kristan. I know Muriel wrote a post letting everyone know all children are invited, but I just wanted to reiterate that as I have my Kaz cutie who is almost 1 now and my two boys who will be 6 and 9 at the time of Kazapalooza who will also be joining us. They would be very disappointed if there were no children their ages to play with!

I know there are a lot of older children adoptions in Kaz, so we are excited about having children of all ages from Kaz and their siblings running around and hopefully making lifelong friendships !

Wooooo Hooooooo!!!!! Yeah Baby!!!!!

We have over 40 families interested in coming. We are going to be taking over Chi-town!

The WHOLE family.

First off, I am so excited by all of the families who would like to come. We have interest from Florida all the way to Canada!

Secondly, the entire family is invited. Mom, Dad, and all the kids! It will be fun for the non-adopted kids to get together and hang out too.

Welcome!

Hi guys, I am sooo excited you all are interested in coming. I know if we have 20 or 200 people it is going to be a blast.

This will be the blog site and I would like to post your blogs here so people can see who is going if that is ok. If you could send me an e-mail at murielcollison@hotmail.com with your e-mail address that would be great.


First things first, we need to pick the weekend. I was thinking any of the following. Let me know. I do not want to really get into a summer weekend as the prices go sky high for the flight and hotel. Cast your vote on the side!


Gretchen, Michelle and Kristan have offered to help me so the three of us will do our best to make sure this is an AWESOME weekend like I know it will be!

Here are some initial thoughts I have.

-I want to get a hotel that will offer a group rate and that is walking distance to everything and of course it has to have an indoor pool. I would love for everyone to stay there if they can as it makes the event so much more fun.

-I would love to go to the Shedd Aquarium and or Navy Pier.

-I definately would love a group photo.

ohhh I have so many ideas.

As far as cost, obviously getting yourself there and the hotel and we may have a nominal registration fee (Guatoberfest was $40 per family) for meeting room rental ect.

Also, Guatoberfest has tee-shirts and I would love to have one for our event too.

I just picked Kazapalooza cause I thought it was cute but it does not have to be called that.

Anyway, what do you all think?

Please send me your blog address at my e-mail too so I can have it on the site so we can all "meet" eachother before the big weekend.