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B M & T ••• September/October 2014 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 26 PLANNING ACTIVITIES The main point of a family reunion is to get families together to have fun. The type and number of activities planned is the key to the success of your reunion. The more family members that are taking part, the more fun that everyone will have. When setting up activities keep in mind all age groups. It is important that all members of the family feel included so things like dances are a good idea for the younger set while the older generation might enjoy guided tours of the area or museum trips. Some popular activities include talent shows, family history telling, choir singing, recognition ceremonies, arts and crafts exhibi- tions, fashion shows, music and poetry, and sports. Workshops led by family members are another good way to get the family involved with each other while also adding a level of education to the reunion. Workshops can focus on a variety of topics such as economic development, investing, education, parenting skills, political action, and more. This serves as a good opportunity for family members to share their knowledge and talent with the rest of the family. Sharing the family history has become a major activity at family reunions. Families are discovering that there are many ways other than family trees and charts to tell their history. Genealogical societies, groups, genealogists and other resources are available to help families trace their roots. Interviews with elder family members can be videotaped and edited into a presentation that can be shown at the reunion. Families with a knack for showbiz can even put together a stage show to tell the family story. FINDING A VENUE More often than not, the family budget will dictate the search for the right venue. But there are many other factors that can determine the final decision of where to actually hold the reunion. Convenience, affordability, proximity to major attrac- tions, and availability of activities can all play a role in the final choice. For instance, if the primary role of the conference is to get the family to spend time together, then a more isolat- ed venue might work. Or if the reunion is an attempt to cre- ate more adventure in the family's life then a venue close to lots of exciting attractions might be a better choice. It is in situations like this that communication is key. If family members have expressed that they want a lot of free time, then picking a venue near shopping and nightlife could be the way to go. Most local CVBs can provide assistance with picking out a venue for your reunion. In addition to hotels, con- sider conference centers, state parks with housing facilities, resorts, and college campuses as suitable choices. Be creative. Even if a hotel hosts your reunion, you can schedule events at other venues. Hold a picnic at a local park, host a barbeque at a theme park or water park, or hold a banquet at an African- American history museum. Food and catering options can also dictate a decision regarding the venue. Some facilities require you to use their food service while others may offer a meal plan. Many reunions prefer to cater the event themselves for that home-cooking vibe. Confirm all arrangements in your negotiations with hotels and venues and in the information package you are sending to family members. Photo Credit: Clarence Thomas The Feggans family The Johnson family Photo Credit: Clarence Thomas Father an son at the African American Museum, Philadelphia Photo Credit: Philadelphia CVB