Thursday October 24th to Sunday October 27th
After benvenuto a Milano 2022, it’s bienvenue à Paris 2024 !
Come meet up with Europe-based (and some Asia-based) Smithies in our beautiful City of Lights! Share, bond, see old friends, make new ones, and celebrate Smith solidarity and kinship.
Building on feedback from our Milan participants, we have put together a program that will give you lots of group “together” time as well as free time to bond, explore and enjoy the city.
Our reunion headquarters hotel is just north of the Marais district, in a young, vibrant, creative area of Paris. We have negotiated a special room price for the reunion (see below). Of course, you are free to stay anywhere you like!
Prior to heading to Paris, participants will receive an information booklet (PDF via email) with lots of practical information, the finalized program, ideas for things to do on your own, etc. We will also set up WhatsApp and Facebook groups for participants to communicate “on the ground”.
We hope that some of you will take advantage of the opt-in cultural activities as well. We’ll communicate them to you in the early spring.
SMITH IN EUROPE PARIS 2024
Image by wirestock on Freepik
DETAILED AGENDA
Thursday, October 24th
12:00 - 21:00 Reunion Sign-In (all participants): Les Jardins du Marais, 74, rue Amelot 75011 Paris
Whether you are staying at the Jardins du Marais or not, we ask that you come to sign in and receive your reunion badge and swag bag BEFORE the welcome cocktail.
18:30 - 20:00 Welcome Apéritif (all participants): Les Jardins du Marais 74, rue Amelot 75011 Paris
Participants are free to make their own dinner plans
Friday, October 25th
11:00 - 13:00 Opening meeting at Reid Hall (all participants): Main Conference Room, 4, rue de Chevreuse 75006 Paris
There will be refreshments and snacks! It will take you about 45 minutes to get from the Jardins du Marais to Reid Hall whether by métro or taxi. Please, be on time.
13:00 - 14:15 Meeting of Diploma Program alums with Jacqui DeFelice (For Diploma Program Alums only)
Attendees manage their own lunch plans
Afternoon: Opt-in activities (for those who have signed up and paid)
18:00-20:00 Cocktails with Smith Speakers (all participants): Reid Hall (Main Conference Room) 4, rue de Chevreuse 75006 Paris (with short talks by Susan Elbow '78 and Sarah Belal '01)
Attendees manage their own dinner plans
Saturday, October 26th
Morning/Afternoon: Opt-in activities (for those who have signed up and paid)
Attendees manage their own lunch plans
19:30 - 23:30 Gala Dinner: Halle aux Grains, Pinault Collection-Bourse du Commerce, 2, rue de Viarmes (rue du Louvre) 75001 Paris
The restaurant is on the 3rd floor of the Bourse du Commerce. You can access it to the left of the museum entrance. If you would like to visit the Pinault collection before dinner, you will need to reserve and the museum closes at 19:00, 30 minutes before our event.
Sunday, October 27th
10:30 – 12:30 Closing Meeting: Les Jardins du Marais (conference room to the lift at the end of the garden)
There will be sweet and savory snacks
GENERAL INFORMATION
Every 2 years, Europe-based Smithies organize a 3-day reunion (Thursday night to Sunday noon) in a different European city. The reunion traditionally includes an opening meeting, some group events (but not always), a gala dinner, and a closing meeting.
The weekend is 100% self-financing. Registration fees must cover 100% of the costs - organizers cannot cover expenses out of pocket.
We have planned group events throughout the reunion that will give people mixing, mingling and networking time and have left a bit of free time for exploring and sharing with new and old friends!
Bursaries are available upon request (100% confidential).
REGISTRATION FEE
€500 for graduates from classes of 2019-23
€550 for everyone else
(see Registration)
INCLUDED IN THE REGISTRATION FEE
• Welcome aperitif on Thursday at the reunion hotel: champagne, non-alcoholic drinks and hors d'œuvres
• Friday morning opening meeting at Reid Hall with refreshments and snacks: room rental and catering
• Friday late afternoon event with a Smith speaker, probably at the Embassy's Marshall Center: room rental, security and catering
• Saturday evening gala dinner at les Halles aux Grains: aperitif, three-course dinner, wine etc.
• Cost of the closing meeting at the reunion hotel with refreshments and snacks (if the budget permits, we'll serve small sandwiches and lunch/brunch-type food): room and audio-visual equipment rental plus catering
• Welcome package (swag, printed information booklet, etc.)
• Website, administrative expenses, minimal banking fees, and eventual on-the-ground assistance for the Friday morning and evening events
NOT INCLUDED IN THE REGISTRATION FEE
• Hotel accommodations (see below)
• Transportation
• Personal expenses
REUNION HQ HOTEL
74 Rue Amelot 75011 Paris
If you choose to stay at the Les Jardins du Marais, our reunion hotel, you can benefit from negotiated room rates for reservations made before May 31st. (see below) You are by no means obliged to stay there.
Negotiated rates:
· Double room single occupancy: €350/night including breakfast (+ €3.13 tourist tax per person per night)
· Double occupancy: €370 € /night including breakfast (+ €3.13 tourist tax per person per night)
*Our rates apply to reservations for 3 nights from Thursday October 24th through Sunday, October 27th , 2024. You will need to indicate those dates. If you plan to stay longer, let us know, the hotel may be able to extend the rate for longer stays.
** Please note these rates were available for reservations made before midnight on May 31st 2024