Dear Friends
The following FAQ may help you and other members who would want to enjoy the COB. 
1. What is the COB?
a. ‘Change Over banquet’ is much like an Installation, where the new President along with his team takes over from the incumbent President. It is always held on the 2nd Saturday of July. It is normally attended by the outgoing & incoming members of the NEX. It is advisable that Table & Area executives attend the event. The official ‘change over’ is followed by fellowship & entertainment. The outgoing NEX has its last meet & the incoming NEX have their 1st meet preceding & following the banquet respectively.
2. Where is the COB this time?
a. The COB is being held at Hyatt, Asia’s premier resort with the largest pool in India. It’s a brand new property. The details are available at its official website www.goa.park.hyatt.com
3. Who are the hosts?
a. The COB, this time is being hosted HRT 37 along with HCRT 142, HART 153, HKRT 178, BRT 7, PCRT 128, HLC 45, HCLC 71 & BLC19.
4. When is the COB being held?
a. This time, it is being held over 2 nights for a variety of reasons on the 10th & 11th July. Moreover, Goa is not a destination that anyone would want to visit just for a ‘single’ day.
5. What is the program over the 2 days.
a. The PACART meeting will be held on Friday the 10th between 10am & 2 pm.
b. The PACE meet will be held for the incoming officers on Friday the 10th between 2pm & 6pm.
c. The COB part 1 & informal night party will be held on Friday the 10th from 8pm onwards. It may be an outdoor event. Monsoon is playing an obstacle at the moment. The event will have a theme with dress code and lots of entertainment.
d. The outgoing NEX (RTI & LCI) meeting will be held on Saturday the 11th from 10am to 6 pm.
e. The COB part 2 & gala party will be held on Saturday the 11th from 8 pm onwards. This will be in the banquet hall. The event will have theme with a dress code and lots of entertainment.
f. The incoming NEX (RTI & LCI) will be held on Sunday the 12th between 10am & 6 pm.
6. What about the pre & post COB program?
a. The committee members will reach Goa on the 9th by 12 noon. There will be contributory dinner-optional on the 9th with all the delegates reaching a day in advance. It may be at the Hyatt or at Titos or elsewhere. Details will be sent by the 30th. A number of international delegates are reaching on the 9th.
b. A small number of delegates have already opted for the night stay on the 12th. We may have another contributory dinner. The delegates will leave on the 13th after breakfast.
c. The rate for those checking in on the 9th or staying back on the 12th will be the same amount of Rs. 6000 on Bed & breakfast basis.
7. What is the registration amount & the last date?
a. The registration amount is being maintained at the same level as in the past in spite of the event being spread over 2 nights. This is Rs. 1750 and shall include 2 dinners, entry to the COB, entertainment & other logistics.
b. The last date for registration is 30th June without the late fee of Rs. 750. The hotel is very strict with wanting to know the exact number of delegates attending the event at least 2 weeks in advance. We also have constraints with the number of delegates that could be accommodated in the hall; although it is the biggest resort convention hall in Goa. Please ensure that you register by sending in the form & the full amount of Rs. 1750 before the 30th June.
8. What are the convention Hotels, its rates & the last date for confirmation for accommodation?
a. Hyatt & Royal Orchid are the only 2 convention Hotels for this event. All the official events are happening only at the Hyatt. The rates are Rs. 6000 & 3000 per day on twin sharing basis inclusive of all taxes respectively. This includes bed & breakfast. You need to pair with your own colleague/partner in case you are attending the COB single. Ask the other Tabler not to pay for the room when he sends in his registration.
b. The distance between these 2 properties is 1.5 km on road and a 15 minutes’ walk along the beach.
c. You also have the choice of staying at any hotel of your choice. Refer any travel site for details. Try & stay close to the Hyatt which is located at Arossim beach, Cansaulim, south Goa. But, don’t fail to register before the 30th June.
d. There is no last date for the hotel confirmation. It is on first come basis. You are required to pay at least one day’s advance for confirmed reservation and the balance needs to be paid by the 30th June.
e. We have only blocked 100 rooms & 25 rooms at Hyatt & Royal orchid respectively. We shall stop taking any hotel advances after the rooms are full. Information about this will be sent thro mass mail, sms & to the existing NEX group. Thereafter, you will be required to make your own arrangements for stay.
9. What are costs for the children?
a. The registration costs for children up to 6 is free but no plates will be provided by the hotel as the accounting is based on ‘plate count’. Lets accept this fact.
b. The registration for children between 6 & 12 is Rs. 850 and shall include dinner for 2 nights.
c. The accommodation charges for children is Rs. 1500 at Hyatt. This will entitle an extra bed in the room. You could pay this on the spot. Please remember that the information of the extra bed is being provided to the hotel. In case, you fail to register in advance, the hotel will charge normal rates to your bill and the same will be much higher than the one that is offered to us.
d. The extra bed cost at Royal Orchid will be charged to room bills and the same can be paid at the time of check out. You could even avoid this if you don’t avail an extra bed. Negotiate with the staff at the time of check in. They wouldn’t charge if the child looks very young.
10. What about Lunch?
a. Lunch has always been optional at all COBs. It is the same here. The coupons will be sold for Rs. 500-600. The lunch is only made available on the 10th & 11th & 12th.
b. It will be made available for Rs. 300-350 for children up to 12 years.
c. There is no provision for lunch on the 9th & 13th by the committee. The delegates may make their own choice from Ala carte.
11. What about confirmation of accommodation for the 9th & 12th ?
a. Those who want to stay on the 9th or the 12th will have to intimate to us by the 15th June. The amount can be sent alongwith the 2nd instalment which is the 30th. In case you have already registered in full, then send in the intimation thro an email along with the balance amount by the 15th.
12. What are the transport, pick-up & drop facilities?
a. The pickup & drop arrangements will be made from & to the Airport and Margao railway station to the delegates staying at the 2 convention hotels. Please provide the arrival & departures details in the registration forms to avoid any last minutes requests & confusion.
b. Shuttle services are also available to those staying at the Royal orchid. We shall be providing one MUV/SUV to each group at Royal Orchid with drivers’ contact number so that the group could use the vehicle at their discretion; limited to & fro Hyatt .
c. Hyatt is 30 minutes from the airport & 45 minutes from the railway station.
13. Is there any sightseeing or games for children & delegates that are not part of the Nex during the day?
a. Half day free sightseeing is being held on the 11th from 10 am to 2 pm. This is open to the 1st 75 delegates assembling at the lobby. Contact Tr. Prashant Hebsur for participation & details
b. Games will be held at the poolside on the 11th between 11am & 4 pm. Contact Tr. Vijesh Saigal for details & participation.
14. Can I have the choice of the room at Hyatt?
a. We have blocked all the standard rooms at the hotel. Rooming list will be done, taking into consideration that Tablers from particular table stay in one block.
b. You could upgrade your room by paying the actual difference. Details on this will be sent later.
15. What are the facilities for the drivers?
a. Just outside the Hyatt gate, there are shacks & restaurants that also provide accommodation at modest price. Please make use of it.
16. What about crèche?
a. Hyatt has a well equipped crèche/play area for children. Crèche will be available on the 10th & 11th from 7pm to 3 am and the same will manned by maids. Crèche food (limited menu/unlimited quantity) will be available for children up to 6 years on FOC between 8pm-10 pm.
17. What are important dates to remember?
a. Accommodation at Hyatt & Royal orchid is on First come basis alongwith one day’s advance. This is limited to 1st 125 rooms.
b. 15th June: intimation for pre stay & post stay.
c. 30th June : final payment/ 2nd instalment towards accommodation at convention Hotels
d. 30th June: registration without late fee of Rs. 750.
e. 9/10th: spot registration with late fee of Rs. 750 & registration for children at regular rates.
18. Any concession for the Hosts, Committee members or Area X members?
a. Registration is mandatory for all the members. Please pay Rs. 1750 before the 30th of June.
b. Couple attending the COB are requested to reserve their rooms by paying in full.
c. Singles attending the COB can stay on triple sharing basis without additional cost.
d. We are looking at subsidising a part of the total room cost. Details will be sent later OR We are trying to provide Rooms ( Hyatt or royal Orchid) on fOC for one day to all committee members reaching Goa on the 9th by 12 noon.
e. Lunch coupons will be on FOC for committee members on all 3 days.
See you all at Goa!
Thanking you
With regards
Tr. Mohan Mankani & Cr. Sagri Handa
Convenors, COB 2009
Filed under: COB
