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Worldwide Marriage Encounter

2008 International Convention

Celebration, Proclamation, Rejuvenation

Click on any question below to be taken to the answer:

 

Who will be supervising my children during the children's program?

Our children's program will be directed by couples from our local Marriage Encounter community who have volunteered for this loving task.  They will be assisted, in some cases by older teenagers from the community.  All applicable California laws will be complied with.  We will also need parent volunteers to help supervise the children.  If your child is enrolled in the children's program, you may be asked to take a 2-hour shift during the convention to supervise the children in the children's program.  This will help keep the cost of the children's program down and keep our children safe. [Return to top]

Can I bring my children to the convention if they are not enrolled in the children's program?

 

Children attending the Convention must be registered, and will be enrolled in the Saturday children's program.  All children 5 years of age and older are welcome in our children's program.  Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate children under 5 years old on Saturday of the Convention except for nursing babies.  You may bring your children to the opening session on Friday night and to the presentation and closing Mass on Sunday morning, if you believe they will not be a distraction to you or others.

 

Other options include checking with the hotel where you will be staying to see if they can provide phone numbers for baby sitting agencies that work with the hotel.  You may also consider bringing someone with you for the weekend to watched the children in the room. If you are being housed in community, you can contact your housing couple to see if they know someone who could baby-sit while you are at the convention. [Return to top]

 

Can I smoke inside the facility?

 

No.  The Ontario Convention Center is a non-smoking facility.  [Return to top]

 

What information do I need to know about parking?

 

The cost for parking at the convention center is $6 per day.  There are no in and out privileges, meaning if you come in on a day, leave, and want to park again on the same day, you need to pay an additional $6.  You should know, however, that the Doubletree and Marriott hotels, which have a special Convention rate, are within walking distance of the Convention Center, as is the Ayers Hotel. [Return to top]

 

Can I bring my own food into the convention center?

 

The convention center rules are that no outside food or drink can be brought inside the convention center except for one bottle of water per person.  There are concession stands inside the convention center from which you can buy food and drinks.  We will be having meals together on Saturday (lunch and dinner only) that are paid for through your registration fees. [Return to top]

 

What meals are included in my registration fee?

 

The registration fee for the convention (not including Priest Day) includes lunch and dinner on Saturday.  We recommend eating breakfast on your own before you come to the convention center, since the breakfast items on sale at the concessions inside the Convention Center tend to be expensive. Note that some of the nearby hotels offer a breakfast that may be included in your rate.  If you elect community housing, your housing couple should provide breakfast both days. [Return to top]

 

Will you be serving a meal on Friday evening?

 

No.  Please be sure to eat dinner on your own before arriving at the convention center on Friday night. [Return to top]

 

Can I keep food in a cooler in my car to eat as a snack if I want to?

 

Yes.  This food will have to be eaten outside, however, because the only food or drink that is allowed into the convention center from the outside is one bottle of water per person.  Please note that it is very hot in Ontario, California in June (average temperature is over 90 degrees at the end of June). [Return to top]

 

What kind of concessions (food and drinks) will the convention center have for sale to eat and drink between meals?

 

The concession stands usually offer items such as made-to-order deli sandwiches on French baguettes, fresh Panini, healthy low-calorie dishes, gourmet pizzas, unique signature salads and homemade desserts and coffee from the Starbucks espresso machines. [Return to top]

 

Are there designated places to eat and drink in the convention center?

 

No.  You can take your food and beverages (purchased at the Convention Center) anywhere throughout the facility.  We recommend, however, that you minimize the amount of food that you bring into the presentations, as eating tends to distract both you and others. [Return to top]

 

Will the Convention include Mass?

 

There will be Masses on Saturday during the day (which will not satisfy your Sunday obligation) and a Mass at the closing of the Convention on Sunday. [Return to top]

 

Can I register for Priest Day at the same time as I register for the Convention?  Is there a separate fee for Priest Day?

 

Priest Day registration is handled separately from Convention Registration.  You may download and print out a Priest Day registration form from the Convention website, however.  There is a separate registration fee for Priest Day.  For additional details, see the "Priest Day" link. [Return to top]

 

What is the cancellation and refund policy for a couple?

 

You may cancel up until March 1, 2008 and receive a full refund and up until June 1, 2008 and receive a 50% refund.  There will be no refunds for cancellations received after June 1, 2008.  (In cases of financial hardship or genuine emergency, please contact us at registration@convention.wwme.org) [Return to top]

 

What is the cancellation and refund policy for the children's program?

 

You may cancel up until June 1, 2008 and receive a full refund.  There will be no refunds for cancellations received after June 1, 2008.  (In cases of financial hardship or genuine emergency, please contact us at registration@convention.wwme.org) [Return to top]

 

How soon or late can I register for the convention?

 

In order to take advantage of the very best registration rates for couples, you must register by November 15, 2007.  From there, the registration rates increase in intervals as we get closer to the convention date.  It is very important that we receive all registrations by June 1, 2008. [Return to top]

 

Can I register on site the day of the convention?

 

Yes, although we highly recommend against this.  Not only will you be paying the highest registration price, but we will not be able to guarantee you will receive meals or materials we hand out that are related to the convention.  Also, note that there will be no on-site registration for children.   The best practice is to register early so you can be assured of having a pleasant convention experience. [Return to top]

 

Can we bring our motor home to the Convention?

Yes, but if you want to park it at the Convention Center itself the fee is $40 per day.  A more reasonable option would be stay at the Best Western Inn Suites (just 3 miles from the Convention Center).  You are allowed to park your RVs at the hotel parking lot for free and there is a free shuttle to and from the Convention Center.  The shuttle can also take you to the Ontario Mills Mall or a nearby grocery store.  Information can be found by clicking on "Travel Info" in the left hand window and then going to "Hotel and Housing Information" and then to “Other Nearby Hotels.”  The nearest campground is a KOA Campground in Pomona (10 miles from the Convention Center).  They can be contacted at:

KOA Campground
2200 N. White Ave.
Pomona, CA 91768
(909)593-8915

 

E-mail KOA@Fairplex.com [Return to top]

 

What time does the Convention start? When does it end?

 

The Convention will start at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening (registration opens at 4:00 p.m.) and ends at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, after the closing Mass. [Return to top]

 

What if I get to the Convention Center  early on Friday and want to check-in before convention  begins?

Convention attendees will be arriving in Ontario  at various times on Friday and may want to check in early.  The check-in  tables where you will get your program, name tags and other information  about the convention will open at 4 PM.  The vendor and exhibitor area will also open at 4 PM.  The convention volunteers will be busy setting up before 4 PM to ensure a successful, exciting convention for everyone.   

If you arrive in Ontario early, we encourage you  to take some time to relax or do some sightseeing before the opening of  check-in at 4 PM.  Please note that dinner will not be served  at the Convention Center on Friday, so if you arrive early you can  enjoy your evening meal before the 7:30 PM convention start  time.  Visit the link to local attractions and restaurants here.[Return to top]

Will there be a Spanish-speaking children's program?

 

No, the programs for each of the three age groups will be conducted in English. [Return to top]

 

Will Priest Day be offered in Spanish and Korean?

 

No, the Priest Day presentations will be in English only. [Return to top]

 

Will there be Korean translations for all three days of convention?

 

Yes, simultaneous translations into Korean of all presentations during convention will be available. [Return to top]