The Gene Marshall Convention XIII: The Girls from Dream City September 11-13, 2008, Orlando, Florida
Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
2008 Convention FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)
About Orlando
Why Orlando you ask?
Orlando is one of the world's premier travel destinations. More than 50 million people visit the area every year, enjoying the many attractions, beaches and events that make Central Florida a great place to visit and live. For more info on Orlando, click the links below:
http://www.orlandotouristinformationbureau.com/
Additional Information, Rules and Conditions
First Come, First Served
This year, the convention attendance is limited to 300 places, sold on a first come, first served basis but will stay opened until it is sold out. W Club members are given a first-notification registration window and may register with one guest per member. The event is opened to everyone 16 years or older who wishes to attend. Registration will open to everyone as of Tuesday April 15th, 2008. **Integrity Toys reserves the right to refuse or revoke any person’s registration at its sole discretion**
Registering Two Attendees
Each guest may submit their registration with one additional person. To do this, select two registration packages in your cart. Be sure to include the full name, mailing address, email address and phone number for the extra person you are registering in the comments section (in the cart) before you submit your order. Payment and Confirmation: Initial registrations will be done through the shopping cart, where you can pay via credit card, paypal or money order. You must complete your payment (credit cards and paypal) upon submission for your registration to be counted. For money order payments, your payment must arrive within two weeks of the date of your submission or your spot(s) will be forfeited.
Convention Yahoo Group
An official Yahoo! Group, dedicated solely to the convention, has been set-up and will be moderated by Alain and his team. If you will be attending the convention, please join this group immediately here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thegirlsfromdreamcity/
Absentee Packages
A convention would not be the same without the collectors and in order to have a successful convention, negotiate low rates with the hotel and be able to afford producing all the goodies we give out at our event, we need you to attend. This year however, we have decided to make any leftover souvenir packages (if any) available to W Club members after the event. Please note that depending on attendance, there may or may not be any packages left. With all this said, we understand that some of you have physical conditions or are in situations (be it work, location or what not) that prevent you from joining them and we totally understand your predicament. However, in order to be fair for those of you that do choose to go through the expense of joining us, no matter what situation they are in, we ask that everyone kindly respects our decision. If you can’t attend and absolutely want the souvenirs, why not consider sending someone in your place that can represent you? See “Substitutions”.
Substitutions
Conventioneers who have attended our events in the past already know this, but we will allow substitutions. Meaning, if you registered for the convention and suddenly learn that you can’t come for whatever reason, we will allow you to find a representative to replace you and collect your souvenirs in your place. This representative must be someone not already attending the convention (i.e. the same person cannot have two or more registrations for our convention). If you would like to have a substitute attend in your place, please contact Alain, our event coordinator at alain@integritytoys.com. We will do all we can to accommodate you.
Cancellation Policy
Although we realize that life happens and sometimes last minute problems may prevent you from attending, due to problems with cancellations in the past, the deadline for cancellations will be set 60 days before the start of the event this year, or July 11th, 2008. If you cancel before July 11th, we will refund your fees minus a 25% penalty fee. If you cancel after July 11th, you forfeit the cost of your entire registration package. Please note that realistically with travel, lodging, shopping and food expenses, it has been our experience that convention attendance usually costs around US$1300 to $1600. If you are not 100% certain that attending this event is within your budget, please consider that before registering. We will be more than happy to put you on a waiting list, which will stay open until 10 days prior to the event. Contact Alain directly at alain@integritytoys.com for more details. We want this event to be a success and our conventioneers to have fun and not worry about anything while they are with us.
Other FAQs
I would like to come with my spouse/partner but I’m the only one who collects, do you offer a meal only package? We do not have a meal only option. To meet our convention budget and keep it reasonably priced for all collectors, we need to maximize the total number of collectors attending. However, please note that spouses and partners are more than welcome to stay in your guest rooms, even if they don’t purchase the registration package, they just won’t be allowed at the functions.
I want to be a table host, go on a tour, take part of workshops or enter the competitions. Where can I find out about that? All of this information and more will be forthcoming in the registration package. Please do not contact us ahead of time to find out about this; we won’t have the information until the registration package is ready.
I need a lot of time to prepare for my competition entries; will you make the registration package available on-line early this year? Yes, most definitely. Based on past experience, we realize the need to make the package available as early as possible.
I have food allergies; will you take care of my special dietary needs? Yes, most definitely, but it will be your responsibility to send in the special form that will be included in your registration package. We need to submit these ahead of time to the hotel, otherwise we will not be able to help you. We will not be serving any fish/seafood meals at any of our events this year.
I registered, but now I just can’t come; something’s come up and we are past the cancellation date. What can I do? The only option we will allow is substitution. You must find someone to replace you or you lose the price of your package once you are past the cancellation date. Everyone needs to understand that past a certain date, like any convention, we need to start paying our suppliers and cancellation is simply not an option for us. So, please plan accordingly and be responsible in your decision to attend. PLEASE NOTE: WE DO NOT SHIP OUT ABSENTEE PACKAGES. If you can’t find a replacement, then you forfeit your convention package.
I’ve missed the cancellation date and can’t find anyone to replace me; will you help me find someone? We will certainly try; if the convention is sold out and we have a waiting list, we will do what we can to pair you up with someone. Contact alain@integritytoys.com
Oh no! I missed out and now the convention is sold out, what can I do? You can still apply for our waiting list, please contact alain@integritytoys.com. We will do what we can to give you priority if a spot opens.
I can’t attend but I don’t want to forfeit my convention goodies. Can my friend who is attending pick up my things and ship them to me? No, we don’t allow that, we really need everyone who said they would attend to attend in order for our event to be a success. Please respect our decisions by not inquiring about this, the answer will remain no. Thank you for your understanding.
I registered for a base package, but I heard that there was an upgrade Deluxe package doll(s), I want it/them. What can I do? Sorry, but the deadline for the upgrade dolls was May 15th and is not negotiable as we had to place the order with our factory and we only be produced the exact amount we needed, 150 dolls total. If you have not upgraded your package and would be interested in this doll, there maybe a few left the day of the registration if we get cancellations and what not. Just ask, you might get surprised!
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