PRODUCTION MEETING FOR OFFICIAL PARTICIPANT OF THE D-DAY 80TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION
Conference Call Recording from Tuesday, May 21:
WELCOME - Joel Biggs - Chairman / Executive Director
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- Overview of the Event
- Purpose - Provide a Meaningful Salute to those whose service and sacrifice helped to liberate a people and preserve Freedom and Liberty Around the World - For Students you will step out of the classroom and into those places where history was made while hearing and learning first hand from the those history makers. We will always Remember
- Learning through involvement
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ITINERARY AND LOGISTICS - Chris Meeker - Executive Producer
- Pre-departure Check List
- Passports
- Instrument Manifest
- Parental / Medical release - Schools / Groups Standard release form
- Packing / Luggage - One Check in / one carry-on / Instrument
- Airport Protocol - Do not joke - There are some words that would prohibit someone from traveling
- Instrument Handling at Airport and Events (Luggage tag for Instrument)
- Snacks / Water bottle
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- Arrival Day
- Navigating CDG Airport
- Customs Procedure
- They will ask if you are leisure or business traveler - you are a leisure traveler
- Instruments can sometimes complicate entry - Be prepared (Manifest) of instruments with value noted
- If asked - This is a personal instrument for their (school) band trip
- Greet your Historic Programs Representative after Baggage Claim & Customs
- Bus - Hotel - Luggage - Instruments
- Role of your Tour Manager
- First point of contact
- Liaison between group leader and supplier
- Not a Tour Guide - They are a Manager - Ensure that the Itinerary is operated smoothly
- Step on Guide in Paris
- Group arrival vs Individual arrivals
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- Bus
- Bus Driver Limitations - Regulations
- Passenger Expectations
- Traffic jams - Drive times
- Restroom use
- Equipment Failure
- Driver - Be Respectful - Big responsibility - Get you there safely
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- Hotel
- Tourist Class Hotels
- Breakfast - European (times assigned)
- Rooms / Beds
- Toiletries
- Typical French hotels (Elevators)
- Location
- Electric Adapters - 220
- Hair Dryers? Irons?
- Luggage - Self Handling
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- Meals
- Dinners, Location, Beverages (on own)
- Lunches (on own) SME Box Dinner enroute to Paris
- Allergies
- Bring Snacks
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- Safety and Security - Priority 1
- Events
- Stay together in small groups
- Pick Pockets
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Police everywhere
- Keep your valuables on your person
- Back packs and bags subject to search
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- Euros
- Card vs Cash
- Exchange at your home bank or departure airport
- ATM Machine
- 100-200 euros (lunches, shopping)
- Tips for Drivers -Euro 1 PP ea day - Tour Managers - Euro 1.5-2 Euro PP ea day
- Bathroom Coins .50
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- Medical / First Aid
- Stations at Events
- Let us know what Medical people you have on tour
- ID bracelets
- Your group should have Medical Release Forms
- 112 for emergencies (French version of 911)
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- Paris
- Step on Guide
- Free time (Coordinate with Tour Manager)
- Performance option
- Safety - Stay in groups - Pick Pockets
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- Departure Day
- Return to airport on assigned bus at assigned time (wait time at airport)
- 3 hours in advance
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CEREMONY SCHEDULE AND PROTOCOL - Earl Hurrey - Vice President / Director of Special Ceremonies - Annual Public Ceremony - Music Centric
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- June 6, Brittany Cemetery - 80th Anniversary of Normandy Landings and the Battle of Brittany
- Arrival at Holding Facility
- Arrival at Cemetery
- Reverence
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- June 7, Normandy American Cemetery at Omaha Beach - 80th Anniversary of WWII
- Arrival at Cemetery
- Reverence
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SAINTE-MERE-EGLISE PERFORMANCE AND PARADE - Joel Biggs
- Purpose - Commemorate the Past and Celebrate the Future
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Q&A - Questions that apply to all groups - Individual questions can be addressed offline.
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Conclude at 2pm EST
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