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1. When does Treffen Wine Country registration open?
Treffen registration normally opens approximately three months prior to the event start date. Treffen Wine Country registration opens on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at 3:00 PM (ET). Check your eBrake News, social media, and PCA & Treffen websites for announcements. Also, check our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/treffennorthamerica for the latest information and updates.
Note: Due to contractual obligations, all attendees are now required to stay at the host hotel for the duration of the event. Failure to reserve your room may result in the loss of your registration for the event.
2. How does the registration process work and what can I expect?
Go to the Treffen Registration webpage and log on with your PCA membership account to start registration. Since all Treffen events have limited capacity, it is possible for the event to be sold out while you are entering or selecting your information (this event will likely sell out as fast as 5 minutes!) At that point, please add yourself on the waitlist; a link will appear on the website’s registration webpage. Also see “Is there a WAITLIST for Treffen? What about for Tours?”
3. Why doesn't PCA expand Treffen participation or the number of events per year?
Treffen, by design, is an intimate, exclusive event intended for a smaller group. It is run by a small team of volunteers, requires a host region(s) near the destination for running tours and assist with administration tasks, and takes about two years to plan each event. There are also many factors, such as resort size, room availability, event space, volunteer availability, costs, etc. that affect our capacity. The optimal size for Treffen is for about 120-125 rooms or roughly 250 participants; there aren’t enough resources to host larger groups for more than two events per year.
4. Is there a WAITLIST for Treffen? What about for Tours?
If the event sells out during the initial registration process, you must add your name and email to the WAITLIST; there will be a link at the registration webpage. Do not skip this step if you still wish to be part of this event; this is the only process for you to be considered for Treffen after registration closes! Only you can put yourself on the registration waitlist; calling or emailing someone to be put on the list will only put you further down the list! The Treffen Registrar will contact you should spots become available. However, we cannot guarantee that your first tour choice will be available.
Similarly, if the tour you wanted to sign up for is not available, please email the Treffen Registrar at treffenregistrar@national.pca.org to be added to that waitlist and contacted should spots become available.
5. What is the format/schedule of Treffen events?
Treffen events feature three days of non-competitive touring, creative dining, and the opportunity to explore exciting destinations. Arrival and event registration check-in occur on Sunday afternoon. For Treffen Wine Country, escorted driving tours will take place on Monday and Tuesday; “Navigators’ Day Off” (NDO) special activities or destination drives on Wednesday. Checkout and departure are on Thursday.
6. What does the Treffen registration fee include?
The base registration fee includes welcome reception, breakfasts, evening social/dining events, event apparel, and other amenities; however, it does not include lodging. Escorted drives and “Navigators’ Day Off” (NDO) activities have additional fees for rentals, lunch, admission, etc. that are added during the registration process. Please note that you must register your Co-Registrant at the time of registration to ensure that you receive your first tour choice(s). Adding a Co-Registrant after submitting your registration cannot guarantee availability on tours.
7. How many people can I register for Treffen?
Because you must be logged in to your PCA account, Treffen registration is for a primary registrant and a co-registrant only. You cannot add additional "guests" to your registration as the event and tours may be sold out. Primary registrants can only reserve one room per registration; a co-registrant cannot reserve another room for himself/herself at the PCA special rate.
Registration for Treffen Wine Country opens Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at 3:00 PM (ET). Please check your eBrake News and PCA & Treffen websites for announcements.
8. What is the refund policy for Treffen and the Fairmont Hotel?
Treffen Refund Policy: Cancellations received prior to 11:59 PM ET Tuesday, February 06, 2024, will receive a full refund less $200 per person processing and administrative fees. No refunds, regardless of circumstances, will be given on or after Wednesday, February 07, 2024 as we have commitments to pay for contractual and event obligations. We also do not allow transfer of registration. Although not required, we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for all Treffen events as you would for any travel to cover un-refundable expenses.
Fairmont Hotel Cancellation Policy: Reservations may be cancelled without penalty 6 or more days prior to scheduled arrival. Cancellations 5 days or less prior to arrival will forfeit full room and tax. Any no-shows, early departures, or reduction to stay from 5 days prior to arrival will also forfeit full room and tax.
9. How do I make hotel room reservations?
Treffen rooms are reserved for confirmed Treffen registrants only. Use the instruction provided in your confirmation e-mail to make reservations; do not pass this information to anyone. The hotel may have limited number of rooms available for pre- and post- event dates at the PCA pricing, but they are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Once those are reserved, you may contact the hotel on your own for rooms at regular rates if they are available. By registering for the event, you are agreeing to give the Treffen Team permission to share your name and e-mail address with other participants for contact purposes. This information will not be made public on our website.
Note: You cannot make any room reservations until you have successfully registered for the event. You must make your room reservation within 5 business days after you have registered or risk losing your registration for the event. Some buildings have no elevators for guestrooms and suites at the Sonoma Mission Inn; if stairs are an issue, please request a room on the ground floor when making room reservations.
10. Can I reserve a room at the PCA special rate prior to Treffen registration opening?
No. Reservations at the PCA rate made without authorization will be cancelled by the Treffen team prior to the event.
11. Can I participate in Treffen if I have a room reservation on my own at the Fairmont or if I’m from the local area?
Having a room at the Fairmont does not guarantee registration/participation and we do not sell Treffen events a-la-carte. Only Treffen registrants with the proper credentials are allowed entry into Treffen venues and activities.
12. What can we expect at the car wash?
We will provide buckets, wash mitts, etc. We recommend bringing your own drying towels as we do not have a laundry facility to keep sufficient dry towels on hand.
13. May I participate in Treffen without a Porsche?
The destinations’ roads are best experienced in a Porsche; however, a Porsche is not required. Rental from Porsche Drive is available in the San Francisco Bay Area for Treffen Wine Country; please check their website and app for more information. Your registration may not be contingent on getting a vehicle from Porsche Drive. If you cannot get the rental car you want from Porsche Drive and wish to cancel your registration before or after the no refund date, you are subjected to the same Treffen Refund Policy as stated on item number 8 above.
14. Will there be turn-by-turn directions for Destination Drives, similar to the Treffen guided tours?
Yes, directions will be available at the Information Desk. However, each will have a more direct route to the destination and will not lead you to the designated lunch venue. This is to avoid confusion and crowding on our tour routes and at the restaurants. We will provide the guided tour version of the turn-by-turn directions on Wednesday, April 24th only.
15. When and where are future Treffens?
Future Treffen events are initially announced at various major PCA events. Please also check eBrake News, the PCA & Treffen websites, and social media for our announcements.
16. How are Treffen destinations selected?
Treffen selection criteria centers around 1) geographic diversity, 2) attractive destinations, 3) great resorts, and 4) great roads. Treffen destinations are set to complement the location of Parade each year and occur somewhat remote to the location of Parade.
17. Are there sponsorship opportunities available for Treffen?
Certainly! Sponsor a drive, social, reception, party, or become the title sponsor. Email events@pca.org for additional information.
Disclaimer: By registering for Treffen you hereby consent to the disclosure of your name, region, and email address to PCA support staff and other registrants of this event; however, your information will not be posted to the website or be disclosed to the general public. Any photo, video, or image taken by or of Treffen guests during the event may appear in PCA national and regional articles & advertisements, social media, and/or Panorama magazine.
PCA Code of Ethics and Conduct: This is a reminder that all Treffen registrants must follow the PCA Code of Ethics and Conduct as stated in the Region Procedures Manual (RPM). Failure to abide by these principles will not be tolerated and may result in your expulsion from the Treffen event.
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