The Budget Savvy Bride
With the sagging economy and the average cost of a wedding estimated at $20,000 couples are worried about how they will pay for their big day. The wedding and honeymoon industry which up until now has been considered recession proof is feeling the pinch leaving many couples searching for less expensive alternatives and creative and do-it-yourself solutions.
As a result, venues, vendors and merchants are changing their mindset as well to come up with ideas and ways to add value to their product or service. The Holiday Inn University Blacksburg has a new concept for the budget savvy bride, a complete wedding package for $999
Having an inexpensive wedding does not make you a cheap skate, especially if finances don’t allow for a lavish one. If anything, budget weddings say that a couple is financially reasonable and that money is better suited for a down payment on a home. Weddings are just the beginning. Couples should be able to enjoy the wedding without the added stress of large debt they will be paying off for years to come.
Parent’s Key Club
The Holiday Inn Blacksburg has developed a program exclusively for parents of Virginia Tech Student’s, The Parent’s Key Club.
If you are a parent of a Hokie you will no doubt make many trips to Blacksburg over the course of your student’s education. For example there is moving your student in, Parent’s Weekend, home football games, and of course those just because visits.
As a program participant parents can make the most of their visit to Blacksburg with discounts on hotel rooms, catering and our restaurant, discounts for referring friends and family, discounts at local businesses, free catered tailgate during home football games, monthly newsletters with Blacksburg happenings and much more!
And of course the most important reason to come to town is your Hokie’s graduation. As part of the Parent’s Key Club we offer Graduation Guarantee. When graduation is announced hotels in Blacksburg typically sell out within an hour. With us you can avoid the hassle of the phone lottery and trying to get a reservation. We will guarantee you one.
Holiday Inn University-Blacksburg would like to welcome you to Virginia Tech and the Parent’s Key Club. If you have any questions please call our Front Desk at 540-552-7001 or email us at PKC@thevthotel.com
New Virginia Tech Visitor’s Center to be open in time for 2011 Orientation
Virginia Tech New Student Orientation will take place beginning July 11th. Two day sessions provide students and parents with the opportunity to meet other new Hokies, register for classes, and receive their Hokie Passport (student id), experience life in the residence halls and much more.
This year new Hokies and their families will be the first to experience the new visitor’s center. This signature building will establish a new, mo
re convenient, front door to campus. The new center will have dedicated space for information sessions, interactive displays showcasing different aspects of the university and a two-story atrium with views overlooking the Duckpond, Burruss, and Lane Stadium.
Day one of orientation begins with check in from 8-9:30am where incoming freshmen will begin by meeting 30 energetic Orientation Leaders who will guide them through the full two days ending at around 4:00 pm on the second day. Click here for a tentative schedule.
Things to Bring to Orientation
- YOUR STUDENT ID NUMBER!
- Official/unofficial copies of your transcripts, AP scores, and IB scores
- Driver’s license or international passport
- Walking shoes
- Comfortable Clothes including a sweater or sweatshirt
- Alarm Clock
- Fan
A complete orientation checklist is available here.
Parking
Expect lots of walking, as there is only one lot where attendees will be allowed to park, at the intersection of Southgate and Spring Road, without receiving a ticket. A shuttle bus will be offered on day 1 but day 2 attendees should be prepared with proper shoes and attire that fits the weather.
Lodging and Meals
Parents, your child is going to college, not you. Forget the on campus accommodations and meals, and come stay with us at the Holiday Inn University Blacksburg. We are conveniently located right across the street from campus and provide complimentary shuttle service to campus. Our newly renovated hotel boasts 42” flat panel tv’s, custom built Amish furniture, granite counter tops and more. For your meals, we offer room both room service, as well as a full service restaurant and after your long day at orientation come relax by our pool.
Best of all parents, the Holiday Inn Blacksburg offers something no other hotel in Blacksburg does!
Parents Key Club: Join and ear EXCLUSIVE benefits when you use your membership at our hotel.
Discounts on Hotel Rooms Catering and our Restaurant • Discounts for Referring Friends and Family• Earn Double Priority Club Points • Discounts at Participating Restaurants • Free Catered Tailgate During Home Football Games • Graduation Guarantee (earn a hotel room for graduation)* • Monthly Newsletter with Blacksburg Happenings • And Much More! Visit www.thevthotel.com/parentskeyclub to register, limited Memberships, for a full outline of eligibility and benefits email PKC@thevthotel.com. Only Available at Holiday Inn Blacksburg.
*Graduation Guarantee: Were you aware that that once graduation is announced our hotel along with others in the area, sells out in and hour. Bypass the hassle of the phone lottery for graduation reservations. If you are a parent with incoming Freshmen graduating in 2015. Stay with us 20-25 nights and we guarantee 1 room for graduation. Stay with us 26-30 nights and we guarantee 2 rooms for graduation. Graduation rates apply. For more information on the graduation guarantee call our Front Desk 540-552-7001.
Virginia Tech Graduation 2011
It’s that time again. The Virginia Tech Hokies are wrapping up finals this week preparing for this weekend’s graduation ceremony. Commencement is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. on May 13 in Cassell Coliseum. About 1,000 Virginia Tech graduate and professional students are expected to receive degrees at the ceremony.
Betty Chao, founder of Westech International, will give the keynote address for this year’s commencement ceremony. Chao established Westech in 1994 as a one-person technical consulting business. Headquartered in Albuquerque, N.M., today the company employs about 800 people and has revenues of about $75 million a year.
Finding Employment in a tough economy
Hiring levels for Virginia Tech graduates have remained relatively the same, according to a newly released study by career services. Stuart Mease,
director of undergraduate career services, noted student perceptions may not equate to the reality of the current job market. “Not all degrees have the same level of demand”.
The need is for students to develop skills outside of their particular major, comparing the job market to a game of Blackjack. “You never know what card is going to turn over,” says Mease. Six months after graduation, 21 percent of graduates are still seeking employment, while only 2 percent have not begun to seek employment.
Rachel Dobroth, a senior communication major and president of the Tech chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, said jobs were a major discussion among her group’s members. Dobroth, who is still looking for a job, said she usually stressed finding work through networking and not from standard job listings. “The jobs that are most meaningful are found through people and not through job listings,” Dobroth said.
Mease says, “There’s a myth out there if you have a degree, then a job is going to come calling,”That’s definitely not the case.” There are certainly different realities for students based on skill sets they have.
Regardless of future plans, we wish all of the 2011 graduates the best of luck in their future endeavors.
Sources: Roanoke Time, Collegiate Times
Lunch Pail Defense Foundation
The Lunch Pail Defense concept developed by Defensive Coordinator Bud Foster has made the Virginia Tech Hokies legendary. However, most people don’t know how it came about or what it stands for. Pulling from his upbringing in the coal mining areas of Illinois, Foster chose the steel pail as a symbol of the blue collar working-man’s ethic of the Hokie defensive team. The battered pail features the word “WIN” on the front, embodying Foster’s strategy for game play…and for life:
“’W-I-N’ – (What’s Important Now) To make change; to influence; to use this moment to be better than the last; to achieve greatness in all aspects of your life; win at home. Win at school. Win at business. Win at life.” The Lunch Pail Defense Foundation is committed to fulfilling its Scholarship Mission to award a need based academic scholarship to an eligible candidate that otherwise best meets the criteria as set forth in the Application materials below.
Join us on Saturday, April 23rd – 1st Annual Spring Pail Party
The Lunch Pail Defense Foundation invites you to the 1st Annual Spring Pail Party on April 23rd from 6-10pm at the Holiday Inn-Blacksburg (900 Price’s Fork Road in Blacksburg)! Coach Foster and a panel of VT All-Stars* will take part in an Interview by Will Stewart of TechSideLine.com and guests can participate in a Q & A session to follow. A VIP “After Party and Silent Auction” will follow with a limited number of tickets available. Proceeds will benefit the Lunch Pail Defense Foundation.
*Anticipated guests include: Macho Harris, D’Angelo Hall, Brandon Flowers, Justin Harper & Brenden Hill There are two ticket packages; so, click on the link below to get more info about the packets and to purchase your tickets: Click Here to buy tickets!
Hokie fans around the world revere the Lunch Pail as a symbol of Virginia Tech spirit, dedication, and commitment to excellence.
The VT Hotel 