I am forwarding this to ODV at Bob Inderbitzen's request, even though it is out of my realm of responsibility. This should be responsive to Bill Edgar's question--we pick up our credentials at the same registration desk as everyone. You should have already received this information in this afternoon's email if you have registered for the convention. 73 de Brennan N4QX Brennan T. Price, N4QX Chief Technology Officer American Radio Relay League 3545 Chain Bridge Rd Ste 209 Fairfax VA 22030-2708 Tel +1 703 934-2077 Fax +1 703 934-2079 ________________________________ From: ARRL National Centennial Convention [events@regonline.com] Sent: Sunday, July 13, 2014 14:47 To: Price, Brennan, N4QX Subject: Read this before you arrive: 20 Things You Should Know You are receiving this email because you registered for ARRL National Centennial Convention 2014. If you are having trouble viewing this email, try viewing it in a browser<https://classic.regonline.com/t/c.aspx?0=218809&2=244686180&8=3&9=jwgvYSbqjew=&10=3&1=1248082&3=aKmP0FDnKpAEiwWIasgzaQ==>. [https://www.regonline.com/custImages/360000/364438/Hartford-Banner.gif] ARRL National Centennial Convention 2014 Dear Convention Registrant, The start of the ARRL National Centennial Convention<http://arrl2014.org/> is just a few days away! We are looking forward to welcoming you to Hartford, Connecticut--the birthplace of ARRL--for this very special homecoming. Here are a few helpful tips and suggestions we thought you should know before your visit: 1. What day should I arrive? 2-day registration includes the exhibit hall and hourly forums on Friday & Saturday, July 18-19, 2014. Registration opens at the Convention Center on Friday morning at 8 AM, and a ribbon cutting ceremony at 8:30 AM. The exhibit hall is open Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM. The Closing Ceremony and prize drawings will be held on Saturday at 4 PM. Additional 2-day registrations can be purchased online through Tuesday for $25, or on-site for $30. Youth 21 and younger must also register, but admission is FREE. 2. I pre-registered to attend an all-day Training Track and Lunch on Thursday. When should I arrive? Those guests with a 3-day registration to attend a Training Track and activities on Thursday can pick-up your advance registration materials on Thursday. Registration opens at the Convention Center on Thursday morning at 8 AM. Training Tracks begin at 8:30 AM (to 4:30 PM). Thursday’s lunch is at 12:00 PM in the ARRL Centennial Ballroom (Convention Center, Level 6). Registration for all Thursday sessions and lunch is CLOSED. 3. I’m an exhibitor. Is there anything I should know before arriving? Exhibitors were already provided with Thursday move-in and setup instructions and schedule. Exhibitors with remaining questions should contact Debra Jahnke, K1DAJ, Exhibits Manager; email djahnke@arrl.org 4. How do I get to the Connecticut Convention Center and downtown Marriott Hotel? Driving directions are included at the bottom of this message. For travel instructions by plane, train, or bus, please visit http://ARRL2014.org<http://arrl2014.org/> and click on the Hotel & Travel tab. The Connecticut Convention Center is situated next to the downtown Marriott Hotel. The buildings are connected. The Connecticut Science Center is next door. The Science Center’s “magic carpet” wavy roof is easy to spot as you’re approaching the Hartford city skyline and convention center complex. 5. Where do I park? ARRL has negotiated a $10 per day maximum parking rate (normally $19) for the convention on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Connecticut Convention Center Garage and Lot. Payment is required each time you leave the garage. Expect to pay more for overnight parking. The convention center has plenty of onsite parking spaces including an 8 floor garage and outdoor spaces for oversized vehicles in the surface lot. There are also many other nearby garages and lots (see the Hotel & Travel tab at http://ARRL2014.org<http://arrl2014.org/>). The Connecticut Convention Center’s parking is operated by LAZ Parking. The $10 per day max rate will be honored at the LAZ lots/garages at the convention center, Front Street, and Science Center. Overnight guests of the downtown Marriott Hotel will pay the hotel’s published $19 max daily parking rate. 6. Can I get around Hartford without a car? Yes. Hartford operates a FREE downtown shuttle bus…the “dash.” The shuttle departs every 15 minutes from the covered convention center motor lobby, and will operate on an extended schedule (until midnight!) for the ARRL National Centennial Convention. The “dash” shuttle connects the Convention Center with downtown hotels, restaurants, and the bus/train station. For complete information, visit http://www.cttransit.com/RoutesSchedules/dash_freeShuttle.asp. 7. Where (and when) do I get my registration badge and pre-ordered merchandise? Guests who completed their registration online should check-in at the Registration counters located on Level 3 of the Convention Center. Each registrant will receive a badge, lanyard, program<https://www.regonline.com/custImages/360000/364438/Centennial_Program_Guide.pdf> and tote bag. If you pre-paid for a banquet or meal ticket, the information is printed on your badge. The Registration Check-In counters will be open Thursday 8 AM to 5 PM; Friday 8 AM to 5 PM; and Saturday beginning at 8 AM. If you pre-paid for official merchandise (engraved call sign badges, t-shirts and polo shirts), these will be given to you during registration check-in. Visit the ARRL store in the exhibit hall on Friday & Saturday to purchase additional commemorative merchandise…while supplies last. 8. Is there a complete schedule available? Yes. You can preview the complete program<https://www.regonline.com/custImages/360000/364438/Centennial_Program_Guide.pdf> online (PDF). Plan your agenda now! 9. Important: Friday night Banquet and Table Pre-Selection To help avoid long lines entering the Friday night banquet, guests who have reserved banquet tickets should visit the Banquet counter in the registration area during the day on Thursday or Friday to select your table assignment. Table selections are made on an individual basis, only (you may not reserve table seating for anyone else). For example, if members of the Podunk Hollow Radio Club would all like to sit at the same table, each member must visit the Banquet counter to select the same table. Guests arriving at the banquet without a table assignment will be seated by the Banquet Floor Stewards. The banquet will be held in the ARRL Centennial Ballroom on the 6th floor of the Convention Center. Doors will open at 6:20 PM. All beverages (wine, beer, drinks and soda) are cash, only. Pre-ordered meals involving dietary restrictions (ordered online) will receive a meal card for their server. Sorry, the chef is unable to accommodate additional dietary requests. 10. Are there any tickets remaining for the other meals? No additional banquet and meal tickets are available at this time. Should we receive any cancellations—please visit the Banquet counter in the registration area on Thursday & Friday (first come, first served). 11. Where are there nearby restaurants? On Friday and Saturday, concession stands will be located in the back of the exhibit hall with food and drinks. During the day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, a small café and coffee kiosk may be located on the esplanade level of the convention center. Here are some other recommendations: * Marriott Hotel (adjacent to the Convention Center) – Starbucks ($ Lobby Level); Vivo ($$$ Italian); Crush ($$$$ American, and contemporary bar). * Connecticut Science Center (next door) - Subway® ($ sandwiches), accessible without entering the Science Center. * Front Street Complex (movie cinema and restaurant complex directly across the street from the convention center) – Arch Street Tavern ($$); Ted’s Montana Grill ($$); Front Street Bistro ($$); The Capital Grille ($$$$). For more nearby restaurants, visit the convention center Information Desk in the Lobby Level. And, don’t forget to use the FREE downtown “dash” shuttle to get around! 12. How do I take a tour of ARRL Headquarters and W1AW? ARRL will have coach buses to shuttle guests to nearby Newington for tours of ARRL Headquarters and W1AW, the Hiram P. Maxim Memorial Station on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (limited morning schedule). There is very limited parking at ARRL Headquaters, so taking your car to HQ is discouraged. A bus schedule is printed in the convention program<https://www.regonline.com/custImages/360000/364438/Centennial_Program_Guide.pdf>. Buses will arrive in front of the Columbus Blvd. entrance doors to the Convention Center’s Lobby Level (this is opposite the covered motor lobby entrance where the downtown Hartford “dash” shuttle picks-up. Don’t get on the “dash” to go to ARRL!). Guests should gather 10 minutes before your bus reservation at the large “Meet Here” sign in the Lower Lobby (on Sunday morning, the bus will leave from the Marriott Hotel, next door, as the Convention Center will be CLOSED). You’ll be greeted by an ARRL Bus Captain with further instructions. Guests with reservations will be seated on the buses, first. Your convention program<https://www.regonline.com/custImages/360000/364438/Centennial_Program_Guide.pdf> includes a complete bus schedule, including times for all departures and returns, and a map and instructions for the self-guided tour at ARRL Headquarters. A food truck will offer a limited menu of food and drink on the ARRL HQ grounds. Don’t forget your camera! ARRL HQ and W1AW will close at 5 PM on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and at 1:30 PM on Sunday. 13. Can I get on-the-air from W1AW? Many guests to ARRL HQ tell us that W1AW is the highlight of their tour. Operating time is first come, first served. Operating times will need to be reserved in advance at the front desk in the lobby of the main Administrative Building. Guest operating from W1AW will use the special call sign W100AW. If you’d like to make a QSO with W100AW while you are at the convention or visiting ARRL HQ, operators will be listening on 147.555 MHz FM (simplex). 14. How will I be entered in the two Door Prize Drawings? All paid ARRL National Centennial Convention registrants will receive one prize drawing ticket at the Registration and Check-In counter. Our convention staff will help you place your ticket in the prize drum. The drawings will be held on Saturday at 4 PM during the closing ceremony in the ARRL Centennial Ballroom (Level 6). There will be two prize drawings: a $5,000 Grand Prize voucher, redeemable for products sold by R&L Electronics, www.randl.com<http://www.randl.com/>. And, a $2,500 Second Prize voucher, redeemable for products sold by FlexRadio Systems, www.flex-radio.com<http://www.flex-radio.com/>. You do not need to present at the drawing to win. 15. Should I bring my children and other family members? YES! Older children and young adults will enjoy the youth presentations and activities<http://arrl2014.org/#youth> organized on Friday and Saturday. This is a great opportunity to engage young radio amateurs, and prospective hams, in the Amateur Radio Service. There’s something for everyone: radio electronics (science, technology, engineering and math), radiosport, public service, volunteerism, international goodwill, friendship and fun. Please note: young children should not be left unaccompanied by a parent or guardian at any time! No childcare services are available. All attendees, including youth, must register. On-site 2-day registration for youth 21 years of age and younger is FREE. 16. Can I take an Amateur Radio License Examination during the convention? Yes. ARRL VEC sponsored Amateur Radio License examinations for all levels will be offered during the convention at the Hartford Marriott Downtown (attached to convention center). Exam sessions will be conducted in the Capital Room on Friday and Saturday at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the exam session to ensure your spot. A photo ID and a copy of your current license (if applicable) are required. Convention admission (convention registration) is not required to test. For more information visit www.arrl.org/exam<http://www.arrl.org/exam>, email ExpoExams@arrl.org or call the ARRL VEC office at 860-594-0300. 17. What will the weather be like? While the long-range forecast looks good (highs in the 80s; lows in the 60s), please visit these websites for the latest weather information: NBC Connecticut, http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/weather/ WFSB Hartford, Connecticut, http://www.wfsb.com/weather <http://www.wfsb.com/weather> 18. What else should I remember to bring? * print, and bring with you, a copy of your online registration receipt. You can print a duplicate receipt by visiting this link: View Your Existing Registration <https://www.regonline.com/register/login.aspx?eventID=1248082&MethodId=0&EventsessionId=> * You’ll meet so many friends…old and new…that you’ll want to be sure you have some way to exchange contact information. Bring QSL cards (think “eyeball” QSL), business cards, and/or contact cards or labels. * camera * handheld radio / HT * smartphone and cell phone charger (don’t forget to share your contact information with other members of your travel party) * attire for the Friday night Banquet (we recommend suit or jacket & tie for men; dress or suit for women) * pen & paper or notebook/pad * summer attire (short sleeves, shorts, light colored pants), but the air-conditioning in the convention center can feel very cool. * umbrella and/or rain coat (in case you're walking to nearby hotels and restaurants) * PRINT THIS MESSAGE and read it before you arrive! 19. Is it too late to share a photo? No. It’s not too late to share a photo of YOU and YOUR FIRST ham radio station with us. Or a favorite "old" operating photo of you. We'd like to feature some of these photos during the convention. Please follow these instructions to share a photo with us: * Please send only 1 photo. The photo must include you! * Please send only JPG file types. * Name the image file FIRSTNAME-LASTNAME-CURRENT CALLSIGN-YearTaken.JPG. For example Hiram-Maxim-W1AW-1920.JPG * Email 1 photo to EXPO@arrl.org<mailto:EXPO@arrl.org> * Subject Line: My Photo * Please do not include anything else with your photo submission. 20. What if I need additional assistance? Guests requiring additional assistance for any reason should visit the Help and Information counter in the registration area (Level 3), across from the exhibit hall entrance. See you this week! 73 Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R Convention Manager ARRL National Centennial Convention For general inquiries, phone 860-594-0200, Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern Time. Directions to the Connecticut Convention Center The convention will occupy 3 levels of the Convention Center: Lobby Level (ground level), Level 3 (registration and exhibit hall), and Level 6 (meeting & presentation rooms, and ARRL Centennial Ballroom). All levels are accessible by escalator, elevator, and stairs. The convention center is handicap accessible. The Lobby Level is located on Columbus Blvd. It is accessible from Level P1 of the parking garage. Level P5 of the garage tower provides an alternate entrance, along an outdoor esplanade, to the Center’s riverside entrance. Traveling on I-91 North * Take I-91 North to EXIT 29A – Capitol Area/Convention Center (Left Exit) * Stay in right lane * Take first exit on right – Columbus Boulevard/Convention Center * Turn RIGHT on Columbus Boulevard * The convention center and its attached parking garage are located immediately on the right Traveling on I-91 South * Take I-91 South to EXIT 29A – Capitol Area/Convention Center (Right Exit) * Stay in right lane * Take first exit on right – Columbus Boulevard/Convention Center * Turn RIGHT on Columbus Boulevard * The convention center and its attached parking garage are located immediately on the right Traveling on 84 East * Take I-84 East to EXIT 52 to I-91 South, toward New Haven * Take EXIT 29A – Capitol Area/Convention Center (Right Exit) * Take first exit – Columbus Boulevard/Convention Center (Right Exit) * Turn RIGHT onto Columbus Boulevard * The convention center and its attached parking garage are located immediately on the right Traveling on 84 West/Route 2 West * Take I-84 West/ route 2 West to EXIT 54/Downtown Hartford (Left Exit) * Stay in left lane over the Founders Bridge * At the bottom of the bridge, turn left onto Columbus Boulevard * The convention center and its attached parking garage are on the left side of Columbus Blvd. Traveling on Interstate 95 North * Take I-95 North to EXIT 48 to I-91 North, toward Hartford (Left Exit) * Take EXIT 29A/Capitol Area (Left Exit) * Stay in right lane * Take first exit on right – Columbus Blvd/Convention Center * Turn RIGHT onto Columbus Boulevard * The convention center and its attached parking garage are located immediately on the right. Traveling on Interstate 95 South * Take I-95 South to EXIT 48 to I-91 North, toward Hartford * Merge onto I-91 North via EXIT 2 (Left Exit) * Take EXIT 29A/Capitol Area (Left Exit) * Stay in right lane * Take first exit – Columbus Blvd/Convention Center * Turn RIGHT onto Columbus Boulevard * The convention center and its attached parking garage are located immediately on the right While You are Visiting… Hartford, Connecticut and the surrounding New England region offers lots to do: arts & entertainment, museums, historic sites, outdoor recreation, summer concerts, shopping, dining and more. Visit Hartford.com<http://www.hartford.com/> for loads of nearby things-to-do! * Festival of Jazz, July 18-20 in Bushnell Park Downtown Hartford, http://www.hartfordjazz.com<http://www.hartfordjazz.com/> * Connecticut Science Center<http://ctsciencecenter.org/> (next door to the convention center). Full price admission is $19, but with an ARRL registration badge…admission is only $8.50. Accompanying guests and family members without an ARRL registration badge can obtain an online link for a 20%-off admission coupon (print it online) by visiting the ARRL Help & Information counter in the convention registration area. Boston — 1.5 hours New York City — 2 hours In the Area Blue Back Square <http://www.bluebacksquare.com/> (shopping, West Hartford, Connecticut) Connecticut Office of Tourism<http://www.ctvisit.com/> Harriet Beecher Stowe House & Center<https://www.harrietbeecherstowecenter.org/visit/hbs_house.shtml> Lake Compounce & Crocodile Cove<https://www.lakecompounce.com/> (Bristol, Connecticut) Mystic Seaport<http://www.mysticseaport.org/> (Mystic, Connecticut) Six Flags New England<https://www.sixflags.com/newengland> (Agawam, Massachusetts) The Mark Twain House & Museum<http://www.marktwainhouse.org/> Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of CT<http://www.vrcmct.org/> (Windsor, Connecticut) Wadsworth Athenaeum Museum of Art<http://www.thewadsworth.org/> Westfarms Mall<http://www.shopwestfarms.com/> (shopping, West Hartford, Connecticut) [https://classic.activestatic.net/images/logos/promoteLogo-Active.png]<https://classic.regonline.com> Planning an event? 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