Association of West Indian Gastroenterologists
2010 AWIG - CAG International Postgraduate Course
The 2010 Annual Meeting and International Postgraduate Course will once again provide attendees with the opportunity to participate in the now customary excellent annual educational exercise, this time in a setting inspired by the splendor of ancient Atlantis.
The Atlantis on Paradise Island is a fabulous luxury resort, water park and world class aquarium all rolled into one, allowing attendees to dip into a fantasy world overflowing with opportunities for adventure, excitement and relaxation
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2010 Conference Program
Conference Dates: April 22nd - 24th
As the world evolves, times change and rules come and go. Your AWIG has learnt to adapt, to see the opportunities in each change, and to make the most of each new rule.
Over the past two years there have been significant changes in the rules related to how Medical Conferences are run, and in particular to how AWIG’s conference is run in relation to the companies who have stood with us over many years.
These changes have coincided with a time of global financial change, and the combination has produced both lessons and opportunities.
The combination has taught us that, like the rest of the world, there will be more things for which we must take financial responsibility.
But this combination has also presented opportunities for more meaningful price negotiations. It has allowed us to get far more for a relatively small rise in price, and has allowed us to take advantage of more combined services than would have been allowed in years past.
So, for the 2010 conference we have negotiated a one-price for hotel rooms for single and double occupancy at the same cost! There is no cost for children under 12 years. Personal guest tax makes double occupancy $16.55 more per night; and the $50.00 extra for triple occupancy plus this personal guest tax makes triple occupancy $89.10 more per night. Breakfast not included; life is not perfect.
Thus TOTAL ROOM costs for the Beach Towers Atlantis, inclusive of taxes and gratuities are as follows:
Four Nights: Single occupancy US$1112.00 Double Occupancy US$1184.00. Triple Occupancy US$1480.00.
Five nights: Single Occupancy US$1388.00. Double Occupancy US$1477.00. Triple Occupancy US$1846.00.
We also have obtained a one-price for ALL conference events for which AWIG is traditionally responsible and again these events are covered for both single and double occupancy at the same cost! Your registration fee will cover these activities for you and your in-room guest.
For 2010, AWIG members will be asked to pay a registration fee of US$400.00 and non-AWIG members a registration fee of US$500.00.
Attendees’ guests not staying in the same room as the attendee will be asked to pay a mini-registration fee of $180.00 for adults and $50.00 for children over 11 years. These fees will cover all conference social activities for these guests. Please note, children 11 years old and younger are Free.
| Total Room Cost at a Glance*: Rates are not per person, but per room. | |||
| Single | Double | Triple | |
| Four Nights | $1112.00/Room | $1184.00/Room | $1480.00/Room |
| Five Nights | $1388.00/Room | $1477.00/Room | $1845.00/Room |
| *Total room cost includes all taxes and gratuities. Therefore Two persons in a room for 4 nights will cost $1184.00 in total and not per-person | |||
| Group Rates apply three days pre and three days post conference dates. | |||
| Registration Fees | |||
| AWIG Members | $400.00 | ||
| Non-AWIG Members | $500.00 | ||
ALL PRICES QUOTED IN US DOLLARS
Air Travel Discounts
We have also arranged with AIR CANADA for a ‘Promotional Code’ which allows attendees travelling to and from Nassau on Air Canada to get nearly 10% off the published fares!
Use coupon code: 4CQQKU71.
ACTIVITIES FOR AWIG - CAG 2010
Below is the Itinerary for AWIG 2010, and we hope that you will be happy with our choices and with our negotiations on your behalf.
AWIG and CAG have arranged a full academic program, a wonderful social calendar and two special trips to choose from on the Sunday (see social activities below) for all who would like to take full advantage of their trip to Paradise. We would be delighted if you would arrange your travel to arrive no later than Wednesday 21st April 2010 and leave no later than Sunday April 25th or better yet Monday 26th
WEDNESDAY APRIL 21st
- Official arrival day
- After front desk formalities, and over rum punch and warm welcomes, our Bahamian AWIG Welcome Team will guide you through your special packages containing all you need for your wonderful stay in Paradise.
- You are invited to “chill, unwind and chat” with your AWIG friends as they arrive throughout the day.
THURSDAY APRIL 22nd
- Morning Academic Sessions
- Minister Vince Vanderpool-Wallace, Minister or Tourism of the Bahamas, will officially welcome AWIG and the CAG at 10.30 AM just before the coffee break.
- The AWIG concierge Team will man our Hospitality Suite from 9.00 AM to the end of the sessions each day to answer your questions and make any arrangements you may wish.
- Straw plaiting is an old Bahamian art which has, and
continues to support, many Bahamian families.
Famous Straw artisans include Mrs. Bertha Brown, mother-in-law of one of our past Governor Generals; Mrs. Naomi Seymour, mother of our present Minister of State for Finance; Mrs. Dianna Thompson who retired last year at 90 years old.
The torch has been passed to many younger artisans and some of these will conduct a Straw Plaiting Workshop for the AWIG spouses and guests beginning at 10.00 a.m. - PRESIDENT’S WELCOME AFTERNOON.
After the sessions we invite everyone to walk from the hotel to the dock where we will board our private boat bound for the beach at Rose Island.
We will enjoy drinks, light snacks, music and beautiful views of Nassau and Paradise Island on the 40-minute trip to Rose Island.
There will be swimming, a beach barbecue and beach games on Rose Island and we return to base in time to watch the sunset from the boat.
FRIDAY APRIL 23rd
- Morning Academic Sessions
- AWIG’s Annual General Meeting.
- Hospitality Suite.
- Unlike Straw Plaiting, Junkanoo is not a means of income but an expression of pride in our music and our culture. Junkanoo brings together all strata of society and all walks of life, and the reward is the joy we bring to our guests and ourselves.
It is a demanding art form and some of our best, lead by Mrs. Arlene Nash of “One Family Junkanoo Group”, past Headmistress of St. John’s College and now CEO of Educulture (a teaching organization which combines classical education with Bahamian history, music and art) and her group will lead our spouses, guests and children through a Junkanoo workshop.
The workshop will include some history of the Bahamas and of the Junkanoo art form’s origins, drumming lessons, and the making of a portion of a costume.
Hold on to your costume; you will need it on Saturday!
Remember: children are welcome.
SATURDAY APRIL 24th
- Morning Academic Sessions
- Hospitality Suite
- Free afternoon
- At 7.00 p.m. our group will be picked up at the entrance of Coral Towers for the short drive to AWIG’s Farewell Function to be held at the home of Dr. Elizabeth Darville.
Please remember to bring the Junkanoo piece you made at the workshop.
SUNDAY APRIL 25th
In the spirit of making the most of life’s journey, AWIG invites Attendees to accept the option to visit one of our Family of 700 Islands.
- OPTION ONE:
A mini cruise to Harbour Island on board the Bohengie II departing Nassau at 8.00 am with on- board Bahamian breakfast on the top deck while you enjoy the breezes and the most beautiful waters on earth. Arrive Spanish Wells at 10.30 am to drop off passengers and then on to Harbour Island arriving 11.00 am.
Enjoy the pink sand of three unbroken miles of beach or explore the town until departure at 1.00 pm. Conch salad made from scratch and Bahamian drinks served on top deck on the way back to Nassau. Arrive Nassau 4.00 pm.
COST $160.00 per person.
See more about this trip and about the Fast Ferry Family of vessels at www.bahamasferries.com - OPTION TWO:
A day away to the Exumas on our fast and fabulous Powerboats leaving Nassau at 8.00 am for the wonderful trip to the Exumas where you will have, an unforgettable lunch, laze, explore and enjoy, and return to arrive Nassau at 5.00 pm.
COST $160.00 per person.
Maximum number of persons: 70. Please note: Children under 2 years of age are not accepted The trip is not recommended for persons with back problems. The trip is weather dependant and there will be a full refund in the event of weather cancellation. See more about this trip and about Power Boat Adventures at www.powerboatadventures.com
CME CREDITS
RCPSC accreditation is being sought from the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
