Frequently Asked Questions at Great Northwest Day at the Capitol

Every year when we survey participants of the Great Northwest Day event, there are some reoccurring questions. The following will hopefully address some of those questions.

Question: We always have a Mardi Gras Theme. Why don’t we change it?

Answer: The Great Northwest Steering Committee feels that the Mardi Gras Theme is a “brand” for us. Also, the event is always held the first part of February so the Mardi Gras Theme fits for that time of year. Missouri legislators, governmental leaders, and staff are all aware of our celebration after several successful years and consequently expect it as well as look forward to attending. What theme would you suggest?

Question: The availability of non-smoking rooms is a concern. Can we block rooms in the fall?

Answer: Actually the rooms are blocked for the following year immediately after the event takes place. Right now rooms are already blocked for 2009 and 2010.

Question: The band at the Mardi Gras event is fun, but it makes it very difficult to talk to the legislators present. Would it be possible to play background music and not have a band?

Answer: The evening Mardi Gras event is promoted as a sharing time for our communities with our elected officials. And... we want it to be a fun and engaging time as well. The band is part of the package we present to them. The event would not be the same without a live band.

Question: The “group” lodging rates at the Capitol Plaza seem really high. Why don’t we get better rates?

Answer: The Capitol Plaza does not charge us for the ballrooms and other rooms necessary to prepare for this event. Dropping the individual rate would necessitate charging us for the other areas we use during this event.

Question: I am not always receiving updated information on the event. The agenda changes and I would like up-to-date information.

Answer: The Great Northwest Web site and your County Coordinator are your best sources of information. The W eb site is constantly kept up to date and is available 24/7.

Question: Are we losing interest from both the legislators and the community participants? Maybe a new location would help?

Answer: Actually, we are not losing interest. We have many legislators tell us that they look forward to our event every year. Numbers consistently go up yearly. There are no other hotels in the Jefferson City area that are close to the Capitol and provide ballroom space large enough to hold our event.

If you have a specific question regarding Great Northwest Day at the Capitol, please feel free to e-mail us at gnw@heartlandfoundation.org .

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Heartland Foundation... Leadership Northwest Missouri... Healthy Communities for the Midwestern Four Corners

For more information, contact:
Deb Powers, Director of Healthy Communities
Heartland Foundation
518 S. 6th Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501
Phone: 816-271-7185
Toll-Free: 1-800-447-1083
Fax: 816-271-7269

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