E v E n t P l a n n E r ’ s G u i d E

Imagine a ship that once embarked on a 47-year odyssey, an odyssey that began one week after the end of World War II and ended with the liberation of Kuwait in 1991. An odyssey that carried that ship

into the crosscurrents of nearly every international crisis in the latter half of the twentieth century. An odyssey shared by 225,000 American sailors, most of them only a year or two out of high school.

Now imagine holding your event aboard that ship, the USS Midway – the longest serving U.S. Navy aircraft carrier of the twentieth century.

The USS Midway, now the most visited floating naval ship museum in the world, offers you the opportunity to create a lifelong memory for your guests – most of whom have never stepped foot on an aircraft carrier, much less one of the most famous carriers in U.S. Navy history.

Opened as a museum in mid-2004, Midway already has been named Event Site of the Year in a national poll of meeting planners conducted by Event Solutions magazine. A living piece of American history, coupled with flexibility as an event venue and an unparalleled location in San Diego, make Midway the best choice for your event. Welcome aboard!

welcome aboard the

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B r E at h ta k i n G

location

The Midway Museum is located on the “front porch” of San Diego’s revitalized downtown. The Midway Museum is less than two miles from the airport and most airline passengers actually see Midway in

San Diego Bay just before landing. Midway is also less than one mile from San Diego’s expanded Convention Center. Oftentimes, Convention Center attendees walk over to Midway for a function or to explore on their own. The museum is also only three blocks from Amtrak’s downtown station and the city’s downtown trolley station.

Midway is permanently berthed alongside the historic Navy Pier at 910 North Harbor Drive. The vibrant Gaslamp District, North Embarcadero, San Diego Zoo, Petco ballpark, and Balboa Park are all less than ten minutes from the carrier. Midway’s flight deck also features an unmatched 360-degree view of San Diego’s sparkling skyline, Coronado Island, and San Diego Bay’s bridge. No other venue offers such a panoramic setting for a one-of-a-kind private event.

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uniquelys a n d i E G o

For locals and visitors alike, San Diego is “Navy Town, USA.” More than 100 years ago, San Diego was little more than a U.S. Navy outpost. Over the

years, the Navy presence developed to the point that San Diego became the largest home port to U.S. Navy ships in the world.

Today, dozens of Navy ships call San Diego home, including the aircraft carriers USS Ronald Reagan and USS Nimitz, berthed only about a quarter mile straight off Midway’s bow.

The Midway Museum is the only way event attendees can truly experience this unique aspect of San Diego – aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier.

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ava i l a B l E E v E n tvenues

There are no traditional ballrooms or convention center concourses aboard the USS Midway. Unique event space aboard Midway includes:

FLIGHT DECK: Four acres outdoors with a usable primary event space of 50,000 square feet, surrounded by meticulously restored airplanes and helicopters. Capacity: 3,500 guests.

HANGAR DECK: Comprised of two sections (called “bays”) indoors totaling approximately 25,000 useable square feet. Capacity: 800 for sit-down banquet; 1,500 for a reception.

FANTAIL SPONSON: Covered patio-style deck overlooking the water, perfect for a continental breakfast, box lunch, happy hour, or dinner. Capacity: 75 guests.

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Midway’s unique character lends itself to event creativity and a variety of themes that create lifelong memories for attendees.

Themes can include:

•USO-styleshows

•Portsofcall(TheUSSMidwaysailedineveryoceanexcept the Antarctic)

•1940sswing/big-bandera

•“You’reintheNavynow!”

•Elegant,blacktieatsunset

•M*A*S*Hdécor

•SteelBeach(mimickingtheNavytraditionofperiodicallyholding a massive picnic on the flight deck with BBQs, fun games, and team-based contests)

Midway’s staff can provide a great deal of historic and contextual background for these and other themes, relating each to the amazing history of the USS Midway.

More than 350 parking spaces (paid by event guests) are available on Navy Pier, immediately adjacent to the ship. Staging areas are conveniently located nearby for buses. Elevator access from Navy Pier to the hangar deck and the flight deck is also available.

E v E n t options

M idway features an unusual combination of spectacular outdoor space on the flight deck and large “indoor” space on the hangar

deck. Evening functions may begin at 6:30 p.m. and entertainment must end at 10 p.m. on the flight deck (noise regulations), or by 12 a.m. on the hangar deck.

San Diego’s enviable weather enables groups to hold their entire function on the flight deck, taking advantage of radiant sunsets and the awakening of the city’s night skyline. As another option, some groups prefer to hold their reception/cocktail party on the flight deck andthen adjourn to the hangar deck for an indoor dinner and entertainment.

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Your event could be held in a ballroom or it could be held in the middle of an historic aircraft carrier that comes alive with

optional activities that create lifelong memories for your guests. Subject to availability and other policies, some of the most popular Midway event enhancements include:

•Midway’spopularstorytellingdocents(tourguides) can provide a unique dimension of Midway history and Midway as a city at sea, as they host event guests in specific areas in the ship, e.g., berthing, the bridge, sick bay, flight deck, admiral’s and captain’s quarters, and engine room.

•Imaginedazzlingyourattendeeswithfireworks erupting from Midway’s bow.

•Midwayoffersarivetingguestspeaker,ScottMcGaugh, who is the author of two books on Midway’s remarkable history and is the museum’s director of marketing.

•Acaptivatinghardcoverbook,Midway Memories (a photo collection), can be purchased at a discount for your guests and signed by the author. A great way to extend the impact of your event.

•Themuseum’sgiftshopandflightsimulatorsalso can be made available to your guests.

•Wecanofferyourguestsaphotoopportunityinside a real jet aircraft.

•Ourmarketingstaffalsohaspromotionalresources for meeting planners, including an extensive digitized Midway photo collection.

u n i q u E dimensions

o f E v E n t s o n M i d w ay

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The Midway Museum is San Diego’s most popular event venue with reservations being requested as far as three years in advance. As a result, we’ve developed a detailed approach

to working with you on your preferred date(s).

Group sales will hold space from a phone or e-mail inquiry for two weeks as a “tentative hold.” If a site visit is desired, the hold will be extended two additional weeks after the site visit unless we receive a “push request” from a second-option hold. In that event, we give the first option four working days to commit and secure a hold with a 50% deposit. In the absence of a push, the client will be asked at the end of two weeks to secure the hold by receiving a contract from the museum. A 50% deposit then will be required within two weeks of issuing the contract. Once the deposit is received, the space hold is definite.

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Once a date has gone “definite” with a contract, a Midway event manager is assigned to the event and its planner. Broad-based planning begins almost immediately as our event manager will suggest different options depending upon the type, size, and nature of the event. As a

result of hosting more than 250 events annually, Midway’s event staff has a wealth of expertise and experience to offer every meeting planner.

At 30 days in advance of the event, the general parameters, logistical considerations, and optional activities should be finalized. Event diagrams are due three weeks in advance of the event. Every Midway event planner is entitled to register for and utilize Midway’s online Meeting Matrix™ event planning guide. Ship event dimensions have been incorporated into the Meeting Matrix™ software so that planners can plot footprint and event-flow options with precise detail.

At 10 working days prior to the event, the final 50% of the deposit is due. The attendance guarantee is required 72 hours in advance of the event and post-event billing then reconciles deposits paid, actual costs, and the balance due.

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Not many caterers have the expertise and experience to serve a quality event aboard a World War II-era aircraft carrier. Midway’s logistical considerations of loading, setup, catering, and breakdown are very different from conventional meeting sites.

Therefore, the museum has carefully screened and approved 11 San Diego-based caterers, all with extensive experience and a proven track record in events of all sizes and types. They provide a complete range of catering services and culinary options; some are showcased in this brochure. For a complete list with contact information, visit www.midway.org or contact the museum’s sales department for a copy of our policies and procedures. Beverage service is contracted separately and must go through the museum’s beverage office.

f o o d & B E v E r a G E

The following equipment and supplies are available directly from the museum:

•Varietyoftablesandchairs(upto1,000)

•Dancefloor

•Rollingstagingupto24'by32' (24" or 32" high) with skirting and stairs

•Public-addresssystemsuitableupto400people, based on event setup

o t h E r s u P P l i E s& v E n d o r sIn addition, the museum provides a list of specialists available to event planners in areas that include:

•Audiovisual-Lighting-Buses/Charters

•Linen-ColorGuard-MedicalServices

•Crane&Rigging-Photography-Trash/WaterRemoval

•Entertainment-Security-Fireworks

•Skydivers-Floral-Staging

•HelicopterServices-Décor-Rentals(equipment,décor)

Photo above and to the right © Culinary Concepts

The Midway sales department has additional information available. Our policies and procedures kit addresses the details of event planning and execution.

USS Midway Museum910 N. Harbor Drive

San Diego, California 92101www.midway.org

(619) 398-8207 Sales Offices(619) 544-0173 Sales Fax

n E x t s t E P s

10 InsIder TIps for a once-In-a-lIfeTIme evenT

•Bookandsecureadateassoonaspossible,givenMidway’spopularity.

•Anearlysitevisitishighlyrecommended,givenMidway’suniquecharacterandpotentialforeventcreativity.

•Eventattendancetypicallyishigherthanthenorm,giventheopportunitytovisitanhistoricaircraftcarrier.

•DocentsandaMidwaystorytellingspeakerbringthevenuetolifefor yourguests.

•Tailortheflavoroftheeventtothisuniquevenue.Optforatoneofadventureandexplorationoveramoreformalstyle.

•Giventheleadtimeofsomeeventreservations,pleaseunderstandaircraftandexhibitlayoutissubjecttochange.

•AhelicopterlandingwiththeCEO,otherdignitaries,orcelebritylook-alikescanbeamajorcrowdpleaser.

•Similarly,attendeesenjoywatchingskydiverslandontheflightdeck.

•EventsaboardMidwaybecomelifelongmemoriesforattendeeswhentheyreceiveauniquepartyfavor:thepictorialMidway Memoriesbook.

•Don’toverlookMidway’sresourcesineventpromotionalmaterials.

P l a n n i n G G u i d E

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lsWe thank the following companies for their ongoing support of the

Midway and for their contribution to this publication. Please contact the sales department for a complete list of industry partners.

accommodaTIonsManchesterGrand HyattSanDiego619.232.1234www.manchestergrand .hyattcatering.comAdvertisement on page 23

SanDiegoMarriott Hotel&Marina619.234.1500www.marriott.com/sandtAdvertisement on page 35

SheratonSanDiego Hotel&Marina619.692.2730www.sheraton.com/sandiegomarinaAdvertisement on page 38

aUdIovIsUalTheALLSTARGroup858.689.1441www.thecorporateevent production.comAdvertisement on page 26

BollottaEntertainment619.295.3522www.bollotta.comAdvertisement on page 39

CAkES&DESSERTSTheFrenchGourmet800.929.1984www.thefrenchgourmet.comAdvertisement on page 32

CATERINGBehindtheScenes,Inc.858.638.1400www.btscenes.comAdvertisement on page 25

BehindtheScenesInc., FantailCafé619.398.8215www.fantailcafe.comAdvertisement on page 34

CarriageTradeCatering &EventPlanning858.621.5151www.carriagetrade-catering.comAdvertisement on page 31

ContinentalCatering619.698.3500www.continentalcateringsd.comAdvertisement on page 38

CATERING(cont’d.)CrownPointCatering619.223.1211www.crownpointcatering.comAdvertisement on page 37

CulinaryConcepts888.547.1885www.cateringspecialist.comAdvertisement on page 27

FestivitiesCatering &SpecialEvents858.586.2121www.festivitiescatering.comAdvertisement on page 41

TheFrenchGourmet800.929.1984www.thefrenchgourmet.comAdvertisement on page 32

ManchesterGrand HyattSanDiego619.232.1234www.manchestergrand .hyattcatering.comAdvertisement on page 23

PeartreesCatering,Inc.619.575.5500www.peartreescatering.comAdvertisement on back cover

SanDiegoMarriott Hotel&Marina619.234.1500www.marriott.com/sandtAdvertisement on page 35

SheratonSanDiego Hotel&Marina619.692.2730www.sheraton.com/sandiegomarinaAdvertisement on page 38

desTInaTIon MANAGEMENTTheEventTeam888.383.6888www.eventteam.comAdvertisement on page 32

PRADestinationManagement619.234.9440www.pra.comAdvertisement on page 28

enTerTaInmenT TheBaytownBand760.481.4812www.baytownband.comAdvertisement on page 26

BollottaEntertainment619.295.3522www.bollotta.comAdvertisement on page 39

CorporateHelicopters858.505.5650www.corporatehelicopters.comAdvertisement on page 40

EntertainmentatLarge858.565.8600www.djmikehogan.comAdvertisement on page 24

JewellEntertainment619.303.1867www.jewellentertainment.comAdvertisement on page 30

MusicAsYou LikeItProductions619.223.5732www.musicasyoulikeit.comAdvertisement on page 36

NRGMusicandProductions888.849.6417www.nrgband.comAdvertisement on page 33

SensationShowband760.436.4389www.sensationshowband.comAdvertisement on page 29

EVENTDECOR&DESIGNTheALLSTARGroup858.689.1441www.thecorporateevent production.comAdvertisement on page 26

FestivitiesCatering &SpecialEvents858.586.2121www.festivitiescatering.comAdvertisement on page 41

MetroFloral/ PeggiWalkerDesigns619.282.2300www.peggiwalker.comAdvertisement on page 24

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s This brochure was produced by Hawthorn Publications–developers of powerful print and online media packages for the catering and event industry. No portion may be reproduced or distributed without written permission. www.hawthornpublications.com © 2009

This brochure was printed on 10% recycled paper.

EVENTDECOR&DESIGN (cont’d.)PacificEventProductions888.458.9908www.pacificevents.comAdvertisement on page 42

EVENTMANAGEMENTDestinationConcepts,Inc.800.272.3775www.destinationconcepts.comAdvertisement on page 24

EVENTPLANNINGBehindtheScenes,Inc.858.638.1400www.btscenes.comAdvertisement on page 25

CarriageTradeCatering &EventPlanning858.621.5151www.carriagetrade-catering.comAdvertisement on page 31

TheEventTeam888.383.6888www.eventteam.comAdvertisement on page 32

ManchesterGrand HyattSanDiego619.232.1234www.manchestergrand .hyattcatering.comAdvertisement on page 23

PeartreesCatering,Inc.619.575.5500www.peartreescatering.comAdvertisement on back cover

PRADestinationManagement619.234.9440www.pra.comAdvertisement on page 28

EVENTPLANNING(cont’d.)WhiteLotusProductions858.751.0408www.whitelotuspro.comAdvertisement on page 36

FIREWORkSFireworksAmerica800.464.7976Advertisement on page 28

PyroSpectaculars800.624.9360www.pyrospectaculars.comAdvertisement on page 34

florIsTsMetroFloral/ PeggiWalkerDesigns619.282.2300www.peggiwalker.comAdvertisement on page 24

MissionHillsFlorist619.291.3611www.missionhillsflorist.comAdvertisement on page 38

WhiteLotusProductions858.751.0408www.whitelotuspro.comAdvertisement on page 36

LIGHTINGSearchlightsofSanDiego619.442.9700www.searchlightsof sandiego.comAdvertisement on page 26

LINENS&CHAIRCOVERSRaphael’sPartyRentals858.689.7368www.raphaels.comAdvertisement on page 36

PHOTOGRAPHYJackSmithPhotography619.216.6050www.jacksmithphoto.comAdvertisement on page 28

renTal eQUIpmenTAbbeyPartyRents888.552.2239www.abbeypartyrentals.comAdvertisement on page 38

BrudvikInc.RentalDivision760.250.1351Advertisement on page 30

ClassicPartyRentals858.496.9700www.classicpartyrentals.comAdvertisement on page 24

kleegeIndustries800.995.5822www.kleegeindustries.comAdvertisement on page 30

MSIProductionServices858.348.0626www.msiprod.comAdvertisement on page 36

Raphael’sPartyRentals858.689.7368www.raphaels.comAdvertisement on page 36

Spanky’sPortableServices,Inc.760.476.0466www.spankysps.comAdvertisement on page 28

WEDDINGRESOURCEElegalawww.elegala.comAdvertisement on page 32

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USS Midway MUSeUM

910 N. Harbor Drive San Diego, California 92101

www.midway.org 619.398.8207