Janet Darrow and Tony Armand truly went the extra mile to ensure everyone had an amazing experience at this year’s Getaway in Long Beach, California. Each day, we were greeted with sunny skies and stunning views.
Thursday evening’s welcome dinner at The Reef Restaurant embraced a Hawaiian theme, with everyone dressed in their best island-inspired attire. An hour of complimentary drinks set the stage for FAUSA members to reconnect with old friends and warmly welcome new faces, creating a lively and friendly atmosphere.
Friday began with an eye-opening boat tour of the bustling Long Beach port, where an astounding 4 million containers are processed annually. The sheer scale and logistics were mind-boggling. From there, we boarded the iconic big red bus, along with an overflow black bus, for a tour of Long Beach led by Art Deco expert John Thomas.
In 1933, a devastating earthquake ravaged the city, destroying many buildings, including schools and the main hospital. During the rebuilding efforts, the Art Deco style, which was then in vogue, shaped much of the reconstruction, and many of these beautifully restored buildings still stand today.
After a leisurely lunch, we visited Rancho Los Alamitos, a historic ranch and garden. The early 19th-century adobe ranch house, now a museum, offers a glimpse into the area’s rich history. The day concluded with an optional gondola tour through the scenic canals of Naples Island, adding a charming and serene finale to an eventful day.
Saturday morning's Annual General Meeting featured Tyler Bonanno-Curley, Deputy City Manager for Long Beach and Co-chair of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics in Long Beach, as the guest speaker. He provided fascinating insights into the city's preparations to host Olympic and Paralympic events.
The meeting concluded with the exciting announcement of next year’s Annual Meeting and Getaway, which will take place in Milwaukee from October 9 to 12, 2025. We will be celebrating FAUSA’s 25th Anniversary in Milwaukee, so be sure to add the dates to your calendar to help us cheer the first 25 years of FAUSA!
It was a truly memorable and impactful weekend.
