2024 NBG Spring Gathering

April 26 – 28 , 2024

Double Tree by Hilton Hotel
Hartford-Bradley Airport
Windsor Locks, CT

Welcome

Hello NBG member!

We are excited to get together in person with you for the 2024 Gathering! We would like to provide you with an overview of some of the events and happenings for the 2024 Gathering.

• Class Times:
  • Friday:  1 pm to 8 pm, with a break for dinner
  • Saturday: 8 am to 5 pm, with a break for lunch
  • Sunday: 8 am to noon
• Choosing your classes: Carefully consider your level of experience, the measurements of the baskets, and any options provided by the teacher. We suggest that you measure out your basket selection on a table for a better understanding of the size of the basket.
• Meals:
  • Dinners are included in the Friday and Saturday registration packages.
  • You have the option to buy lunch on Saturday.
  • Please be aware that no outside food can be ordered to be brought into the hotel (such as pizza delivery or catering).

What you can expect to see at the 2024 Gathering – in addition to great teachers, wonderful baskets, and fun weaving companions both new and old are:

• Members’ Exhibits
• Raffle
• Marketplace
• Buddy Plan
• NBG’s Annual Meeting

and so much more.

We’re committed to providing our members a fun, fulfilling, and memorable event each spring. If you have any questions, ideas or comments, please contact us at SpringGathering@northeastbasketmakers.org .

Sue Muldoon
Amanda Thompson
2024 Gathering Committee

Index

 

Click here to see the classes

See pictures of the fun we had at the 2019 Gathering

Accommodations

Northeast Basketmakers Guild “NBG” 2023 Gathering will be held on April 26, 27 and 28, 2024

Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Hartford-Bradley Airport
16 Ella T. Grasso Turnpike
Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Hotel Reservations at the NBG rate
1-860-627-5171

The Doubletree’s rate for overnight accommodations for the NBG 2023 Gathering is $116 per night for a room with 2 double beds, plus room tax. This rate includes a breakfast buffet. If you wish to register for the overnight stay at the Doubletree, you may contact them online or call them. Be sure to mention Northeast Basketmakers Guild for the special rate. The deadline for registering and receiving the special NBG rate is March 22, 2024. The Hotel will continue to accept reservations from NBG attendees after that date at the prevailing room rate, subject to availability.

Meals

The meal options have been chosen based on cost, nutrition, and comments from past Gathering surveys. You are more than welcome to make your own meal arrangements. You may also purchase meal options for other members of your party. The cost reflects the meal price, Connecticut sales tax (6.35%), and the required 21% gratuity. As in the past, the meals are substantial, quality offerings, and the service is excellent. Friday and Saturday dinners are included in the package prices for those days. You may also buy Saturday lunch separately. When completing the meal portion of the registration, please indicate the meals that you are purchasing and the meals that you are purchasing for guests. If you are not attending dinner(s) that are part of your weekend package, please let us know. This will give us a more accurate count for planning and financial purposes.

Registration

Registration is open to all members of NBG whose membership is current;  nonmember registration begins November 30, 2023.  Remember that the Membership Year now begins July 1 and ends June 30.

All registrations must be completed online or by phone and enrollment in all classes is first come, first served. Payment must be made in full at the time of registration.  You can submit your order online and pay either (a) with PayPal (Credit or Debit) or (b) by check, made out to “NBG”.  Alternatively, you can place your order by phone with Gail Hanlon (email your name and phone number to membership@northeastbasketmakers.org and she will call you) and send a check made out to “NBG” in the mail.

• Weekend registration packages are:

• Nonmembers may register for classes after November 30, 2023.
• Packages that include Friday and/or Saturday include dinner. You may purchase lunch on Saturday, as well as purchase meals for others in your party.
• You will receive email notifications when you submit your registration and when your payment has been received.
• Payment of teachers’ fees are included with your class selections at the time of registration.
• Phone orders may be made with Gail Hanlon (email your name and phone number to Membership@northeastbasketmakers.org and she will call you)
• If you have any questions or comments, please contact  Sue Muldoon, NBG 2024 Gathering Coordinator at SpringGathering@northeastbasketmakers.org.
• You may cancel your registration at any time up to 5:00 pm, March 22, 2024 to receive a partial refund (90%). No refunds are available after this date. If you wish to receive your basket materials in kit form from the teacher, contact the Gathering Coordinator to arrange pickup or fee for shipping. Teachers are preparing kits in advance.
  
  

Buddy Plan

Anyone who is new to NBG or is attending the Gathering for the first time will be paired up with another “more experienced” member. This Buddy Plan will provide new attendees with a partner who will introduce them to other members, provide information about the Guild and details of the Gathering, and, most importantly, the Buddy can be a “friend.” Buddies will be connecting by email before the Gathering. If you have any questions or would be interested in being the “more experienced buddy,” please contact Tina Pearsall.

Weekend Schedule

April 26 – 28, 2024

Timeline

Annual Meeting

Our Annual Meeting is held after dinner on Friday Night.  Find out what is happening in the Guild and vote for new officers for 2024 – 2026.

Exhibits

Lynn Goldberg  is coordinating the NBG Exhibits during the 2024 Gathering. We encourage all NBG members to display their work in the Exhibit Area. One entry per member. Drop off of baskets begins Friday at noon and is available anytime the area is open. Baskets should be picked up during Marketplace (7:30 pm). Members may vote on Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm. Ballots will be included in the Welcome Packet at the registration area. No ballots will be available in the Exhibit room. Winners will be announced on Saturday night. More information on categories, awards, and entering your baskets will be in future newsletters. See the pictures of last year’s entries and winners.

Raffle

The raffle is always a great event! Teachers and attendees are invited to donate a basket or basket-related item for the raffle. A fun-filled, robust, highly anticipated drawing of the winners is part of the evening events on Saturday. 

Marketplace

This event is a great way to end Saturday during the Gathering weekend. Gathering teachers are invited to participate as vendors. Nonbusiness NBG members may purchase a table for $25 and sell basketry-related items. Contact Gail Hanlon with any questions or to reserve a table.

Volunteers

“Many hands make light work” is definitely how the Gathering weekend functions. In addition to all the people listed in this gathering web page who are coordinating tasks and projects, we need additional volunteers during the weekend. There will be a sign-up list of tasks posted in the lobby beginning on Friday. Please look over the list and volunteer. Event coordinators may also be contacting you to assist with an activity. We all thank you—this is another important aspect of a great, fun, and organized Gathering. We always need early-arrival attendees to assist teachers and welcome other attendees.

Grants

NBG has grants to award yearly. The application process begins in January 2024. The Bill Pope Grant is available to an NBG member to attend the Gathering. Now is the time to look at the grants and the criteria, and to make your plans. More information will be provided in upcoming newsletters. Take a look at the information on grants. Contact Kimberley Harding, Vice President, for more information.

Click here to choose your classes