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Welcome to the Sunshine Region’s 2023 Convention Information Page!
This event is open to everyone, members as well as non-members
October 12th - October 14th, 2023
Where?
​
John Trinkle Center
Hillsborough Community College Campus
1206 North Park Road
Plant City, Florida
Online Reservation
We are now ready to take registrations for this year’s convention.
We are adding more than past conventions – you do not want to miss it. We hope everyone is able to attend and take advantage of the Brightline tour (only with registration) and see a great presentation by Brightline at our banquet.
Register soon! Our registration fee is currently on sale, but only for a limited time!
Thank you!!
Train Show
We will be implementing a wristband process when entering the train show this year making it a simple process when going in and out of the show. We are also anticipating a full sell-out of our vendor tables this year so plenty to see.
One additional change will be the lunch offering at the train show. We will be offering a choice of a 1/4 pound hot dog or meatball sandwich along with a bag of chips and soda/water for $5. Best deal in the house unless you just need that butter burger from Culvers!
BrightLine Railroad
This year we’ve added an event hosted by Brightline Railroad where we will meet at the OrlandoBrightline Station and get a full tour of the facility! This will be a great opportunity to see the inner workings of a brand-new facility. We’ve also added a fun project called “The Caboose Challenge” Everyone has a caboose, or 2, or 3, LOL. Let’s repurpose them and create a scene. Take a look at the link below. Hope you enter one. Only 1 model entry per participant.
Banquet Speakers
Brightline has committed to providing a speaker at our banquet on Saturday night providing information and discussion of the railroad's expansion. We also will have a couple of folks from National NMRA including Gordy Robinson, president!
Hotel
The Holiday Inn has been gracious enough to only have a slight increase in cost from last year which is fantastic given the inflation rate affecting all of us. This year the Holiday Inn is charging us only $109 plus tax/fee but does require a minimum two-night stay and this discounted rate can only be obtained by using a special link (you cannot get this discount by calling the hotel or by going to their website). We will email you this special link after you register for the convention. As always, there are a limited number of rooms being provided to us, and the special rate will end on 8/15/23 or when we fill the block of rooms allocated to us. Again, register early so you can lock in your room!!
Banquet Raffle
This year we will be implementing a new type of raffle ticket for the Sunshine Region (see pic). This ticket will make it easier for everyone as the card has 10 perforated tickets for dropping into the raffle cup you are interested in and all of your tickets have the same number on the card making it easier to check your winning number. There is also a special ticket labeled “Door Prize Coupon”. This ticket will be used for something special --- you’ll just have to attend the convention to find out more! Lastly, the tickets will be priced at $10 dollars per card. That’s 10 tickets and one door prize on each card. You can purchase 3 cards for $25. You can even order your raffle tickets on your registration form, They’ll be waiting for you at the door.
Banquet Meal
As mentioned, we have changed caterers and will be offering a steak and chicken plate (yes – you get steak and chicken!). Tender marinated flank steak and grilled boneless breast of chicken served with tropical fruit salsa, yellow rice garnished with sweet peas and peppers, a garden salad, roasted vegetables, assorted rolls and butter, tropical chips, and a dessert basket with cookies and brownies. Sodas, Coffee, tea, or water are also available to wash down all this deliciousness along with a celebratory cake to close out a great convention.
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