Posts
Getting all set for the Write Stuff Conference? It's almost here. Do you have your manuscripts polished, your pitches practiced? Have you selected the workshops you plan to attend? Did you make your room reservation yet? Almost sounds like we need a checklist. With so much to think about getting ready for the conference, we don't always have time to plan for the “other” aspects of the conference.
Like, what are our meal options? What else is there to do? What's the best way to network at the conference? After a full, exciting, and educational day of Donald Maass' workshop, how would you like to unwind? Or would you not want to unwind? Would you want to keep going in high-energy mode?
With so much to do at the conference, it may seem like begging the question—but, honestly, what else is there to do? Non-conference stuff, I mean.
Let's approach this one thing at a time. First of all, meals. Everybody has to eat, right? If you've signed up for Donald Maass' pre-conference workshop, lunch will be provided both Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, breakfast and lunch are included in the conference package. But what about Thursday and Friday night dinner?
The Four Points Sheratan has a fine restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. On Friday, since we don't have much time between the afternoon workshop and the evening program, they will have a buffet dinner available at a reasonable price. Also, the Sheratan typically has sandwiches available in a refrigerator case near the front desk.
Checking in early on Wednesday? Staying Thursday night for the pre-conference workshops? Yes, you can rest up in your room and prepare for the next day. Or, you can burn off excess energy in the hotel's gym or pool. Yet another option is to spend social time with other writers, networking, sharing information, and just having a good time. One place to do this is in the hotel lounge during happy hour (from 5-7) or listening to the live DJ in the evening (Wednesday and Friday only). Or folks can post to this blog or the email loop about when and where they'd like to meet up.
A great way to enhance your conference experience is to attend the conference edition of the Writer's Cafe, to be held in Salon C on Thursday night.
To help you decide what you want to do during your “off” hours, I've put together a schedule of some of the options available.
Wednesday night
Arriving early? Plan a meeting place or look for folks in the hotel lounge
Happy Hour in Lounge (5:00 – 7:00)
DJ in Lounge in evening
Pool (10:00 – 10:00)
Exercise Room (open 24 hours)
Thursday
Breakfast options
· á la carte or buffet breakfast in hotel
· local restaurants
Pre-conference workshop with Donald Maass (8:30 am – 5:00 pm—includes lunch)
Dinner options
· dinner in hotel dining room
· sandwiches from hotel refrigerator case
· local restaurants
Happy Hour in Lounge (5:00 – 7:00)
Writers Cafe (Salon C, 7:30 – 9:30)
Hotel Lounge open till midnight
Pool (10 am – 10 pm)
Exercise room (open 24 hours)
Friday
Breakfast options
· á la carte or buffet breakfast in hotel
· local restaurants
Pre-conference workshop with Donald Maass (8:30 am – 12:30 pm—includes lunch)
Lunch options (for those not attending the morning workshop)
· lunch in hotel dining room
· sandwiches from hotel refrigerator case
· local restaurants
Pre-conference workshop with Lisa Rector (1:00 pm – 5:00 pm)
Options for folks not attending the afternoon workshop
· relax in room
· pool (10:00- 10:00)
· exercise room (open 24 hours)
Evening meal options
· dinner in hotel dining room (buffet available)
· sandwiches from hotel refrigerator case
· local restaurants
Happy Hour in Lounge (5:00 – 7:00)
Conference Registration (6:30 – 8:30)
Page Cuts (6:30 – 8:30)
Tuning your Pitch session (7:00 – 8:00)
Scavenger hunt (8:00 – 8:30)
Welcome Reception (8:30 – 10:00)
DJ in lounge in evening
Saturday
CONFERENCE DAY – choose your sessions; buffet breakfast and lunch included
No comments :
Post a Comment