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2009 General Convention Information

Accommodations
Dates & Location
Directions
Food & Meals
HEAV Membership & Tables
Information & Security

ACCOMMODATIONS

HEAV has reserved room blocks at the three hotels closest to the convention: the Marriott, Hilton Gardens, and Crowne Plaza. Although the Marriott and Hilton Gardens room blocks have been filled, there is still space at the Crowne. Please see below for details.

Staying on a Budget?
While we’ve worked hard to negotiate reduced rates at the hotels nearest the convention center, we understand that these reduced prices might still be a hardship for some families. If you’re on a tight budget, you may want to visit www.edutravel.org and check out hotels a little further out--you'd have to drive in and pay for parking each day, but you will be able to find less expensive hotels. Sharing a room with a friend is also a good way to lower costs.

HOTELS WITH HEAV ROOM BLOCKS

The Marriott Hotel [Status: No Vacancy]
The HEAV block at the Marriott is now full. 

The Hilton Garden Inn [Status: No Vacancy]
The HEAV block at the Hilton is now full. 

If you have any questions, would like to be placed on a waiting list, or need to make a cancellation, contact the HEAV office at 804-278-9200. Please do NOT contact the Marriott or Hilton Garden directly. All cancellations must be made through the HEAV office in order for HEAV to maintain its room block.

Crowne Plaza Richmond Hotel [Status: Vacancy]
The Crowne Plaza Richmond is located just blocks away from Richmond's Convention Center. The Crowne was remodeled a few years ago, has an indoor pool, and offers free high-speed Internet access.

Special HEAV Rate (Single, Double, Triple, or Quad Occupancy): $109 + 13% tax ($123.17)
Parking: $14/night for valet parking; $10/day if you park yourself.
Address: 555 East Canal Street, Richmond, VA 23219. MapQuest Link
Telephone: 804-788-0900
Website: www.ichotelsgroup.com
To Make a Reservation: Contact the hotel directly and ask for the HEAV (Home Educators Association of Virginia) rate.

DATES & LOCATION

Q: What are the dates of the 2009 convention?
A: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, June 11, 12, and 13, 2009

Q: Where is the convention?
A: The Greater Richmond Convention Center (downtown Richmond) [Map]    
301 North 3rd Street
Richmond, VA 23219  

Q: How will I find my way around the convention center?
A: We've worked to make your weekend comfortable and your navigation straightforward, so watch for our "street signs." The convention center is divided into two two-story buildings: the Exhibit Hall Building and the Ballroom Building. Workshop rooms are named with the first letter of their building; "E" for Exhibit Hall Building, and "B" for the Ballroom Building.

Print these maps of the Richmond Center to help you plan your weekend!
Richmond Center First Floor
Richmond Center Second Floor

Q: What are the hours of convention?
A: The convention opens with registration at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, and closes at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, when the Exhibit Hall shuts down. View a complete convention schedule.

DIRECTIONS

The convention is held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in downtown Richmond.

Q. How Do I Get To The Greater Richmond Convention Center?
A. Please visit our Maps and Directions page for detailed maps and directions.

FOOD & MEALS

Q: May we bring food with us?
A: You are welcome to bring food to eat in your hotel room, and you may request a mini-refrigerator when you make your hotel reservation. However, according to the Greater Richmond Convention Center's rules, no food may be brought into the Richmond Center from outside sources. (Good news! Our understanding is that the new Hilton Garden Inn, a stone's throw from the Richmond Center, includes small refrigerators and microwaves in all their rooms. More details to come!)

Q: Where can we get something to eat?
A: There are several options:

Richmond Center
Cafeteria (Exhibit Hall Building, Second Floor)
Concessions throughout the buildings  

Marriott
Blue Fire Steakhouse
Starbucks Café (Serves a limited menu; not all Starbucks' items are available.)
The Onyx Lounge 

Hilton Garden Inn
Great American Grill

Local Fare
Go to the Information & Security booth and pickup a list of nearby restaurants, as well as driving directions to places further away. (Some restaurants may offer discounts for customers from our convention.) 

Note: We plan to update our list from last year based on feedback and new restaurants available.

HEAV MEMBERSHIP AND TABLES

How can I join HEAV?
What are the benefits of membership?
Where can I learn more about the work of HEAV while I'm at convention?
Where is the HEAV table?

Q: How can I join HEAV?
A: You can join HEAV online; by mailing this membership form with your convention registration and payment to the office (P.O. Box 6745, Richmond, VA 23230); by calling the office and paying by credit card (804-278-9200); or by joining during the convention at the HEAV Tables in the lobby of the Exhibit Hall Building.

Basic membership $35/year
Sustaining membership $75/year
Lifetime membership $750 one-time fee

 

 

As a "thank you," lifetime members receive an "Education Begins at Home" tote bag. Lifetime members also receive complimentary registration for our annual convention--for a lifetime!  

HEAV is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational organization.
Basic memberships and donations are fully tax deductible.
Sustaining memberships, except for the value of the tote bag, are tax deductible.
Lifetime memberships are not tax deductible. 

Q: What are the benefits of membership?
A: In addition to our heartfelt thanks and the knowledge you are helping to protect and promote homeschooling in Virginia, you'll receive:

Q: Where can I learn more about the work of HEAV while I'm at the convention?
A: Visit us at the HEAV table, where you will find not only HEAV board members and volunteers with years of experience, but also resources, freebies, legislative updates, encouragement, facts about the laws pertaining to homeschooling in our great Commonwealth, a list of member benefits, a myriad of resources available for purchase, and lots more!

Q: Where is the HEAV table?
A: There are two! The main table is in the lobby area of the Exhibit Hall Building, near the registration area. There is also an HEAV table just inside the main entrance to the Exhibit Hall.
Richmond Center Ground Floor

INFORMATION & SECURITY

Tim & Sue Grimes, Information & Security Coordinators, security@heav.org

Q: In the event of an emergency, how can I be reached while at convention? 
A: At the beginning of every workshop we will ask that cell phones be turned off, or set to vibrate, so please leave our emergency phone number with your caregivers and family members. The emergency phone number is 804-898-0752. Emergency messages will be posted at the HEAV booth in the Exhibit Hall, and an announcement will be made in the Exhibit Hall, as well as in workshops, if necessary, to find you. 

Q: Where is a good place to connect with a friend who is coming to convention?
A: We have a message board at the Information & Security Booth in the lobby of the Exhibit Hall Building. You and your friends may plan to leave messages for one another on the board. [Floor plan]

Q: Is there a Lost and Found?
A: Yes, come to the Information & Security Booth to leave an item you found or to look for an item you have lost. 

Q: Is a wheelchair available if I need one?
A: If you need a wheelchair at the convention, you must reserve it in advance. Availability is limited. Please contact the HEAV office at 804-278-9200 to inquire about reserving a wheelchair.

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