Fall 2009 Board Meeting
Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel Dana Point, California
September 8-11

The Fall board meeting for the AKFCF Board of Directors will be held at the beautiful Ritz Carlton resort in Orange County, California September 8-11, 2009.

Tentative Meeting Agenda
Check back for updates (http://www.akfcf.com/Agenda.pdf)

Beautifully situated atop a 150-foot bluff with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is an elegant coastal retreat inviting guests to relax, indulge and pamper themselves in the ultimate home away from home offering a first-class, luxury hotel experience. The four-story structure is reminiscent of a classic Mediterranean villa with fountains and French doors that open onto private terraces from each guestroom. The balconies overlook either the ocean or pools with magnificently landscaped gardens and courtyards.

Guestroom amenities include:

42-inch flat screen, plasma televisions in every guestroom
CD/DVD player in every room
Walk-in closet
Sophisticated, dual-controlled, overhead lighting with eight settings over the bed
Sleek designed mahogany furniture hand crafted in Italy
Desk- and bedside-level outlets for easy computer use or overnight cell phone/PDA charging
Full-length mirrors in the bathrooms
Minibar and safe

Featuring only the freshest produce, herbs, seafood, meats and dairy products, The Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner so guests can enjoy the calming ocean view any time of day. The Bar, which overlooks the surf, is situated along the oceanfront and enables guests to gather to savor the view and beautiful surroundings over a cocktail or beverage.

The Ritz-Carlton Spa will be the location for the spouse event in September. Each of the 11 treatment rooms, includes its own water feature, highlighted by a crushed crystal glass ceiling with customized lighting to match each treatment. The spa also includes two Vichy showers and a couples’ massage room. With a variety of health, beauty and wellness treatments, including massage therapy, facials, manicures/pedicures in a beautiful circular atrium overlooking the hotel grounds and pool, and other body treatments, the spa offers self indulgence at its best. Separate ladies’ and gentlemen’s locker areas features eucalyptus steam, dry sauna and shower facilities. Peaceful ladies’ and gentlemen’s lounges provide a quiet retreat for guests to relax before and after treatments. Guests can enjoy healthful snacks in the relaxation areas, as well as fresh fruit and fruit infused water. An all-new two-level fitness center is perched atop the bluff and offers hotel guests an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean while they work out. Guests can challenge themselves with brand new, top-of-the line Precor cardiovascular and Icarian strength training equipment each complete with TV and multi-media capabilities, as well as resistance training machines and a free-weight area.

Four tennis courts with a full-time professional coach and two heated swimming pools and two outdoor whirlpools are also available. Adjacent to the hotel is the Monarch Beach Golf Links, an 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. A golf outing is planned on Wednesday afternoon.

Attractions of interest within an hour by car or boat include Santa Catalina Island, Dana Point Harbor, Balboa Island, The Disneyland Resort, Knott’s Berry Farm, San Diego Zoo, South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island, California’s premier shopping centers. Nearby Laguna Beach has more than 70 art galleries, many more boutiques and some great restaurants.

Transportation

The closest airport to the Ritz Carlton is the John Wayne/Orange County airport (SNA), about 25 minutes from the property. Valet parking is $20/night.
Please plan to arrive on Tuesday, September 8th in time for dinner that evening. Our final event is a dinner on Friday evening. Please check the agenda carefully and complete the form below with your arrival and departure information. If you want to come in early or stay after the meeting is over, our group rate of $265/night (no resort fee - complimentary internet) is valid 3 days prior and after the meeting dates.

What we need from you

If you are bringing a spouse or guest, he or she is invited to join the group for all meals - please indicate on the form if they will be participating so we can assure accurate counts. It is especially important to know if you will be staying on Friday night, as we don't want to pay for meals we will not be using ... this has been a big issue in the past!
Attendee Form - Please complete this form prior to July 31, 2009. (http://www.akfcf.com/Fall%20meeting%20information%20form.htm)

Questions?

Contact Debbie Newton. (debbienewton@bellsouth.net)