huntsville, alabama

OCTOBER 14-17, 2025

from Barb and Mark brown

The dates of our 2025 reunion in Huntsville, Alabama are set as Tuesday, October 14th, 2025, with checkout on Friday, October 17th.  

Our reunion hotel this year will be The Embassy Suites, 800 Monroe Street, Huntsville, Alabama. 

Note** This is a pet friendly hotel with more detailed information on the hotel website for anyone needing it**

 Our hotel room rate is $ 159.00

Amenities include a full breakfast buffet, including an omelet bar and an evening managers gathering, including (2) free drink tickets and small snacks.

There is also a salt water, heated indoor pool and a well equipped work out room.

Hotel Parking is very convenient at an additional charge of $10.00 per day. There is no valet 

parking offered at the hotel. 

while there is no hotel shuttle service, there are excellent taxi and Uber services, if you need either

To reserve your room, use the following Booking link: 

https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/hsveses-912-a7df8e1e-a586-45d0-886e-

Guests are also able to receive the discounted rate by calling (256) 539-7373 or (800) 362-2779 and using the code 912, or requesting to book for Shanghai Expat Alumni Reunion. The discounted rate will apply to Monday night, October 13th for anyone wanting to come in a day early.  Please keep in mind the last day for guest to book within the block is 9/19/25. [If you book the hotel via a third party or stay elsewhere, we may not be able to meet our obligated room nights quota.]

Barb and Mark suggest you request a room close to the elevator.  A) it is atrium style layout so if at the opposite side it’s a fairly long walk and b) the hospitality room will be right next to the elevator.

You will have plenty of free time on Wednesday and Thursday to tour the area. There is an extensive list of things to do and see. More detail will be included in a future email and on the expat website.

Traveling to Huntsville: If you are not planning to drive to Huntsville, there is an airport in Huntsville, 

however, if you wish to keep costs down you may want to check out flying in to either Birmingham (south of Huntsville) or Nashville, Tennessee (north of Huntsville) Both Birmingham and Nashville are 1 1/2 hour driving time to Huntsville or you may prefer Atlanta's airport which is 4 hours to the east.

HOSPITALITY ROOM:

there will be a Hospitaity room set up for everyone to come to and discuss the weather. it should be open most tuesday, wednesday and thursday evenings until 11:00 PM.

It wil be open Monday evening as well, most likely by 7:00 PM, for early arrivals. There will be a limited selection of snacks, soft drinks, beers, wine and spirits for everyone to enjoy.

ITINERARY FOR REUNION

Monday Oct 13: 

CHECK IN TIME IS 4:00 PM

Early arrivals. No Shanghai Expat Reunion plans. Hospitality room will be open by 7 PM. You are on your own for entertainment and meals.

Tuesday Oct 14: 

Breakfast: there is a full breakfast buffet including an omelet bar and evening managers gathering including 2 free drink tickets and small snacks.

Daytime: Touring is on your own.

REGISTRATION: THERE WILL BE A TABLE SET UP IN THE HOTEL ATRIUM TO HAND OUT THE BADGES AND WELCOME BAGS, STARTING at 2:00 PM.

5:30 PM TO 7:00 PM: HOTEL MANAGER’S RECEPTION

6:30 PM – 8:30 pm: The ‘meet and greet’ will be in A hospitality room in the hotel. hORS D’OEUVRES PROVIDED. CASH BAR.

After 8 pm: Dinner on your own. You may want to reserve a table for dinner.  Suggestons will be provided in future posts/emails/website.

Wednesday Oct 15: Day on your own

Breakfast: there is a full breakfast buffet including an omelet bar and evening managers gathering including 2 free drink tickets and small snacks.

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

evening: Dinner on your own. You may want to reserve a table for dinner.  Suggestons will be provided in the goodie bags and future posts/emails/website.

Thursday Oct 16: Reunion dinner and day on your own

Breakfast: there is a full breakfast buffet including an omelet bar and evening managers gathering including 2 free drink tickets and small snacks.

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

6:00 – 8:30 pm: Three course dinner at the revialist restaurant located at 106 jefferson hilton hotel. we will shuttle over using our own cars (about 0.8 mile from the embassy suites). valet parking is included in the dinner arrangements.

Dinner: Choice for main course of salmon or prime rib.

DRINKS: LIMITED WINE WILL BE PROVIDED AT EACH TABLE. dRINKS AND ADDITIONAL WINE CAN BE PURCHASED FROM THE BAR.

PRE-DINNER SUGGESTION: we suggest meeting AT THE baker and able ROOFTOP BAR also at the 106 jefferson hotel (a Hilton Curio collection) FOR PRE DINNER DRINKS and a terrific view of the city, before going downstairs to dinner. THE BAR OPENS UP AT 4 PM. (look up at www.bakerandable.com) [trivia: baker and able were the 2 monkeys to successfully travel to space in 1959. Baker is buried here in huntsville at the space center.]

8:30 -9 pm: after dinner discussions about the 25th reunion in niagra on the lake in 2026 and possibly next location in 2027.

Friday, Oct 17: farewell and check out

Breakfast: there is a full breakfast buffet.

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

The room rates are guaranteed from Oct 13 through Oct 16Th (check out on 10/17). Rates earlier and afterwards are market rates. 

Hotel parking is quoted as $10 per day.