Fun in the Sun and Sand
The 43rd Annual AKA Convention
Ocean City, Maryland
October 10-15, 2022
Wouldn’t it be great to sit on a sunny beach and fly kites with friends? Assuming conditions allow us to safely hold our Convention this October, we’re planning a celebration of kiting and community. Here are some of the exciting changes we have planned:
· All Convention meetings, indoor flying, and other activities will happen in our host hotel, The Princess Royale.
· Most flying will happen on the beach directly in front of the hotel. (Outdoor Sport Kite competitions will be held for a few hours on the beach at 511 Boardwalk, but all other flying will be at the Princess Royale.)
· Kitebuilding competitions have been changed to encourage more participation.
· There’s more emphasis on free flying time, celebrating the art of kiting.
· We’ve planned new workshops, great food and a shorter Awards Banquet.
Every morning, there will be an amazing choice of workshops, free to registered attendees. Most classes don’t require any materials, while others offer the option of buying materials at the workshop. Complete workshop information will be available at www.kite.org no later than September 1, 2022. The only workshop that requires preregistration is the sewing workshop.
When you complete the online registration, please check the question(s) "yes" if you want to bring a sewing machine, fly sport kites or compete in one or more categories of competition.
Last but not least, every afternoon we’re planning to do lots of flying. In addition to the competitions and mass-ascensions, there will be space for show kites and demos. The Convention Committee has worked hard for the last year to make all this happen, and I am honored to have had the time to work with them. I invite you to come join us for some fun in the sun and sand.
Phillip E. R. Whitaker
Convention Committee Chairman
Deadlines & Refunds:
If the AKA cancels the Convention, at any time, due to the coronavirus pandemic, all registration fees will be refunded 100%. Early bird discounts end August 1. The Board of Directors will review the situation during the summer and make a final decision on the Convention no later than August 2 and will email this information to registrants no later than August 5.
Members cancelling their own registrations prior to August 11, 2022, will receive 100% refund. Members cancelling their own registrations between August 12 and September 11, 2022 will receive 50% refund. There will be no refunds after September 11, 2022 unless the AKA cancels as noted above. (Please note that the AKA has no control over hotel reservations and/or its refund policies.)
Can I register now and pay later? Yes. You can register for the Convention today but instead of making a payment, hit the "invoice me" tab. You can then pay any time before August 1, 2022 to receive the early bird discount. Unpaid registrations will automatically be suspended after August 1 and will need to be renewed at the non-discounted registration rate. You can make your hotel reservations by calling the Princess Royale at 800-476-9253. For discounted room rates, be sure to tell them you are with the AKA Group Code #22KITEFLIERS.
PLEASE NOTE: CONVENTION APPAREL MAY ONLY BE ORDERED PRIOR TO 8/1/22.
**By registering for the Convention, you agree to the following:
In consideration for the right to compete, as well as participate in the American Kitefliers Association 43rd Annual National Convention and Grand National Competition (the Event), I hereby hold the American Kitefliers Association, the City of Ocean City, Maryland, the Princess Royale Hotel, promoter, and any and all other persons associated with the Event harmless and release them from any and all liability in connection with my participation. I agree to engage in, and promote safe, responsible flying and to adhere to all event safety rules. I agree to inspect all facilities, fields, and equipment prior to participating and to immediately share any safety concerns with event organizers. I acknowledge that kiteflying may involve risk of serious injury and/or economic losses resulting from my actions and those of others and assume this risk and agree not to sue event sponsors, organizers, owners and lessors of event locations, and event participants as well as the American Kitefliers Association, its directors, agents and volunteers for losses damages, property damage or injury. I further agree that the Event may use, without payment, permission or restriction any photograph, film, tape, or digital image in which I may appear for any purpose whatsoever. I understand that the AKA does not control the weather and that there will be no refunds given due to cancellation of any events after September 11, 2022. NOTE: by registering on behalf of a participant less than 18 years old, the parent or guardian also expressly agrees to all of the above agreement.
I HAVE READ THE ABOVE WAIVER AND RELEASE, UNDERSTAND I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND SIGN IT VOLUNTARILY.
