The Rock Chapter is hosting the 2008 “Gathering of the Loads” at the Doubletree Hotel Memphis Downtown, in Memphis, Tennessee. Please mark your calendars for June 11-14 2008 (Wednesday through Saturday) departing on Sunday, Jun 15, 2008.

According to our association by-laws we are required to have a general membership meeting on a biennial basis. The last “Gathering of the Loads” was held two years ago at the Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, CA. The Parker-Aguillon-Payne Chapter did an outstanding job and raised the bar for all of us the meet. Never the less, our chapter has met the challenge and we plan for this to be the best “Gathering” yet!

Members planning on attending must complete and send in the Registration Form. As you can see, we are not charging any registrations fees.  The only thing you’re responsible for is getting yourself to Memphis, TN and paying for your hotel room and any activities that you’d like to participate in (See Registration Form).  After submitting your registration form, go the Doubletree Hotel website and register for your hotel rooms.  Enter your registration information (i.e. 11-15 Jun 2008) and then enter the Group/Convention Code: GOL.  This will ensure you get the group discount rate.  We’ll take care of the rest.  Loadmasters who are not members of the PLA are welcome to attend. There will be plenty of opportunities to join the PLA at the “Gathering”.

The Doubletree Hotel in the heart of Downtown Memphis enjoys a premier location directly across the street from AutoZone Ball Park and Peabody Place Entertainment & Retail Center. The full service hotel is within blocks of Memphis' most popular attractions like the FEDEX Forum (home of the NBA Memphis Grizzlies), world-famous Beale Street (birthplace of the blues), the Orpheum Theatre, Cook Convention Center, and the Pyramid Arena Sports & Entertainment complex. With easy access to I-40, our hotel is only 15 minutes from Memphis International Airport (MEM).

For planning purposes, we encourage you to register prior to 1 January 2008.  Hotel rates are $109 per night (plus 15.95% tax) for single or double occupancy, and $10.00 extra per person for 3 or 4 people.   In order to receive the hotel group rate you must register prior to 20 May 2008.

Valet parking is available for $12.00 per day.  We are currently attempting to arrange for a shuttle bus service to/from the Memphis International Airport (more to follow).

For any questions please contact Jason Kunkel at (501)259-1651 or jason.kunkel@littlerock.af.mil