We learned a bunch from 2008!

Hopefully we learn from year to year what to do and not to do, to improve the next year's experience. From your input, and also from obvious issues that we saw, we are going to make the following adjustments for the 2009 event:

RESTROOMS
Last year the bathrooms got dirty very fast. The crew that normally cleans them routinely was gone! This year we will engage a daily crew to clean these bathrooms and to look in on them often.

LENGTH OF THE CONFERENCE DAYS
Last year was a special year with many presenters. This year we reduced the number of speakers and therefore we gain time. We are shaving a full hour off the time from last year, and we are scheduled to be finished by about 6:30 or so, each day. This give you a better shot at getting dinner somewhere on the Sedona strip.

CHAIRS
The gym does not have them, so we rent ballroom chairs from far away (Flagstaff). Even the best rental chairs are hard after a while. So we encourage you to bring a cushion or pillow to make it easier during these days... just don't forget to pick them and take them with you each day.

FOOD
We are going to try and convince a number of restaurants on the strip to stay open for us! We are placing 700 people all at once into the town, who all want to EAT! Sedona is notorious for "closing early," and we want to convince them that it will be worth their time and effort to stay open a little longer. As they say, "YES," we will post a list of the ones who have cooperated with us, so you can see who they are and have a choice to patronize them.

ON PREMISES FOOD
There were issues regarding the on-premises lunchtime food service last year, and how long they took to serve you. To correct that, this year we are taking reservations! See HERE So get your lunch reservations early!

PARKING
Last year we reacted as fast as we could to an issue we didn't expect: The school lot fills up fast, and does not supply enough parking for everyone. Therefore many parked across the street. This was planned, but we never suspected that a ten minute walk to the gym would be such a deal. It was, due to the heat! Not fun. This year we have already contracted FIRST STUDENT CHARTER BUS RENTALS to supply a shuttle service for this lot. It will be operating when you need it.

BEING SEATED
We provide spiritually based entertainment for 20 minutes after lunch each day. It helps to bring everyone back to their seats on time, and helps to keep us running on schedule. If you decide not to enjoy it and stay out of the auditorium, don't ask anyone to be saving lots of seats for you. It won't work, since then we will have the same timing problem getting you in late. We have reduced this entertainment time from last year. Please be seated on time.

THEATRE/DINNER EXPERIENCE AFTER THE CONFERENCE ON SATURDAY
There isn't any. We got the word.

NEW STUFF
The school is building a new auditorium, so there is construction around the gym since the auditorium is next to the gym. The new theatre will be operational by 2011. These things take time. Well, they shouldn't take so long but it's a city deal :-)