The Gathering Motel Rooms are going fast!

Check below for info on the Econo Lodge and
an additional block of rooms at the Holiday Inn Downtown

The International Gathering of Friends and Champions is “cruising” along at a fast pace! The International Show Committee and the ILR Promotions Committee have been in overdrive planning this great event to promote and enjoy the weekend with Friends, Families and of course, the common denominator in all of this, Llamas. There will be several Fun events during the weekend including a Youth Auction, Family Photo Contest, People’s Choice Awards and drawings for prizes. We will have a Midwest style Barbeque one night and also the ILR Annual Meeting.

Additional Block of Rooms:

The motel rooms blocked at the Econo Lodge for the Gathering are going fast. Due to the positive response, additional rooms have been blocked at: Holiday Inn Downtown at Mercy Campus for a $79 rate -- ask for the "Llama" group rates. Located 10 minutes form the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

Amenities:

• free on-site laundry

• restaurant and lounge

• indoor pool

Contact info: 515-283-0151

Host Hotel:

A few rooms left at the host hotel - the Econo Lodge. It is located across the street from the Iowa State Fair grounds. The facility has a block of rooms reserved for the ILR – ask for the “LLAMA” block of rooms. The motels has several room options and the rates reserved for us are a two beds for $80, King bed for $85 and King suite for $90. These are half the regular motel rate! Continental breakfast is provided by the hotel.

Telephone number of hotel is 515-262-2525.  The Iowa volunteers visited the hotel and they rated it 4 llamas!

Many other major hotel chains are also located closed to the fairgrounds so getting a room close to the show should not be a problem.

Judges for 2011:

We are pleased to announce the judges for this event. The decision was made by the Governing Board to have a single judge system, rather than a multiple judge event. The International Show committee and the Judges' Committee selected the judges for this year's event. These judges were selected because of the high degree of integrity, experience and knowledge they each have. We are proud to have them judge our first annual Gathering of Friends and Champions.

            Halter – Darrell Anderson, Indiana

            Performance – Judie Moser, Oregon and Mike Haumschild, Ohio

            Fleece –  Fran Soukup, Wisconsin and Judy Ross, Ohio

Qualifying Information:

The llama industry has traditionally held the “big finale” event at the end of the year, but with our opportunity to move to a summer venue to take advantage of better travel weather and to promote family and youth involvement, we had to reconsider our qualifying information previously announced. This mid-year event essentially gives exhibitors only half a year to earn points in 2011, we felt it prudent to change qualifying for 2011 only.   

All exhibitors must be 2011 ILR Show Division Members and those members may show any animal they own regardless of points accumulated or grands / reserved earned.

In other words, the only qualifying is being an ILR-Show Division Member! Our intention to make this first event accessible to everyone, and feel that this decision was necessary due to the event being held mid-year, rather than at year end.

Sponsorship Levels:
We will be asking for sponsors for this event. Sponsors will receive a year long listing on the ILR website including a link to their website, special acknowledgement at The Gathering of Friends and Champions, special stall recognition and additional “spot lights” by the promotion committee. Watch for the sponsorship form in the next Gathering e-Bulletin or contact the ILR office for more information.

[email protected]  ~ PO Box 8, Kalispell, MT 59903 ~ (406) 755-3438

ALONE we struggle; TOGETHER we thrive!