Garvin O’Neil General Manager

Fall 2015

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It’s been another great year at Moody Gardens! Business has been booming, thanks to all of you. We

had the pleasure to see all of your smiling

Dear Friends,Two weeks

ago, in the middle of a very busy summer season, we placed our Ice Land/Festival of

Lights sign at the entry of Moody Gardens with a countdown banner showing the number of days until the opening of this year’s exciting holiday activities. It was a bit disconcerting seeing that there were only 120 days until November’s grand re-opening of our highly celebrated Christmas exhibits (many days closer as you read this letter). Also interesting to note is the fact that our ice manufacturer has been making specialized colored ice blocks since April in order to have the quantity necessary to build this unique and stunning exhibit. I must admit that the summer heat has me longing to be chilled again!

Many years ago, Moody Gardens joined with the tourism businesses on the island to establish Galveston Island as Texas’ top holiday destination, transforming December from the year’s slowest month, to one of the most visited months of the year. Moody Gardens leads the Christmas festivities with our Festival of Lights, Ice Land and Curt Miller’s Magical Christmas Dinner and Show. The city has responded by enhancing the wonderful Dickins on the Strand weekend and the many holiday events in the downtown Strand District along with a full complement of holiday shows and concerts at the Grand Opera House. Galveston Island is now a part of the region’s top holiday entertainment and family traditions across the state.

As we say farewell to a busy and successful summer, we are already making ready for our new favorite time of year here at Moody Gardens…Thanksgiving and Christmas. We hope to see you this holiday season and if you want to know how many days until we say hello to the holidays, just check out our sign at the entrance of Moody Gardens.

Cheers,

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Life is Goodin the Gardens…

We started off the year with a bang and it’s been nonstop. We used to have slow months but that is a thing of the past. Some-times we have to remember to just breathe.

January always starts off with the Cheer Power Cash Bash. Regina Symons runs a tight ship and handles 10,000 cheerleaders and family members with ease. She’s back every year in March and April. She’s a superwoman to us. We love you Regina!

Duro-Last Roofing was here to get away from the blistery north-ern winter – they were amazed how fast our staff could turn a room in the Convention Center. It was their first meeting with us; hopefully they will be back.

Penwell is one of our largest supporters; booking many meet-ings a year with us…we love you Kay Baker.

SETA is awesome too; we love serving you.

American National Insur-

ance Company is always here every year for their Professional Seminar; it’s a huge meeting selling out the hotel for 5 days. Michelle Hardy is amazing to work with, cool, calm and col-lected; wish all of our planners were like you!

Mike Hodges and Ed Ster-ling are amazing; we love host-ing Texas Press Association every other year. Thank you for being you.

Baylor College of Medicine is here every year too with a nice January meeting. Thank you Lisa!

Jamie and Doris Kraft are delightful; we love hosting their January meeting. They are always smiling and grateful. We love you!

Mike Wisko, the Fire Chief of Galveston, is one of our larg-est supporters always trying to send business our way. Thank you Mike for bringing State Fireman and Fire Marshal’s

Association of Texas to Moody Gardens in January and June. We love you Mike Wisko! Chris and Gabi were great to work with too!

February is always crazy busy too. Renee Smith brings another 10,000 cheerleaders and their families with United Cheer to start off the month. Thank you Renee!

We got to serve Texas Counseling Association with 1,000 school counselors. Thank you Jennifer. Sorry we didn’t have space in 2016 but 2017 will be here before you know it.

Jack and Helen Dail were here with SWARS. We love working with you and can’t wait till you come back.

Abby Odneal and Dottie Smith, with Gas Compressor Association are here every year too. We love you! If everyone could be as organized as you,

faces and the privilege to serve you. Your love and support sustains us on so many levels. Thank you. We are honored to call you friends.

Enjoy a Magical Getaway… At the magnificent 428-room Moody Gardens Hotel nestled among 242 acres of lush tropical garden landscaping. We have put together the following special packages which include taxes and gratuities based on a nightly rate. For more information call 888-388-8484.

Island Getaways

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Sunday- Thursday rates starting at $239.00 plus taxFriday & Saturday rates starting at $299.00 plus tax

Romantic EscapePackage includes a luxuri-

ous room for two, a bottle of Champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, a rose, $40 resort credit (can be applied toward breakfast at Café In the Park or Room Service), complimentary valet parking and complimenta-ry yoga (yoga offered Saturday and Sunday).

Bed & Breakfast for Two

Package Includes a luxurious room for one night, and $40 Resort Credit (can be applied toward breakfast Café in the Park or Room Service), complimentary valet parking, and complimentary yoga (yoga offered Saturday and Sunday).

Explore Moody Gardens

Package includes a luxuri-ous room and two day passes to the exciting Moody Gar-dens Attractions. Including the 3D Theater, 4D Theater, Rainforest Pyramid, Discovery Museum, Aquarium Pyramid, Colonel Paddlewheel Boat and Palm Beach (seasonal) and complimentary valet parking. Zip line and Ropes course are additional.

Stay and Play Golf Package

Package includes a luxurious room, a round of Golf at The Moody Gardens Golf Course (Per Person), a golf cart and a bucket of range balls. Some blackout dates may apply. Tee times can be booked 45 days in advance.

ICELAND Ice Sculptures PackagesNovember 15, 2015-January 10, 2016

Couples Package: Includes a luxurious room for one night, two Adult tickets to ICELAND, two Festival of Lights Tickets, a $40 resort credit and valet parking.Family Package: Includes a luxurious room for one night, two adult & two Children’s (4-12) tickets to ICELAND, four tickets Festival of Lights, a $40 resort

too. You keep us on our toes but in such a delightful manner!

Michael Currie, we enjoyed working with you too and look forward to seeing you again next summer.

We love you Shirley Duble! It’s the first time we had our lawn mowed for free.

George Allen and Donna Harbers were back for their sum-mer board meeting. They said it was their highest attendance yet. I hear George is retiring in De-cember…how can it be? I have known him since I was 24!

Leesa Teel, we love that you are back at Moody Gardens with your meetings. It’s always fun to hear your great stories of traveling abroad that we only get to dream about.

Greg Dunn, we appreci-ate the business you send our way every August. We will miss

credit, two holiday plushies at check-in and a special children’s turndown with Christmas stocking and complimentary valet parking.

A Magical Christmas Dinner Show PackagesDecember 17, 2015 - December 27,2015

Couples Package: Includes a luxurious room for two, two adult tickets to the Festival of lights, Magical Christmas Dinner Show and complimentary valet parking.

Family Package: Includes a luxurious room for four, four tickets to the Festival of Lights and two adult and two children’s tickets to A Magical Christmas, two holiday plushies at check-in, special children’s turndown with Christmas stocking and compli-mentary valet parking.

working with you.UT Law School has been

here every year since the hotel opened too. We appreciate the business you send our way!

Jim DeMartini, I look forward to September for your first meet-ing with us. It will be good!

We love you Sean and La-Donna. We know your meeting will grow with both of you at the helm.

We love all of our friends with Texas Association of Counties. Jay Johnson, Michele Ewerz, Michele Mund, Ashley Royer, Tracy Seiler. Thank you for all the business you send our way.

Debbie Sundberg, it’s a good thing you have your meeting booked here; how else will I get to see you… our lives have become way too complicated. Love you!

Chris Tine, it was great

working with you on Corvette’s Cruising to Galveston… I can’t wait until next summer… the parking lot was amazing!

We love you Lonne, Kim and Laverne with TML…can’t wait to see you soon!

We love you Paula, Jeff, Lisa and Tom with Horizon Meet-ings! Life would not be the same without TXPRIMA and I am so excited that we get to work with Deanna with TSHSP. It will be here before you know it.

We love you Sara Chapman! We can’t wait to see the art around the hotel this year!

The list could go on forever showing gratitude to all of our wonderful clients. We thank you for your friendship, loyalty and business you send our way. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Hugs,Jamie

Life is Good...Continued from page 1

life would be easy.UTMB is one of our largest

supporters too. Thank you Michele, Julie, Amanda and Diana. We love working with you!

Marlea and Paul Orlowski with Refcomm are awesome too. Thank you for letting us serve you every year and being amazing to work with. I love that we are contracted through 2023.

We love you Wayne Oswald and Melissa Saulter! It’s a privi-lege to serve you every May with HBR.

Shari Noonan was here with Texas Medical Association. We love you, Shari.

We always know when it’s the first week of June…that means Texas Chemical Council is here with Hector, Robert, Tesa, Ruthie and Angela. They have been here every year since the hotel opened. We love working with you!

Lisa Henley, the best dressed person I know, was here with Texas Water Conservation As-sociation. We love you Lisa!

Thank you Brannon Jahnke, Chris Torsey and Chelsea Hum-prhies for all business you send our way. We love working with SPE.

Ed and Nan Boles made the first week of July for us with Showstoppers. We love you Ed and Nan!

Dawn Langlinais with SMRI graced us with her presence too. We can’t wait till your conference is here so we can see you for a few days and laugh.

Working with Tim Niedecken with Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association was a dream. He’s one of the nicest people I know; a true southern gentlemen.

Ray Leloup and Tommy Lambright continually brighten our lives with the Shriner’s Board of Governors and the Royal Order of Jesters. Their commitment to the Shriners Burns Hospital for Children is inspiring.

We love State Bar of Texas! July wouldn’t be the same with-out Merianne and Pat being here for State Bar Summer School. We love Kanice and Julie too!

Bill Eden and Sharon Cham-pagne with United Association was back again. We love you.

Marsha Meier, we love you! You are always a joy to work with.

Linda Bryant, we love you

Rainforest PyramidExperience life as you visit the rainforests of Asia, Africa and The Americas. Enjoy a rare, up-close and interactive experience with endangered plants and animals ranging from giant Amazon River otters to saki monkeys and Chinese alligators. See it all in one of the truest replicas of a real rainforest.

Aquarium Pyramid(Closed until November 13, 2015 as part 1 of a $27 million renovation.)Aquarium Pyramid guests can look forward to a fun and awe inspiring experience with conservation messages highlighting the importance of the oceans. Uponcompletion, there will be a variety of new exhibits including the addition of jellyfish and tropical penguins. Visit www.moodygardens.org for details. 1

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Moody Gardens is the perfect place to indulge in shrieks and treats

and bask in the warm glow of holiday lights. With so much planned in October, November and December, guests will have a plethora of events to choose from during the holiday months.

On October 25, bring the ghosts and zombies to Ghostly Gardens. The spooktacular event offers costume contests, creepy crafts and trick-or-treating stands at various locations across the property.

On November 14, Festival of Lights kicks off the holiday season on the island with Santa parachuting into Moody Gardens. Go snow tubing on the Arctic Ice Slide or take a walk through the winter wonderland and see more than one million lights brighten-ing up holiday spirits.

ICE LAND Ice Sculptures also opens on November 14. See more than 2 million pounds of ice carved and colored to celebrate the holidays. Chilled and held at a temperature of 9 degrees, guests can witness these works of art within a 28,000 sq. ft. insulated tent structure located on the property. Admission to the exhibition is $26.95 for adults,

Enjoy the Perky Pumpkin Facial with pumpkin extracts that

deliver antioxidants, enzymes and more than 100 other beneficial nutrients which help reduce the signs of anti-aging. The cleaning, exfoliation, steam treatment with extractions, toning, pumpkin mask and moisturizing treatment is available for $95 and is 1 hour.

Feel calm with the Calming Cranberry Facial. Cranberry has been known to moisturize and eliminate dead skin cells, to leave you with nourished and vibrant skin. The hour long facial offers cleaning, exfoliation, steam treatment with extractions, ton-ing, cranberry mask and moistur-izing treatment for $95.

Put your best foot forward with our Pumpkin Berry Foot-prints. Fall into a pumpkin soak and cranberry scrub pedicure. The pumpkin scent will relax your mind and the cranberry will soothe your senses. Soak, scrub, nail grooming, moisturizing, and polish costs $60 for the 1 hour long treatment.

Relax in a Fall Fizz and take a deep breath in and melt away into a hydrotherapy soak with pumpkin ingredients meant to relax muscles, soothe tension and benefit the skin. Our hy-drotherapy tubs have 148 jets that will massage the body with a pumpkin scent. The 20 minute soak is available for $45.

Celebrate the Fall and Welcome Winter at Moody Gardens!$21.95 for seniors and $15.95 for children.

Food Drive Fridays of-fer the opportunity to enjoy the Festival of Lights and get a special discount to help those in need this holiday season. Bring a non-perishable food item every Friday throughout the Festival and receive a two-for-one Festi-val admission. The food will be donated to the Galveston County and Houston Food Banks.

Festival of Lights is open every day starting November 14 - January 10. Admission is $10.95. Tickets to other attractions are available for just $7.00 each with a FOL ticket. Special rates are available for groups of 20 or more.

Complete your holiday

Garden Overview

MG 3D TheaterEnjoy the largest screen in Texas and the world’s first 4K 3D giant screen 6-Primary laser projection system. Audiences will now see films on the new 60x80 foot white screen, with vibrant colors and new 3D glasses technology.

4D Special FX TheaterExperience life and engage all of your senses! 3D projection, audio and show control systems along with wind, seat sensors, leg ticklers, scent, misters and snow put you in the action. With SFX lighting and DTS surround sound provide a hi-definition experience that is a thrill for all.

Colonel Paddlewheel BoatIt is anchors away on a hour-long cruise on our Colonel Paddlewheel Boat! See the entire Moody Gardens property and enjoy the sights and sounds of Offats Bayou aboard the replica of an 1800s paddlewheel boat. Dinner and private cruises are available for groups of 65 or more (weather permitting).

Ropes Course and Zip LineChallenge your agility, balance and strength as you encounter the five-tier Sky Trail Ropes Course. Take it to a new level with a round-trip on the Zip Line.

Palm BeachFrolic in Galveston’s only white sand beach. Enjoy the lazy river, wave pool and tower slides. Sink your toes into white sand with palm trees, freshwater lagoons, splash pad, volleyball courts, aquatic playground and more! Open seasonally.

Tropical GardensMoody Gardens offers a variety of botanical experiences with more than 25 acres of indoor and outdoor gardens. Experience the beauty of a butterfly garden in full bloom. Hundreds of colorful subtropical blossoms and foliage await to excite the senses, including one of the nation’s largest Oleander collections.

pumpkin scent. The 20 minute soak is available for $45.

shopping over Thanksgiving Weekend at the Moody Gardens Convention Center. The Home for the Holidays Gift Market features more than 100 of the region’s most unique gift vendors. Choose from home décor, candles, specialty foods, accessories and much more.

Relax on the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat sailing on Offats Bayou, go underwater in the Aquarium Pyramid, trek through the Rainforest Pyramid, or experience science up-close in the Discovery Pyramid. Enjoy these attractions for just $7 per attraction from 6 - 10 pm with your Festival of Lights ticket after 4:30 pm.

Berry Relaxing Pumpkin Specials at the Spa!

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Calendar of Events NoW SHoWING AT THE MG 3D THEATERNow-November 13Great White Shark 3DSecret Ocean 3DHumpback Whales 3D

Great White Shark 3DMisrepresented, maligned and misunderstood, the Great White Shark is an iconic predator: the creature we love to fear. Great White Shark 3D will explore the Great White’s place in our imaginations, in our fears, and in the reality of its role at the top of the oceanic food chain. See the Great White through the eyes of people who swim with sharks.

Secret ocean 3DJean-Michel Cousteau, alongside marine biologist Holly Lohuis, invites audiences to dive into this whole new world that will leave audiences in awe of the beauty and diversity of the oceans – the source of all life on our planet – and inspire an even stronger desire to protect what they have either seen for the first time, or perhaps re-discovered.

Humpback Whales 3DHumpback Whales 3d Join a team of researchers as they unlock the secrets of the humpback and find out why humpbacks are the most acrobatic of all whales, why they sing their haunting songs, and why these intelligent 55-foot, 50-ton animals migrate up to 10,000 miles round-trip every year.Now Showing at the MG 4D Special FX Theater

RIo 4D ExperienceWhen the last blue macaws on Earth, Blu and Jewel, are captured by a gang of greedy bird smugglers, they must work together despite Blu’s inability to fly. Join them as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime that has them dodging beach balls, umbrellas, carnival floats, and beach-goers as they try to escape the claws of evil cockatoo Nigel! This unexpected duo takes you on a thrilling 4D journey through Rio de Janeiro, finding courage, friendship and maybe even love along the way.

CALENDAR oF EVENTSSeptember 8Senior TuesdayAnyone 65+ years old can visit Moody Gardens for just $5 per attraction, per senior citizen.* Restrictions may apply. Call 800-582-4673 for more information.

September 8Senior Rise & Shine Special at Moody GardensGolf Course: Seniors 65+ can play before 10am Tuesday and Thursday for only $20, including cart. Call 409-683-4653 for tee time.

September 12Boy Scout Merit Badge DayMerit Badge Day offers boy scouts the opportunity to complete most of all of the requirements for a single badge in just one day! Please call 1-800-582-4673, ext. 4320 or e-mail us at scouts@moodygardens.com for more information or to register. Registration begins at 9 am on the listed registration date.

September 12Adaptive Water Sports FestivalThis event welcomes individuals with special needs to participate in aquatic sports, such as water skiing, sailing and kayaking, with special equipment and instructors. All activities, weather permitting, will be offered free of charge to the individual with special needs and immediate family members on a first come, first serve basis.

october 10Gritty GoddessThe ultimate 5K obstacle returns to Moody Gardens! The mud run designed for women has more than 20 obstacles, making it better than your average mud run. For more information and to register, go to www.GrittyGoddess.com.

october 24D’Feet Breast CancerD’Feet Breast Cancer, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides free screening mammograms and follow-up care to uninsured and underserved women in Galveston County. Events are certified 5K and 10K runs, a 5K walk and a 1K kids run/walk. For more information, go to www.DFeetBreastCancer.com.

october 25Ghostly GardensSpooktacular fun will include free trick-or-treating at various locations throughout the complex, creepy crafts, face painting and a

costume contest for guests in the Garden Lobby with prizes for the best costume. Families with a member in a Halloween costume will receive a special discount and pay just $5 per attraction, per person to the Moody Gardens attractions. Free, 2pm to 4pm.

November 14, 2015 - January 10, 2016Moody Gardens Festival of LightsBrighten up the wintery season at the 13th annual Festival of Lights. Guests will enjoy the largest holiday lighting event on the Gulf Coast every night this year! See Santa parachute in on opening day. Walk along a mile-long trail featuring over 100 sound-enhanced animated light displays and the area’s only outdoor ice skating rink. Also check out the Arctic Ice Slide.

November 14, 2015 - January 10, 2016ICE LAND: Ice SculpturesMoody Gardens presents ICE LAND: Ice Sculptures, a magnificent exhibit featuring approximately 20 large ice sculptures that will add a frosty new addition to the Festival of Lights.

November 21Family Fun WalkEnjoy a special weekend with the Family Fun Walk! Participants receive entry to the Festival of Lights, t-shirt (if pre-registered), ice skating (includes skate rental), family photo with Santa and more! Go to www.HalfMarathonMoodyGardens.com for more information and for volunteer opportunities.

November 22Holiday Half Marathon and 5KThe Holiday Half Marathon at Moody Gardens is schedule to start at 8am at the beautiful Moody Gardens property and Scholes International Airport. For more information and volunteer opportunities, visit www.HalfMarathonMoodyGardens.com.

November 26Thanksgiving Dinner at the Moody Gardens HotelGive thanks and enjoy a bountiful feast with family and friends at the Moody Gardens Hotel’s annual Thanksgiving Day buffet. Held in the Frances Anne Moody Ballroom, enjoy delightful offerings such as roasted turkey, gravy, cornbread and much more!

November 27-28Home for the Holidays Gift MarketShop ‘til you drop on Thanksgiving weekend at the Moody Gardens Convention Center. This holiday market features more than 100 of the region’s most unique gift vendors. Choose from home décor, candles, craft foods, accessories and much more for an extraordinary holiday shopping experience.

December 17-27Moody Gardens Christmas Dinner and ShowEnjoy a fantastic holiday magic show starring Master Illusionist Curt Miller and friends at the Moody Gardens Convention Center. A show ticket also allows admittance to the Moody Gardens Festival of Lights. For more information, call 1-800-582-4673 or visit www.MoodyChristmasShow.com.