Tentative Schedule for Tampa Kickoff Party today at UNITY in Chicago

(Warning: this timeline is subject to change)

3 p.m. – TBABJ chapter members meet to stuff goody bags at Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers, at NABJ presidential suite, room 826.

6 p.m. – TBABJ members meet at the site of the Salute to Excellence banquet to distribute free raffle tickets for our Innisbrook Resort weekend getaway drawing. Location: Chicago ballroom, Sheraton Hotel and Towers.

9 p.m. – Workers will transform the Chicago ballroom into the space for the kickoff party. TBABJ members will set up our tables to sell t-shirts and collect business cards/or distribute raffle tickets for the Innisbrook drawing.

10 p.m. – Workers will conduct a soundcheck for the kickoff party featuring Eric Darius and Men of Note vocal group. Headliner Funkmaster Flex is not expected to arrive with his crew until 11 p.m.

10:30 p.m. – Doors open to the Chicago ballroom for the kickoff party.

10: 45 p.m. – The kickoff party begins with a short performance by the Men of Note vocal group from Busch Gardens. Tampa chapter president Eric Deggans will serve as Master of Ceremonies. After the vocal performance, staffers from the Tampa convention and visitors bureau will announce that Busch has joined as a major sponsor and will provide one free admission to each NABJ 2009 registrant.

11 p.m. – Eric Deggans will announce that sponsor Sheila Johnson has donated a vacation package at Innisbrook Resort for us to raffle, and will draw a winner’s name.

11:05 p.m. – Saxophonist Eric Darius begins his set. Will perform for 30 minutes.

11:40 p.m. – Funkmaster Flex takes the stage for a three-hour show.

1:45 a.m. – Tampa chapter members begin distributing goody bags to guests leaving the party.