Convention Policies - Please Read Carefully!

Children: We LOVE children and we are attempting to make the convention as “family-friendly” as possible, welcoming children ages 5 and up with open arms— but trusting that families will be willing to abide by the following guidelines in order to make the conference a positive experience for all attendees.

1) We are asking that those 4 years old and under be cared for off-site… except nursing babies of course. Please find childcare for your little ones with relatives or friends so that your time at the convention can be as profitable as possible. Unfortunately, each year we receive several complaints that parents with noisy babies did not leave sessions promptly when babies became a distraction. Some workshop recordings have even been rendered useless because of noisy infants. Parents, please be sensitive to everyone around you and leave the workshops or general sessions if your baby is the least bit noisy. Thank you!!

2) All 5 to 12 year olds in attendance need to be signed up for the Children's Conference as they are not allowed in the workshops. These presentations have limited seating and are geared for adults and young adults, not children. During the keynote sessions, however, children will have the option of attending either the children's conference or sitting in the general session with their parents.

3) 5 to 12 year olds must remain under the direct supervision of their parents and stay with them at all times while in the concourse area, vendor hall, or main hall— i.e. at any time they are not in the Children’s Conference room under the supervision of the Children’s Conference workers.

Security—Identification: It is necessary that whatever means is used to identify convention attendees, i.e. wristbands and nametags, be worn and visible at all times in the convention center. The Lansing Center is an public facility, meaning anyone not associated with the convention can walk through the concourse part of the building at any time. It is important for everyone to be able to quickly identify whether or not someone is a convention participant if they are anywhere other than in the open concourse area. If it is noticed that someone is not a conventio participant and is in any workshop, exhibit hall or keynote session, please bring it to the attention of a member of the convention staff immediately. It is important that we maintain a safe and secure event.

Exhibit Hall: The Exhibitors are not directly affiliated with INCH. Convention attendees should take note that the views, attitudes and behaviors of the exhibitors are not necessarily shared by INCH.

Food and Beverages: Please do not bring outside food and beverages with you into the Lansing Center. The Lansing Center Food & Beverage Department is proud to be the exclusive caterer for all events at the Lansing Center. Refreshments will be for sale for our attendees throughout the weekend, including a lunch special in the rear of the exhibit hall on Saturday. There are also numerous vending machines located throughout the building. If you desire to pack drinks, snacks, or lunches for your family, please refrain from bringing them into the building… Picnic tables are available outside near the river for your outdoor dining pleasure.

Cell Phones & Pagers: Our preference is that cell phones and pagers be turned off whenever you are in a session. If, for emergency purposes, you must leave them on, please put phones on a vibrate only mode, and answer phone calls only after leaving the session.

General Sessions: We strongly encourage everyone to attend the general sessions. All important announcements, changes and instructions will be given during this time. The exhibit hall will be open continuously through all workshop periods, dinner and lunch. The exhibit hall will close prior to the beginning of each general session and will remain closed until the end of the general session. An announcement will be made in the exhibit hall to signal the beginning of a general session. When the announcement is made in the exhibit hall we ask that you conclude your shopping and move immediately to the auditorium.

WORKSHOP PREFERENCES
This year we are not asking for your workshop session preferences with your registration. Seating in the workshops will be first come, first served.

Refunds: click here for details

FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY: This number may be given to a family member or child care provider to reach parents at the convention: 517-481-5994