2019 KOC Convention: Experience the Magic (UPDATE)

Remember to have your ID ready.

Wherever you choose to check in, you’ll be asked to confirm your information so please remember to bring a photo ID and be sure that the information on your ID matches the information on your registration. As always, we can only release one badge and bag per person and each registrant, including children, must be present and checked in to receive them. While children are required to be there to pick up their name badge and registration bag, they are not required to show ID.

Get excited for more time with Keepsake Artists!

The Artists are more involved in this year’s event than ever so we have made big changes to this year’s Artist Signing experience. The changes give you more time with your favorite Artists by allowing them to join you for Activity Sessions on Friday and Saturday. You will also see many of them in volunteer roles during this time and during the evening dinners. What does this mean for you?

• More time to chat and interact with the Artists! If you see them at Activity Sessions or throughout the event, say hello! As long as they are not taking a break, they would love to meet you!
• Your assigned Artist Signing sessions are still your one place to receive Artist signatures. Please do not request Artist signatures  outside of these times as they are only allowed to sign during scheduled signing sessions.
• Artist Signing lines will move quickly! Our schedule is a bit more compact this year so we will need to move quickly to get everyone through the line and remain on schedule, with Artist Signings occurring every 20 minutes in North Pole Village. We hope you understand and appreciate your cooperation in advance.

What else can you expect for this year’s Artist Signings?

There are five Artist Signing locations throughout North Pole Village. You’ll be able to identify them on the map inside the Event Pocket Guide that you pick up at registration or on the event app.

There will be a limited number of tables and chairs outside the stanchion lines at each signing location. You may arrive up to 20 minutes before your assigned signing time so please find a seat, relax, prepare your ornaments and chat with family and friends. If all seats are taken, feel free to gather around the table area to prepare for your signing.

Ten minutes prior to your Artist Signing start time, we will use table icons and a random draw to determine the lineup order for the session. This means you don’t have to arrive more than 20 minutes early for your timeslot as the order will be determined for you.

Five minutes prior to your start time, line managers will scan each badge to verify registration and will send each table grouping to a specific line. Each line will be released one after the other for signatures.

This year, we’ve assigned volunteer assistants to help you through the line. They will meet you at the front of the line and be there to help if you need support holding anything as you move through the line.

REMEMBER: We can only allow two signatures per Artist. This rule applies regardless of what is being signed. For instance, one ornament and one box signing counts as two signatures. Two ornaments in one box also counts as two signatures. Please plan ahead and be mindful of this rule to help ensure that everyone is able to get the signatures they’re hoping for.

Don’t worry if you have back-to-back signings or arrive a few minutes late from another activity. As long as you arrive within your assigned 20-minute session, we will work you into the back of that session’s line. Just be sure to let the line manager know when you have arrived. Unfortunately, we cannot bump you to another session, so arriving during your assigned time slot is critical.

Making your way between hotels
We have structured the agenda to limit the amount of travel required between hotels but you will have plenty of options when necessary.

• Shuttle service. We are pleased to provide regular shuttle service between the Westin and Sheraton Crown Center hotels throughout the convention. There are two available stops at the Sheraton – the first drops you at the lobby and the second drops you at an entrance closer to North Pole Village. Be sure to tell your shuttle driver which door you prefer. Additionally, for those who need help transporting scooters or wheelchairs, ADA compliant mini-vans are available. All transportation vehicles will operate on a continuous first come, first served basis.
• Indoor walk through The Link. Many people consider The Link (an elevated pedestrian walkway) to be the fastest connection between the Westin and Sheraton Crown Center hotels. Once onsite, you’ll find ample signage and our team, as well as hotel staff, will happily guide you there.
• Outdoor walk through Crown Center Complex. If you prefer to walk outdoors, the hotels are separated by a short 3-block walk within the beautiful Crown Center Complex.

As a reminder, airport transportation to and from the hotels, and to and from Club Dinners, is on your own but we’re happy to help with suggestions once onsite.

View dinner menus and make changes to your agenda

To help prepare your tastebuds, we’ve added a sneak peak of this year’s dinner menus. Click here to view them. And if you’d still like to view or make changes to your personal agenda (perhaps, you’d like to add an activity session), you can so on the registration website  or on the event app.

Getting help onsite

No matter the situation, we’re here to help. If you have convention related questions, comments or concerns while onsite, you’ll have several ways to find help. In addition to our volunteers . . .

1. Santa’s Helpers Help Desk will be a stationary resource Thursday – Saturday in both hotels. Check the event app for daily times and locations.
2. Mobile Help Elves will travel by “sleigh” between hotels to answer your questions on the go.
3. KOC Convention Team Members, dressed in white volunteer t-shirts, will be happy to assist.
4. Use the app! Stay plugged in to the event app  for realtime updates, reminders and notifications.

In case of emergency

If you experience a medical or safety emergency while onsite, pick up the nearest land line phone at either hotel and dial 3. State your emergency and hotel operators will immediately contact 911 and dispatch appropriate help. Land line phones are available throughout both hotels and inside every guest room. The hotels also have onsite First Life Safety teams certified in CPR.

That’s all for now. We hope you feel our excitement because we can’t wait for you to experience the memories, magic and moments of the 2019 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Club Convention! Let us know if there’s anything we can do to help before next week. We’ll see you soon!

We can’t wait to see you!