CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE

OCTOBER 14-18, 2024

from CHERYL JACKSON

I am really excited to write and share with you that it is that time again....to gather together and 'get your batteries recharged' just by being together.

Almost all of the Expat Alumni reunion planned for our 23rd annual gathering in Chattanooga, Tennessee in October is complete.

Our hotel headquarters will be

The Hotel Chalet 

92 Choo Choo Ave Chattanooga, 

TN  37408                      

Phone directly to 423-266-5000

The hotel is ready for booking! So please go for it!!! 

When you contact the hotel,  to get our negotiated rate (only for 10/14 thru 10/17)

book on line using the web site below

https://thehotelchalet.com/

If you need a roommate, let me know and we’ll try to help

The Hotel Chalet at the Choo Choo places you in the heart of Chattanooga. It is within a minute walk to the Songbirds Guitar Museum and the Chattanooga Choo Choo. This upscale hotel is 1.4 Miles/2.3 km from the Tennessee Aquarium and 4 Miles/6.4 km from Ruby Falls and 5.9 Miles/9.4 km from Lookout Mountain.

Dates: October 15-Oct 18

Hotel: Hotel Chalet, Chattanooga TN

Monday Oct 14: 

Early arrivals. No Shanghai Expat Reunion plans.

Margo, Bob and Cheryl have made dinner reservations for 3 ourselves at 6:30pm in the Hotel Chalet restaurant, Elsie’s Daughter. Please make your own dinner reservations and spend some time near to us in the restaurant.

An alternative would be dinner in Stir which is a nice mid-range oyster bar and eatery in the Chattanooga Choo Choo (the former Choo Choo train station). It is approx. a 4 min walk from the hotel. There are other nice eateries around the hotel. 

All activities on Oct 14 are on your own.

Tuesday Oct 15: 

Breakfast: there is no breakfast included. There are several really good bakeries, coffee shops etc., within a few minutes’ walk along Market and Main Streets. Notable are Niedlov's Cafe & Bakery on Main St. and Frothy Monkey in the Choo Choo train station.

Daytime: Folks arriving for the reunion. Those who have come in early may be touring the Chattanooga area. More tour and golf info will be sent out to participants as we get closer to the reunion. Touring is on your own.

5 – 8 pm. The ‘meet and greet’ is in the “Cabooze” room at STIR. STIR is located in the old Choo Choo train station and is a 5-10 min walk behind the hotel (about 500 feet from the Hotel Entrance).  Light hors d’oeuvres included. Cash bar on your own.

For those who do not want to walk, we have arranged for the Chattanooga trolley to move up to 22 folks from the Hotel Chalet to STIR. We will have to assist those same folks to return after STIR back to hotel. The Trolley will leave right at 5 PM, so start boarding by 445. This trolley is not available later that evening. 

After 8 pm: Dinner on your own. You may want to reserve a table at STIR for dinner.  We can attest to the quality of the food at STIR.

We will have SUVs to transport people back,, if needed.

Wednesday Oct 16:

Breakfast: there is no breakfast included. 

Daytime: on your own to tour in Chattanooga environs. More tour and golf info will be sent out to participants as we get closer to the reunion.

5pm: The Chattanooga Trolley will take us to the Southern Belle Riverboat dock. The first trolleyy will depart Hotel Chalet at 5 PM sharp. At least 22 people should be on board. The trolley will drop us at the dock at 5:10 PM.

5:20 pM: The trolley will return to the hotel and pick up the rest of our group by 5:25 PM. That group will be droped off at the dock by 5:35-40PM.

bording on the Riverboat Southern Belle begins at 5:30 and departs at 6 pm.

6 - 7:30 pm: Sunset Cruise aboard the Southern Belle Riverboat included. Cash bar (drinks and snacks on board) on your own.

7:30 until 9 pm:  Right after the sunset cruise, we have tables reserved in the Overboard Bar and Grille located on the boat dock. We have set a mini buffet style meal for the group. A bar is available for adult beverages — On your own. (*)

9pm: Shuttle trolleys will return us to the Hotel Chalet. 

9:20 pm: The trolley returns to grille to pick up remainder of participants.

(*) Important to let Margo know if you plan to have this after cruise dinner with the group. We need to confirm the number to the restaurant within 10 days of our reservation (by October 6th).

Thursday Oct 17:

Breakfast: there is no breakfast included.

Daytime: on your own to tour in Chattanooga environs. More tour info will be sent out to participants as we get closer to the reunion.

6 – 8:30 pm: Three course dinner at The Public House with limited wine included. There is a cash bar for additional adult beverages. 

8:30 -9 pm: after dinner discussions about the reunion in 2025 (Mark and Barb Brown in Decatur-Huntsville AL) and possibly 2026.

Friday, Oct 18: 

Breakfast: there is no breakfast included.

Check out is 11am: Check out unless you are staying longer. 

The room rates are guaranteed from Oct 14 through Oct 17rh (check out on 10/18). Rates earlier and afterwards are market rates. 

Hotel parking is quoted as $18 per day.

chattanooga