New_Orleans_Details

The Wing of AsMA

Annual Meeting and Tour Information

Monday, May 22

Welcome Reception

Monday, May 22, 2:30-4:30 PM

Connect with old friends and make some new ones in a relaxed environment at our annual Welcome Reception. Remember to bring a small gift reminiscent of your home city, state or country for the gift exchange and please include a short note letting the recipient know who/where the gift is from. New members, and first-time attendees don’t bring a gift as we are very happy to welcome you to THE WING!

This year’s Welcome Reception will be held in THE SHERATON NEW ORLEANS HOTEL “Grand Couteau” Room.

Tuesday, May 23

TOUR #1 – Swamp Adventure – Airboat Boat Tour*

Tuesday, May 23, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM $75.00

Meet at 8:15 AM in the Lobby at The Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.

We’ve chartered an airboat for an exhilarating adventure. You will experience an educational swamp tour and a high-speed airboat ride. Airboats are driven by a 454 Chevy Engine that will produce speeds up to 35 miles an hour. The boats are propelled by a huge fan that will blow air from the back of the boat more than 200 miles an hour. Airboats ride in inches of water and go where traditional boats cannot go! These boats were designed to take you to inaccessible areas of the swamp, which you cannot reach otherwise.

Tips included. After return to the hotel, lunch is on your own.

*Airboat tours are performed in an open boat. If it rains, you will get wet AND you may get wet without rain, too. In case of inclement weather, the airboat tour may be shortened or replaced with the covered tour boat swamp tour. BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE AIRBOAT RIDE, PREGNANT WOMEN OR PEOPLE WITH NECK OR BACK PROBLEMS CANNOT PARTICIPATE. HEARING PROTECTION IS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY. YOU CAN PURCHASE INEXPENSIVE RAIN PONCHOS AT THE SWAMP TOUR SNACK SHOP.

TOUR #1A – Swamp Adventure - Swamp Boat Tour

Tuesday, May 23, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM $ 55.00

Meet at 8:15 AM in the Lobby at The Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.

You will be very comfortable on this swamp tour boat. Complete with roof, restroom, cushioned seats and windows that can be raised or lowered during cold or rainy weather, along with plenty of standing and walking room. The slow drift of the swamp tour boat through moss draped trees and small waterways will provide ample opportunity for viewing and photography. The tour will be fully narrated. Most captains are natives of the Barataria Swamps with a background in gator hunting, fishing and trapping.

Tips included. After return to the hotel, lunch is on your own.

TOUR #2 – Self-Guided St. Charles Streetcar Tour

Tuesday, May 23, 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM Pay as you go

Meet at 9:30 AM in the Lobby at The Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.

You and other adventurous Wing members will meet and navigate your way to the St. Charles Streetcar. Don’t worry, we’ll help get you started, but be sure and register so we know who all will be taking this self-guided independent tour. The St. Charles Streetcar can be boarded a couple of blocks from the hotel. Bring cash. Expect to pay $1.25 cash to get on the streetcar (but we recommend that you buy a daily pass for $3.00). The ride takes about 45 minutes each way to ride along St. Charles Street. The route gives you a grand view of some of New Orleans’ most beautiful and interesting homes, the Central Business District, Audubon Park, plus Tulane and Loyola Universities. We suggest looking at the stops ahead of time and hopping off to browse in the shops or eat in one of the darling cafes along the way. If you like to explore on your own or with a small group and don’t mind handling your own agenda, this tour is for you. Pay as you go for what you want. This tour is one you design as you go.

Wednesday, May 24

Annual Wing Bruncheon & Business Meeting

New Orleans School of Cooking $50.00

Wednesday, May 24, 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

524 St. Louis Street – New Orleans, LA 70130

Meet in the lobby at 9:30 AM. We can either walk together (0.4 miles or about 12 minutes) or order a ride share to one of The Wing’s favorite activities. We’ll enjoy a demonstration class where we will “Watch – Learn – Eat”. The lesson and meal includes: starter, entrée and dessert. We will learn about New Orleans folklore and how to make tasty dishes that are easy enough to make at home. Our Annual Wing Business meeting will be held in this delightful setting. Of course, there’s a lovely shop where you’ll find so many fun and unique New Orleans cooking items. This will be a great culinary learning experience with delicious food and a great business meeting.

Dietary options are available – Vegan, Gluten Free & Vegetarian. Please email to: [email protected] if you request one of the dietary alternatives by MAY 8, 2023.

Tips are optional but can be given easily and discreetly at your table.

Thursday, May 25

TOUR #3 – Mardi Gras World & Mask Making Class $ 65.00

Thursday, May 25, 8:45 AM – 12:30 PM

Meet in the lobby at 8:45 AM – Transportation is “on our own.” We’ll share taxis / ride shares and caravan together. It’s about 1.5 miles over there. Too far to walk and too close to charter a bus!

Get ready for a Behind the Scenes Tour of Mardi Gras World. The Wing gets to see a special side of Mardi Gras that no one else gets to see! We kick-off with a 15-minute introductory movie. Then, we have an hour walking tour through Mardi Gras World’s working warehouse where their artists make over 80 percent of the Mardi Gras props, floats and fun. Be sure to bring your camera and take advantage of the many photo ops.

Next, we’ll enjoy a private Mask Making Class. One of Mardi Gras World’s certified artists will lead us through designing our very own Mardi Gras mask. They provide all of the magic we need to create our masterpieces, including a premium felt backed mask, glitter, feathers and more. Once our creations are complete, we might agree to wear our works of art as a fun accessory to Honor’s Night! We’ll head back to the hotel and lunch is on your own.

WING HOSPITALITY ROOM AND REGISTRATION

Grand Couteau Room

Registration Hours:

Sunday, May 21: 1-5 PM

Monday, May 22: 10 AM-1:30 PM

Hospitality Room Hours:

Sunday: 1-5 PM

Monday: 10 AM-1:30 PM

Register online

or send your completed form and check to:

Brenda Clinton, Treasurer

10603 Derby Mesa Ct