Some of the lessons learned from prior retreats include:

• After the initial deposit, it is good to have 2 additional payments at considerate times of the year.
• It is not good to collect payments before or directly after Christmas, right before tax time, or June-August because so many people are on vacation.
• Second payment: should only be the lodging cost
• 3 to 4 weeks before your 2nd big deposit for the venue.
•  Try to give money back to people who have to cancel.
• 3rd and final payment should be paid a good month to 5 weeks before the reunion. This would include the food and additional outside activity.