You are invited!
Join us June 28 - July 2, 2013 in lovely Long Beach, California for the United Church of Christ Twenty-ninth General Synod! We invite you to reserve your exhibit space in the beautiful Long Beach Convention Center, overlooking the Pacific Ocean in downtown Long Beach. The Convention Center is conveniently located approximately 15 - 20 minutes from the Long Beach Airport and 30 - 40 minutes from the Los Angeles Airport. Over 2500 participants are expected to attend General Synod next summer!
First, an Important Note about General Synod Housing
Per usual practice, the United Church of Christ has contracted with various hotels in the General Synod host city area for housing for General Synod staff, delegates and visitors (at a discounted rate of $109. to $149. plus tax, per night based on double occupancy). Because the UCC has a long-standing commitment to worker justice, contracts were not negotiated with the Hilton and Hyatt Hotels near the Long Beach Convention Center due to on-going labor disputes at these large properties. Consequently the number of hotel rooms contracted by the UCC is less than usual. The UCC cannot guarantee the availability of hotel accommodations at the contracted hotels due to the limited number of rooms available. Therefore, we urge you to personally explore housing opportunities in the Long Beach area before you register for General Synod to ensure that you will be able to secure affordable lodging. On January 2, 2013 registration for General Synod and access to our housing blocks will open to the public. At that time you can register online for General Synod as a visitor. Once you have registered, you will be guided to a link that will list all of the UCC contracted hotels, the room night rates and contact information. Whether you select a hotel from this list, or another property that you have located yourself, you will need to make your own reservation by contacting the hotel directly.
General Synod Registration
General Synod registration opens online January 2, 2013. All General Synod visitors (including exhibitors) must register for General Synod and pay the General Synod registration fee ($225.). To register, please follow the steps below:
• Click the green register button on this website and follow the instructions. Select the "Visitor" category in the drop down box. (Note that the drop down box no longer includes a separate "Exhibitor" category.)
• Upon completion of your on-line registration, you will receive an email with your registration confirmation number. Please record that confirmation number on your Exhibitor Booth Reservation Form.
• Complete the Exhibitor Booth Reservation Form and return the form with your payment for booth space to Valerie Smith, 700 Prospect Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44115. Make checks payable to the United Church of Christ.
Note: Exhibit space reservations will be processed in the order that they are received.
Refunds
Registration fees ($225.) will be refunded through April 30, 2013 less $50 and from May 1 - July 2, 2013 less $100. Booth space fees will only be refunded if we are unable to accommodate your exhibit due to space limitations.
General Synod Program/Activities
Very important business of General Synod will include the re-election and election of members of the UCC Collegium of Officers, a variety of significant resolutions and the ushering in of a new governance structure for the Church. This business will be complemented by a wide range of opportunities for worship, education, public service, fun activities and much more!
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Exhibit Hall Co-coordinators Valerie Smith at smithv@ucc.org or 216-736-2104 and Jan Gomoll at gomollj@ucc.org or 216-736-3809.
We hope to see you in Long Beach!
