WORLD GALLOWAY CONFERENCE 2012

Registration for the World Galloway Conference 2012

Welcome to Canada ~ the second largest country in the world

Ontario is our province and if you are thinking of driving west after the conference from Guelph you have a 2000 km drive before you leave this province.

If you want to go east it is about 6 hours to Montreal near our eastern border.

Our hope is to include Galloways with some local culture.

Meeting at Holiday Inn Guelph, Ontario
You will be expected to make your own reservations for your rooms and let them know that you are with the Galloway Conference. Reservations can be made starting about a year ahead. Hopefully the majority of reservations will be completed by July 1, 2012 to give us a chance to finalize numbers for the events.

Tentative Schedule

Tuesday, October 2
Evening Meet and Greet

Wednesday, October 3
Meeting Registration - 9-10 am
Agenda to be finalized two months before the meeting
Any requests to the Agenda to be provided by participating delegations to secretary and presented by secretary 3 months prior to meeting
Evening Banquet - 7 pm Speaker and/or entertainment

Thursday, October 4
Farm Tours
Geordawn - the Van Kampens, near Laurel - blacks and a belt
Hans Osthaus - Markdale - about 80 cows; whites
Gowrie and Tri R - the Robertsons, Phelpston - about 120 cows; blacks and reds
Stop for supper.
There is an option for anyone that doesn't want to do the cow tour to go to the Stratford Festival.
This is Shakespearean and other stage shows are presented as well at various theatres. Second largest of its type in the world. Colleen has offered to guide this segment

Friday, October 5
Pancake Breakfast at Glenfiddich - near Freelton - with real Ontario Maple Syrup and blueberries and whatever else.
Farm Tours
Visit Jack McIntyre - Grimsby - Belties
Visit Andy and Lisa Sproston - near Grimsby - Organic farm raised meat for his own store
Lunch provided by Lisa and girls
Tour Niagara Falls and down the parkway following the gorge to Niagara On The Lake.
Some options - ride the Maid of the Mist - time could be a problem - go under the falls - Madame Tussauds - Casino Niagara - (all attendees cost)
This is Canada's largest wine region - famous for ice wines among other varieties.
Supper at East Dell winery - (or other) Grimsby - overlooking the 20 valley and Lake Ontario.

Saturday, October 6
St Jacobs Farmers Market - a Mennonite and German taste experience - (get breakfast here)
Farm Tours
Cranberry Hill - Brad and Colleen Card - Tavistock - Silver Duns and Belties
Anna Maes for traditional meal at lunch time
Foundation Sires - a semen collection station near Listowel
Suncrest Farm - Clay, Kathy, Marie, Greg and girls at Molesworth
Octoberfest - site to be chosen - dinner and dancing - Kitchener
- second largest Octoberfest in the World

Sunday, October 7
Erin Fall Fair
One of Ontario's best Agricultural shows
Galloways and 6 or 7 different breeds shown in separate classes with 200 plus head of cattle
Snacks provided by fair board ladies for tour group
Return to Guelph and end of week

NOTES

• We are expecting the per person cost for the meeting and tour to be about $350 based on 40-50 on the bus.

• Delegates will be responsible for their breakfast (except for pancake day) and their supper on the last day and liquor except at the winery.

• The tours will be leaving between 7:30 and 9:00 each morning so the days will be quite full.

• The Holiday Inn in Guelph is situated adjacent to a large shopping mall (sorry no Wal-mart) and many restaurants within 500 metres.

• It also has amenities such as a slide and swimming pool.

• Remember, the dates and hotel are solid but the tour may change slightly.

• For the Beltie breeders there are 2 herds just east of Montreal if you want to take a side trip before or after the Conference (about 7-8 hour drive).

GETTING HERE

There are different airports to arrive at:

• Toronto - YYZ - the main one - less transfer hassle and easiest to get to. It is 40 minutes west from Toronto YYZ to Guelph.

• In Canada, Toronto, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Toronto Island are options.

• From the USA, Buffalo, NY is an option. Buffalo is about 2 hours drive to Guelph.

• From Europe to Toronto-YYZ- most major airlines including Air Canada (part of Star Alliance for any one collecting points).
  Charter airlines: Air Transat flies from Frankfurt and Britain
  Canadian Affair from Britain only.

• From Down Under it is easiest to fly to YYZ

From Toronto airport there are all major car rental companies and also Red Car Service for $68 per person and $25 for the second person. 6 or more people would be $32 each one way.
There is also limo service from $80-100.
The Canadian $ at present is just above par with the US$.
All purchases in Ontario are subject to 13% HST

WEATHER

• It is the start of autumn, the leaves are turning and it could be warm or cool, sunny or damp, windy or calm.

• Warmer clothes and a rain jacket with wellies could be a good idea.

Hope to see all in 2012.

Best regards,
John, Lee, Brad and Colleen
Committee of the WGC 2012

Please note that as Canadians we don't mind being second in everything
~ except for ice hockey and curling ~