- HOME PAGE |
- HOTEL INFORMATION |
- RESERVATIONS |
- MEETING SPACE |
- SPECIAL EVENTS |
- ST JOHN'S INFORMATION |
- PHOTO TOUR
McCarthy's Party
Tel: +1 (709) 781-2244
Fax: +1 (709) 781-2233
Toll Free: 1 (888) 660-6060
E-mail: nfldinfo@mccarthysparty.com
Sample Conference Proposal
MCCARTHY'S PARTY LTD.
Destination Management Company
Section 1 Conference Registration & Housing Bureau
Section 2 Food & Beverage
Section 3 Entertainment & Décor
Section 4 Hotel Shuttles
Section 5 Companion Program
Section 6 Children's Program
Section 1 - Conference Registration & Housing Bureau
In scheduling a major convention, associations enter into contractual agreements with various hotels in relation to room blocks. Once the blocks are assigned it then becomes a paper trail back and forth between the organizer and the hotel trying to determine the occupancy numbers for each hotel. McCarthy's Party offers a housing bureau system, which can eliminate these responsibilities for the conference organizer. We have dedicated staff that work closely with hotel reservations to ensure that all bookings are taken swiftly and accurately. Along with dedicated staff we also offer the technology to allow delegates to register for the conference (hotel, workshops, evening events, etc) online. This allows us to process all reservations and to accurately track convention-related occupancy needed for organizer feedback.
This comes at no charge to the conference organizer. We would put a commissionable charge (i.e. $10.00 per room night) on top of the stated convention room rates. We would then take over the registration for the conference and communicate with the conference organizer any and all information taken in. All our online registration is conference customizable, so logos and images can be placed to your liking. We have the ability to offer registration in English and French, and any conference inquiries in French will be forwarded to our French-speaking staff member. Please take a look at the following link as an example of a conference registration and housing bureau that we are currently organizing,
Section 2 - Food & Beverage
As with any conference, Food and Beverage is of the utmost importance. We have found that it is best to have staff at each of the hotels where food and beverage is being served. McCarthy's Party would book all the necessary food & beverage requirements for plenary sessions and workshops with McCarthy's staff onsite to ensure that the food is on time for each meeting. McCarthy's Party would charge a management fee of 15% of the total food & beverage price.
Section 3 - Entertainment & Décor
As you will find in the following Entertainment and Décor example, each year McCarthy's Party works closely with the majority of Newfoundland and Labrador's premier entertainment, such as Buddy Wassisname and the Other Fellas, Jim Payne and Fergus O'Byrne, The Irish Descendants, and The St. Pat's Dancers, just to name a few. Due to the fact that we do so much business with the entertainers we receive a price discount that most organizers do not receive. The price given to us plus our 15% management fee is about the same as booking directly. By organizing the hiring of the entertainment we would also assume responsibility for ensuring that all audio/visual requirements are met and all artists are on time.
Along with entertainment McCarthy's Party has also planned several themed events for conference organizers in the past. Our list of décor is extensive, ranging from a Newfoundland Kitchen Party to a Pirates night. We realize that every conference that comes to St. John's operates on very different budgets; some may be high while others are low. This is why we work closely with the conference organizer to customize any event to fit the given budget. The following is a sample of the Entertainment & Décor that we have used for conferences in the past, including most recently, the McDonald's National Owners/Operators Conference. Please note that prices quoted are subject to management fee (15%) and sales tax (14%).
Opening Reception
Welcome Reception "Half an Hour Later in Newfoundland" (1900 - 2200)(Hotel Ballroom)
Booths and Backdrops
Around the perimeter of the area where the reception is being held, we would have booths set up for the following: we will have artists and artisans placed in front of backdrops making Newfoundland crafts. Guests will be able to observe, ask questions, and try their hand at the following:
Cuff Knitter
Backdrop will depict a typical Newfoundland kitchen scene. A lady will be sitting in a chair knitting a pair of cuffs, better known as finger mitts. Two shades of wool are used at the same time and the patterns are passed on from mother to daughter over many generations.
Net Maker
Backdrop will depict a typical Newfoundland fishing stage. Gentleman will be showing people how to make a fishing net and/or lobster pot.
Hooked Mat Maker
Backdrop will depict a typical old-fashioned Newfoundland parlour. Mat maker will sit making mats with her materials and samples of her work available as well.
Quilt Maker
We will hang quilts as a background and our quilter will be seated in front with her frame and work in progress. She will explain the techniques in making the different quilts to guests.
Fiddler
As delegates arrive for the reception, we will have a young fiddler playing jigs and reels. The fiddler would then proceed to move about the room and play traditional Newfoundland music.
Newfoundland Dog
Delegates would be met at the door by a well groomed and smiling, Newfoundland Dog. The Newfoundland Dog is a breed that is indigenous to the Province. When the European settlers came to Newfoundland, these dogs believed to be a cross between the Bear Dog of the Vikings and the Water Dog of the Beothuk Indians, were already established. The large (average 150 pounds) dogs have friendly dispositions and were used as working animals for generations. We would have a handler stroll throughout the room with the dog.
Entertainment
On stage, we would set up a backdrop of a "Fish Flake" with fishnets and gear. This will be lit and have a sound system that will allow the music to be heard without being overpowering. We would have Jim Payne & Fergus O'Byrne performing Newfoundland and Irish music.
Jim Payne
Jim Payne is from Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland and has been a professional performing artist for 20 years. A leading performer and collector of traditional Newfoundland Music, Jim has directed, composed and performed music for some of the most popular theater productions of the past two decades. He is also producer of concerts and special events featuring traditional and contemporary music, song, story and dance that reflect the Newfoundland experience.
Fergus O'Byrne
Fergus came to Newfoundland from Ireland via Toronto. Fergus is a founding member of "Ryan's Fancy", which ran as a five-year musical program on CBC national television. Since pursuing a solo career, he has continued to appear on both television and radio. He has performed both nationally and internationally in Canada, the United States, Hong Kong, and of course in Ireland.
Fergus O'Byrne and Jim Payne have collaborated on a number of events and performances and are often featured together. Their album "Wave Over Wave" was nominated for an East Coast Music Award in 1999. They represented Newfoundland in 1999 at the Pan American Games and this year are scheduled to tour in the United States, Ireland, Northern Europe, Britain, Scotland and Wales. They will be touring in Western Canada later this year.
Optional Newfoundland Night
Newfoundland Fun Night "Rally in the Alley" (1830 - 0000) (George Street)
"Rally in the Alley"
St. John's has more bars and pubs per capita than any other city in Canada and most of them are located on the infamous George Street. This evening the group gets to experience the famous nightlife of downtown St. John's. We would host a traditional Pub Dinner/Lobster Dinner and follow dinner with an organized Pub Crawl with Club One as the gathering place once all have finished with their respective bars. The logistics of the event would go as follows:
Pub Dinner at Sundance (1 hour)
We would arrange for traditional Fish n' Chips or Lobster Dinner that has made St. John's so famous. For those who are allergic to seafood we would arrange for an alternative meal. There is bound to be some of Newfoundland's finest entertainment on hand to keep the group going.
Pub Crawl on George Street (40 minutes per pub)
Once everyone has finished their meal, we would split the group (T-Shirts or Sou' Westers) in two and assign a musician to each (i.e. bodrhan and fiddler) and arrange for a pub crawl across George Street. We would travel to 3 different venues with the musician leading the group to each venue, and at each we would arrange for the following entertainment: Screech-In Ceremony, an Irish Step Dancer, and an Irish Music Session and Sing Along (song sheets handed out as people arrive).
We would arrange for a free Molson/Labatt product at each venue and we would allocate approximately 40 minutes at each. Once each group has visited all 3 venues we would all meet at Club One for some final entertainment.
Final Destination & Entertainment
Once the groups arrived at Club One we would provide some local entertainment for the group to enjoy a Scuff, and a Swally! We would arrange for Bic and the Ballpoints to entertain the group. Bic plays a mix of dance covers that are sure to get the group up and moving to the wee hours of the morning.
Optional "Rally in the Alley" T-Shirts/Sou' Westers
We would arrange for "Rally in the Alley" T-Shirts with a custom design.
Welcome Entertainment
At the cocktail reception at the Delta ballroom, members will be entertained by:
Celtic Fiddlers
A group of 18-20 young fiddlers with a dynamic style.
Signal Hill Tattoo
Two drummers and two fife players in full uniform will play the group into the conference room.
Table Décor
Tables will be decorated with rose wreaths and each table will be named for a Newfoundland outport, eg. Come by Chance, Little Heart's Ease, Too Good Arm. These would be placed on Newfoundland Tartan Table toppers in the centre of each table.
Entertainment Between Main Course & Dessert
After members have finished the main course and are waiting for dessert, entertainment can be provided by:
St. Pat's Dancers
A group of young step dancers, accompanied by a fiddler dressed in Newfoundland tartan performing traditional Newfoundland step dancing. They are the oldest dance troupe in Atlantic Canada, started by the Irish Christian Brothers in the early 1900's at St. Patrick's Hall School.
Entertainment Following Speeches
Following speeches, we would bring out St. John's finest dance band:
Billy and the Bruisers
Billy & the Bruisers would play dancing music from the 50's, 60's, right to current rock & roll. They will have the group dancing the night away. This is a very talented group with a broad repertoire and a new sound. They will wear tuxedos or casual.
Optional Dine Around
Dine Around - A great event for Sponsors
McCarthy's Party would meet with each of the restaurants chosen for the dine around to make arrangements for our group. Each restaurant would be expecting your people in table size groups at workable intervals over a period of a couple of hours.
The following restaurants are those we would select to work with:
Basho - Japanese Fusion
Bianca's Restaurant - Seafood dishes a specialty
Blue on Water - Local fare with a gourmet flare
Cellar Restaurant - Seafood dishes a specialty
Christopher's - French Style Cuisine
Gypsy Tea Room - Mediterranean Seafood
Magnum's & Stein - French/Asian Fusion
Dine Around Procedure
We would take the total list of participants and divide them into groups. The lists would then be posted in the lobby indicating the time of departure for each person as well as the time to be in the lobby or pre-function area of the hotel. Once the last group has been sent off to their respective restaurants.
McCarthy's Party would then visit each restaurant in the cycle to make sure everything is going well. We would arrange to pay for all the meals and have individuals pay for their alcoholic beverages separately.
People can select from the menu - appetizer, main course, dessert, tea or coffee - and we will pick up the tab and bill the Association later. We can also include 1/2 litre of wine (red or white house) with the meal, if desired.
Section 4 - Hotel Shuttles
As with most conferences of your size there is a need for transportation to and from meetings and evening events. McCarthy's Party would book necessary shuttles to all conference hotels and offsite events. We have organized several shuttle schedules for conferences in the past, and what we have found is that hotel staff and signage are very important. We would provide staff and signage at each of the hotels to ensure that all shuttle services started on time. We have a great relationship with the local shuttle supplier and are able to cancel shuttles where necessary on very short notice. McCarthy's Party would charge a management fee of 15% of the total shuttle and signage price.
Section 5 - Companion Program
We realize that a companion program is essential for a conference of this size. We pride ourselves on the fact that we are the premier local tour operator in the province. We have been running tours across the island and Avalon Peninsula for over 20 years, ensuring that any guides we use are well trained and of course from Newfoundland & Labrador, therefore ensuring that all delegates and companions experience Newfoundland…with Newfoundlanders. A major part of all our tours involves the idea of cultural immersion, allowing those on tour to truly experience the people, culture, and tradition.
As with the Housing Bureau registration, we can also deal directly with the delegates if deemed more convenient by the conference organizers. We have the staff and ability to allow for online registration or fax and email registration. By doing this we can deal directly with any questions that tour goers may have. Our management fee is built into the price of the tour; hence the companion program is of no cost to the conference organizers. Please find below a list of tours and outings for your consideration.
Sample Tours and Outings
St. John's, City of Legends (3 hours)Tour old St. John's with plenty of time to see such National historic sights as Cabot Tower, Signal Hill, and Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, and the Basilica. Hear the legends of Dead Man's Pond, and Government House and the history surrounding the Colonial Building. En route, we will also see such modern edifices as the campus of Memorial University, the Confederation Building and City Hall. This tour will orient you and give you a feel for the history, legend and lore of St. John's, the oldest community in North America.
Cape Spear, The Far East of the Western World (3 hours)
Today we will visit the National Park at Cape Spear, the most easterly point of land in North America. Here the lighthouse has been restored to circa 1836. Explore the bunkers built by Canadian soldiers in the side of the cliffs here during the Second World War. Now you can say you have been to the other "far East" where you can stand with your back to the Atlantic and face every other being in North America - or turn your back on them. The choice is yours.
Outports and Lucky Rocks (3 hours)This is a leisurely drive along the Atlantic coast stopping to visit such highlights as the seals in Logy Bay, the beach in Middle Cove where you can put your feet in the Atlantic or look for "lucky rocks" to take home for paperweights or for a satiny smooth souvenir, the lookout at Flat Rock where the rocks slope so smoothly into the sea that they make a natural slipway. Bring your camera and plenty of film.
Bird Island Tour (5 hours)Today begins with a drive down the Southern shore to Bay Bulls where you will join the O'Brien's for a boat ride out to the Bird Islands to see the Puffins. On the way, they will scout for whales and icebergs and sing a few ditties. This tour is best suited for spring and early summer when the whales and birds are most prolific and the icebergs are often seen.
Sea Kayaking (9:00 am – 3:00 pm)Take a peaceful trip through the world famous wildlife sanctuaries in a sea kayak. A well trained guide will give you an orientation while on shore showing you basic paddle strokes and safety procedures of your top-quality, stable, two-person kayak before you even leave the beach. You will get to explore shorelines and hidden coves accessible only by sea kayak. You will enjoy unforgettable backdrops provided by the caves, arches, waterfalls, and cliffs.
Sea Cave Exploration (9:00 am – 2:00 pm)After lunch, we get on our floater jackets and survival suits for a trip along the Southern Shore. Today we travel in an exploration vessel normally used by scientists and photographers who come to the area to explore the caves and sea-stacks on this wonderful shoreline. Today it is our turn! This trip, which includes maneuvering into sea caves and through sea stacks is a spectacular event that will be remembered for years to come.
Artisans Day (9:00 am - 3:00 pm)Held at the Masonic Temple in downtown St. John's, the day includes lunch and an opportunity to learn a new skill. We engage: a pewter smith, a stone sculptor, a quilter, and a mat maker. Each will speak to their craft in a general way to the entire group before we break out into sections:
--The pewter smith will teach his group about the techniques used in pewter work.
--The stone carver will teach his group how to work with local Newfoundland soapstone.
--The quilter will teach her group how to do trapunto and each will be shown how to make a square featuring a whale, which can later be made into a cushion top or a wall hanging.
--The mat maker will teach the group the technique for making mats and will get them started on a small piece with a Newfoundland Saltbox House to be worked in wool.
All artisans have been invited to bring samples of their work to show and some items may even be available for sale if guests are interested. Lunch will be served on site.
Hike of the North Head Trail (3 hours)Take an enjoyable hike around North Head Trail. This trail takes you through the scenic fishing community of The Battery in St. John's. Explore the spectacular views from the North Head and Signal Hill where the trail comes to an end. We then hike to Quidi Vidi village, another fishing village in St. John's, where we visit the Quidi Vidi brewery and have a refreshing sample of their wares. We then hike along the popular Quidi Vidi Lake, which takes us back to our hotel.
'Spa at the Monastery'
Once everyone is settled in, the group can relax and enjoy an afternoon at 'Spa at the Monastery'-- a full service spa facility located in a heritage building in downtown St. John's. The spa offers an integrated program of ancient therapies combined with advanced relaxation techniques, enlightened cuisine and deluxe body treatments.
Conception Bay Tour (9:30 am - 4:00 pm)Today we will go "around the Bay" along the picturesque coastline of Conception Bay, the home of pirates of centuries ago. We will stop along the way for picture taking and to visit some of the more interesting villages such as Brigus, one of the historic sailing ports of Conception Bay and home of the late, famous Captain Bob Bartlett who took Perry to the North Pole. Our guide will regale you with the history culture and language of the Newfoundland people.
Colony of Avalon (9:30 am - 4:00 pm)This morning we will travel to the Southern Shore of the Avalon Peninsula along the winding coastline of the beautiful Irish Loop, which is dotted with small 'outport' communities for which Newfoundland is so famous. Lunch will be served in the seaside town of Ferryland after which you will visit the Colony of Avalon Archaeology Site, where the remains of an early 17th century settlement is well preserved. We will walk on a 17th–Century Street, see a 17th–century herb garden, and look at the remains of everyday life in one of the earliest European colonies in North America. George Calvert, later Lord Baltimore, founded the colony in 1621. Most people have no idea that permanent European settlement in North America dates so far back, and that Newfoundland played such an important role. The Ferryland settlement was "forgotten", and its remains lay undisturbed for centuries.
Cape St. Mary's
This morning we will travel to The Southern Part of the Avalon Peninsula for a trip to the Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve. Here we hike along the top of sheer cliffs to a huge sea stack to view the thousands of nesting Northern Gannets in all their glory. The Kittiwakes will be there as well and the Murres are also due to arrive by late March or early April.
Golf at Clovelly Golf Course
In St. John's, this course is designed to be an exclusive, high end, full service, private club. Located in the North East end of St. John's off Stavanger Drive, it features a championship par 72, 6,400 yard,18-hole course with an executive par 62, 4,000 yard, 18-hole course. It has a clubhouse available for meals and refreshments. It is located on the outskirts of St. John's about 15 minutes from all major hotels. The owner of the course was involved in the development of the Terra Nova Park Golf Course. This is the best City course available. It is newly designed, built to easily accommodate corporate functions, and offers a scenic and challenging experience.
Golf at The Wilds at Salmonier
This championship course designed by Robert Hyslop opened in 1998. It is located on the Salmonier River, which winds its way through the course creating a beautiful wilderness experience. Located 50 minutes from St. John's it features a championship, 72 par, 6772 yards, 18-hole course. It has a small hotel on the property with all the amenities. The word on the street is that the middle six of the first nine are equal to Terra Nova Course.
Section 6 - Children's Program
Certain conferences require the need of a children's program. In the past we have worked closely with the YMCA/YWCA in customizing offsite children's events. The YMCA/YWCA along with hotel staff takes great pride in their ability to provide well-trained chaperones and guides for any program they plan. We would once again work with the YMCA/YWCA and the hotels to come up with a suitable program to your liking.
