Hotel FAQ
Why don’t you offer Childcare?Why not allow space for us to do it?
How do I get a hotel room?
Why shouldn’t I contact the hotel directly?
How do I check that I’ve got a hotel room?
How do I sign up to host a room party?
Why don’t you offer Childcare?
We don’t offer childcare for two reasons: liability and cost.
The convention cannot afford to assume the enormous liability of
trying to care for children or for the cost of hiring professionals
with their own liability coverage.
Why not allow space for us to do it?
Quick answer: Liability again.
Longer answer: If parents want to get together and share the cost and
responsibility of arranging their own childcare, we think that’s
great. Any involvement on the convention’s part, however, brings in
the question of liability again. Additionally, we are short enough on
space for current convention events as it is. So if you want to find
some other parents at the convention and work something out for this
year or for the future, go for it!
How do I get a hotel room?
Process Change - The room and cabana request process goes paperless!
A big change to note at this year’s convention is that there will be no room request forms available. The Hotel team has decided to come out of the dark ages and join the electronic world by trying a paperless system. Changes are being made to the site where registrations are purchased to enhance the functionality of the room request option. Soon you will be able t request a room solely through that site, and to know absolutely when your request was forwarded to the Hotel team. This will give us better ideas on when types of rooms fill (rooms for two beds, for example) and to know better when the hotel fills. Our anticipated "go-live" is October 1, 2009. We will update through the CONvergence website as more information becomes available.
There have been several inquiries about the Parties process.
The room rate for 2010 is $100.00 per night plus tax for regular rooms; $126.00 per night for cabanas.
As always, please send any questions on hotel things to hotel@convergence-con.org.
Why shouldn’t I contact the hotel directly?
The Sheraton expects our Hotel Department to handle room requests, and as such, they do not train their staff to handle the special requirements of our attendees - and more importantly, there is no guarantee that you would be given the convention hotel room rate. By having our convention staff handle requests, we can accommodate groups of people wanting rooms near each other (yes, you can ask for that), we can help those planning room parties to be in a good location, and we can better plan for the needs of our Guests of Honor.
How do I check that I’ve got a hotel room?
First, give us some time to process your request! If you mailed it a week ago, that’s a little soon to be panicking. Once it has been processed, you will be sent an email. If it has been a while and you haven’t received a confirmation email, then email hotel@convergence-con.org and ask (politely).
How do I sign up to host a room party?
Your hotel room request form also doubles as a party room request form! If you plan on having a separate sleeping room, you probably want to fill out two separate forms. Forms are here.