I've booked ten rooms at American Inn in Monona for our group. The reservations are for March 8 and 9.   The change in motels was made because our old place had the meeting room reserved already.  American has a meeting room available and I reserved it.
The cost of the rooms is $126 per night. You need to book the room by Feb. 9 otherwise the rooms will be open to the public.  When booking a room tell them that you're affiliated with Quiet Journey.
Let us know if you'll be attending.

American Inn
101 West Broadway
Monona, Wi
608-467-4791

Looks like I will NOT be going to Copia 2024.  I was just informed by my wife and daughter  that they booked a trip to Myrtle Beach March 6 -13th with the grandkids.  They thought Copia was March 15-17th. Plane tickets and hotel already secured.

Geesh … this will be the 1st Copia I have missed since I think it started. Very disappointing as I really enjoy the show and hooking up with my paddling buds.

Marten wrote on Dec 14^th, 2023 at 6:06am:

I was planning to make a batch of chili (along with some other treats) for Friday night's meal.  It seemed to go over well last year. 

We'll order food for Saturday night or there's a restaurant next to the motel.

I'm just putting a pin in this thread so that I can follow the arrangements as they change and morph into.....whatever....

Just made a reservation for the room, bought tickets, and getting show guide mailed out as well.

I'll see if I can pick up some Norske Nook pies again for Saturday....

I just booked it through Expedia. Same price.

I contacted American Inn today.  We have 10 rooms reserved for March 8 and 9.  The front desk confirmed that again today.  Looking forward!

MagicPaddler and I have booked a room.

pd

We will be staying at the Home2 Suites, which is also right across from the Alliant Center.  We stayed there last year and it was very convenient.  The restaurant next door is excellent, too.  We will no doubt drop in on your Friday evening gathering, as we usually do.  Always enjoy seeing you folks.

Who’s planning to attend Copia? I’m hoping to see my paddling friends there. Please post if you’re going to Madtown. Less than a month…

Not sure how many rooms we have taken up. Hope it is enough to get us the meeting room at low or no cost. I know my sister Paula has rooms and just got word that newbie Mike has a room too.

The hotel told my sister today that they have just three rooms under Quiet Journey so it will get sorted when we are on site. We just need to be sure to have a donation box to cover the $150 for the meeting room.

Is the $150 per night or for the weekend? I’m fine with a donation can. In fact, if requested, I’ll donate the can to the cause. Looks like we’re downsizing this year.

I will bring the requisite Leinie's - Canoe Paddler of course.  Maybe some Northwoods Lager too.

pd

I’ll bring Alaskan beers.

Went shopping for my Friday evening meat entree, got it covered now.

Looking forward to it Marten!   

OS - the mixed nuts will show up on their own.   

pd

My understanding is the $150 covers both Fri. and Sat. nights.

My presentation is on Sunday at 11:30am in the Caribou room. It’s about Padding Alaska and just scratches the surface exploring the thousands of padding opportunities in the Last Frontier. I hope you can stay Sunday to see it. If you can, I can use volunteers to distribute free materials to those attending. Let me know if you can help. I’m planning to be there all weekend. Thanks  8- . It’s in the caribou room because we caribou you 

Youse folks enjoy yourselves, drive safe n' stuff... 

That was fun as usual. Thanks for your part, Mike, in the organization of this as well as  mule Lars, marten and everyone else who pitched in. Looking forward to seeing some of you on the water this summer!

Thanks Lynda I wasn’t sure about how many people would attend. Being a Sunday presentation, it could be a few or more. I was pleasantly impressed by the room full of people. They seemed to be genuinely interested in Alaska. The part about driving to Alaska was in response to a question about that. That would be a fun presentation.

I also enjoyed seeing those who were in Madtown. Always nice to catch up with the gang. I appreciate the Spartans distributing my Alaska materials on Sunday.

I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, across the road from the Alliant. I think that’s my new home in Madison. They have awesome cooked breakfast buffet. They have a very nice meeting room which we can use for private breakfasts. We don’t need a minimum of rooms to have it. One of the really nice features that I used is they have a shuttle that will take you to the Alliant doors on your schedule. Call them when you’re ready to return and they will pick you up. This saves the time and expense of parking. For those flying in, the shuttle can meet your flight, saving the expense of a car rental. They will also take you to various area restaurants. They were awesome!

My suggestion is that we consider this as our new location for QJ gatherings.

I just talked to Mike Peebles about Old Salts Holiday Inn Express proposal for COPIA 2025.   He and I think we should make the Holiday Inn Express our home for Copia 2025!

Having a meeting room to visit in at no charge is a real plus. And you can’t beat the location.

Copia folks let Old Salt know your thoughts about the Holidsy Inn Express right away so he can get it booked. 

Thanks Rich for inquiring about the Holiday Inn Express as a base of operations for Copia 2025.

If it were up to me (and it's not) I'd ask MuleLars for advice

I have texted Madison resident Mulelars. He is a thumbs up with the Holiday Inn as our base of operations for COPIA 2025.

Thanks to Old Salt for organizing.

Old Salt wrote on Mar 28^th, 2024 at 2:01am:


Contract?

I can weigh in--not too much to add, though.

It is a great location (and slightly closer for me!!), and that shuttle is super convenient. I've had out-of-town work people use it to go all over in Madison. For example, those who want to go wherever BWCA.com is having their Saturday night gathering, you can take the shuttle. Or you can take the shuttle my house and pick me up 

Should be a great location.

Good job, OS!
ml

Sounds great to me.