2023 Saute Ste Marie, Michigan – July 16 to July 22
54th Annual Convention of the International Cessna 170 Association
Karen and I are very much looking forward to hosting you in Sault Ste. Marie in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Hotel reservations can be made now at the Kewadin Casino Hotel, 2186 Shunk Rd, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. The convention dates are Sunday, July 16 (arrival day), through Saturday, July 22 (departure day). The room rate is $94+tax Sunday through Thursday and $103+tax Friday and Saturday. The rates are available two days before and after. Breakfast is not included, but complimentary transportation to the airport and downtown area is available. Reservations can be made online at https://book.b4checkin.com/chameleon/kewadin/rlp/cessna170association or call (906) 632-0530 and say you are with the Cessna 170 Association.
Campers, please note: To be reasonably assured of a campsite reservation for our convention, it is critical to make your reservation early in January at Anne-Osborn Campground, 1225 Riverside Dr, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 (906) 632-3268.
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, is just across the river from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario (Canada). If you wish to explore the Canadian side of the river, you will need either a passport or an enhanced driver’s license. Also, since the van rental agreement prohibits crossing into Canada, you will have to provide your own transportation. In the past, there has been bus service across the International Bridge but is not been back in service since the pandemic. I hope that we can get enough members to provide transportation to the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre for those who wish to do so. For border crossing information, go to https://www.ezbordercrossing.com/list-of-border-crossings/michigan/sault-ste-marie/
Download the Registration Form (PDF)
Download Convention Information (PDF)
Host Airport
Sault Ste. Marie Municipal/ Sanderson Field (KANJ)
Airport of entry and customs are available 24/7
2.1 miles from the host hotel
Commercial Airports
Chippewa County International (KCIU)
Flight Aware shows flights from Detroit and Minneapolis, as well as several smaller Michigan airports.
22 miles/30 minutes from the host hotel. The hotel will provide complimentary van service.
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario (CYAM)
Flight Aware shows flights from two airports in Toronto and one in Sudbury.
17 miles/36 minutes from the host hotel. International bus service may be available.
Convention Schedule
(Times are tentative, refer to the printed schedule on arrival.)
Friday & Saturday, July 14-15: 2023 Early Arrivals.
Call the Kewadin Casino Hotel at (906) 632-0530 for transportation to the hotel.
Sunday, July 16: Arrival Day
Vans will be available from the airport, or you can call the hotel at (906) 632-0530 for transportation.
6:00-9:00pm, Welcome Party, Kewadin Hotel, Upper Tahquamenon Room, heavy hors d’oeuvres, cash bar.
Monday, July 17 (All meetings will take place in Kewadin’s Grand Island I & II room)
8:00-9:00 am Convention Hosts Meeting
9:00-10:00am Area Reps Meeting
10:00-1:00pm Board Meeting
2:00-3:30pm Vans and cars to downtown Sault Ste. Marie
4:00-5:30pmSoo Locks Boat Tour
6:00pm -TBD Group dinner (pay individually) at Antler’s Family Dining (LOTS of taxidermy decor!)
TBD – Vans and cars back to Kewadin hotel
Tuesday, July 18 (This will be a fairly long day, but hopefully worth the effort!)
9:00am Vans and cars leave for Pictured Rocks Boat tour in Munising, approximately a 2-hour drive.
11:00-11:30am Pictured Rocks Gift Shop
11:45am Boats load for the cruise
12:00-2:40pm Pictured Rocks Classic Boat Cruise (Box Lunch)
3:00 – 4:30pm Vans and cars to Tahquamenon Falls
4:30 – 7:30pm Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub
https://www.michigan.org/property/tahquamenon-falls-state-park
8:30 – 9:00pm Arrive back at Kewadin Hotel
Wednesday, July 19: Airport Day
9:00-12:00pm Maintenance Forum in the main airport hangar, aircraft judging.
9:00-10:00am Breakfast and Tour of three local homes for those choosing not to be at the airport all day.
Breakfast at either Frank’s Place or Lockview Restaurant before tours.
12:00-1:00pm Lunch prepared by the airport staff and Soo Pilots (EAA Chapter 1437)
Possible tour to Bush Plane Museum in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, if transportation can be arranged
6:00 – 9:00pm Auction, Tahquamenon Falls room at the Kewadin Hotel
Thursday, July 20 Mackinac Island
9:00am Vans and cars depart Kewadin for St. Ignace ferry dock (approx. 1 hr. drive)
11:00am Board Ferry to Mackinac Island
TBD – Board Ferry back to St. Ignace
7:00pm – Vans and cars depart St. Ignace for Kewadin Hotel
Weather permitting, you may fly directly to KMCD ($12.50 landing fee)
Friday, July 21
9:00-1:00pm – General Business Meeting, Grand Island Rooms 1&2
5:00-6:00pm – Social Hour, Cash Bar, Kewadin Grand Ballroom
6:00 – 10:00pm Banquet, Kewadin Grand Ballroom
Saturday, July 22, Departure Day
All members are invited to fly their 170s (or whatever they fly) into member Jay Baeten’s private strip, Antique Aerodrome (9WS2) in De Pere, Wisconsin, about 35 miles northeast of Oshkosh, to stage for AirVenture 2023, where we’ll be celebrating the 75th anniversary of the introduction of the Cessna 170. Jay’s strip isn’t charted but is in most airport databases. It’s located about 8 miles south of KGRB, about a mile west of the GRB ILS 36 localizer. Jay says he has room for at least 50 airplanes, and you can pitch a tent or lay a sleeping bag on the floor of his 90×45 hangar. Contact Jay (information in the Member Directory) and let him know you’re coming. He says if he gets enough interest, he’ll round up a crew to cook on-site. Whether or not you’re planning on stopping at Jay’s place, please check the box on the registration form if you desire reserved parking for your 170 at AirVenture.
Future Conventions
If you are a member interested in hosting a convention in your area, please review the Convention Planners Handbook and discuss any questions with a board member or the executive secretary.
Past Conventions
Here’s a map showing where all our conventions have taken place, thanks to member Miles Bowen. Members can view photo albums in the Members Area.
