Media Conference in NYC!

There is a $300 non-refundable deposit.  Cash, or make check payable to “WERG – Gannon University.”  This deposit is due by October 8 (the day before Fall Break starts).  I can then make the early-bird reservations and take advantage of the discounts.

 

The remainder will be due in January before we leave. We are applying for SGA funds to defray costs.

 

Total per-student cost will be held to under $500. That covers registration, a room at the hotel, and round-trip AMTRAK tickets.  Meals, souvenirs, and touring expenses are not covered by this fee. 

 

ITINERARY

Depart Union Station (Erie) on Amtrak Train 48: Thursday, March 6; 7:20am

Arrive Penn Station (NYC): 6:23pm

(This is the Thursday and Friday of Spring Break)

Dinner: John’s Pizzeria

 

Conference on Friday, followed by Broadway

 

Conference on Saturday, Awards Ceremony, Dinner at Tony’s! (Paid for by WERG)

 

Examples of panels from last year’s conference:

https://www.ibsradio.org/friday2024

https://www.ibsradio.org/saturday2024

 

Depart Penn Station (NYC) on AMTRAK Train 49: Sunday, March 9; 3:40pm        

Arrive Erie, PA: 1:36am (early Monday - back for classes!!)

 

We generally go as a group for dinner the first night at John’s Pizzeria and split the check. Price is comparable to a good restaurant in Erie. Breakfast and lunch options abound.

We plan to dine extravagantly on Saturday evening at Tony’s DiNapoli in Times Square. WERG pays for this celebratory meal. (Any special diet requirements, please let me know and we will make accommodations).

​

Our planned hotel is the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel. I will make our reservations with the group discount for 90.5 WERG as an IBS member station.

 

New York Nightlife. 

• If you wish to see a Broadway show, plan on spending around $90-$150 for your ticket. We will book those tickets well in-advance of travel (I pay on my credit card and you reimburse me). We may not all be able to sit together, so we will arrange a meeting space after the show.

• If you will be using a credit card on the trip, you should call your bank/credit union just before we go to inform them that you will be traveling and that charges from NYC to your account are valid. 

• Times Square, Madison Square Garden, and Broadway are all within walking distance of the hotel. 

• The Empire State Building is also nearby, and going to the roof is a Thing To Do.  Tickets to the Main Deck on the 86th floor were $44 last year. 

 

Pack sensibly. Travel clothes for the train, casual clothes for the city, and casual-dress for the conference. WERG logo gear is acceptable for the conference panels, but the award ceremony is a bit more formal, and we may be winning some trophies! We’re representing Gannon, and we have twice been named Best College Station in the Nation, so let’s look the part. Broadway shows are also dressy occasions. After a show, you can’t beat cheesecake at Junior’s.

 

 Amtrak Lake Shore Limited route guide

 

Amtrak Baggage Policy

 

Learn how many carry-on items and checked bags are allowed on Amtrak, as well as Auto Train baggage requirements.

 

Please let me know if anyone else is interested.  I need to have an exact count before Fall Break.

 

Looking forward to another exciting Spring Break in NYC!