CLEVELAND, July 5 — Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen will convene in New Orleans for the 78th annual Southwestern Convention Meeting (SWCM), August 25-29, 2013.
Upcoming deadlines are August 3 for hotel reservations and August 10 for event registration. Event registration can be made after August 10, but the registration fee increases by $25 per person.
Arrangements Chairman Arlin Todd (Louisiana State Legislative Board Chairman, Division 914) and Co-Chairman Joe Rinchuso (Division 219) are organizing a week of educational opportunities and entertainment for BLET members and their families.
Members can download a PDF registration form from the SWCM website or the BLET National Division website. The registration fee is $140 per person if postmarked by August 10, 2013, or $165 if postmarked after.
Guests will stay at the Loews New Orleans Hotel (300 Poydras, New Orleans, La.), which is right across the street from Harrah’s Casino and near the historic French Quarter and riverfront shopping. The BLET has secured a discounted room rate of $105 per night (plus tax), and reservations can be made by calling (866) 211-6411 or (504) 595-3300. Be sure to ask for the BLET group rate when booking your stay. Reservations can also be made online at the Loews’ website.
The 78th SWCM begins on Sunday, August 25 with the annual SWCM Texas hold ’em poker tournament. Proceeds from the event are donated to the SWCM Scholarship Fund. Deadline to register for this fund raising event is August 15.
Members will enjoy the annual SWCM golf tournament on August 26 at the Lakewood Golf Club in New Orleans. The 18-hole “Lakewood” course features 7,002 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par 72. Deadline to register for the golf tournament is August 5. For non-golfers, there is a “hop on, hop off” bus tour with buses leaving Harrah’s Casino every 30 minutes between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Additional sightseeing attractions include Bourbon Street, the city’s famous streetcars, St. Louis Cathedral, Café du Monde, and countless other restaurants.
Educational opportunities on August 26 include a Mobilization Workshop and a conductors’ certification class. There is also a welcome reception the evening of August 26.
The convention kicks off on August 27 with opening ceremonies in the morning and a closed meeting for BLET members in the afternoon. The BLET Auxiliary will host an open meeting in the afternoon. That evening, registered guests will enjoy a dinner jazz cruise along the Mississippi River aboard the paddle wheeler Creole Queen.
Educational workshops for Secretary-Treasurers, Local Chairmen and Legislative Representatives will take place throughout the day on August 28. There will also be an informational workshop on health and welfare as well as a hazardous materials awareness training class.
The 78th SWCM concludes the evening of August 28 with a dinner banquet, with entertainment provided by a Cajun band.
For more information, please visit the SWCM website or contact Arrangements Chairman Todd at (504) 400-3678 or email: ArlinTodd@yahoo.com.