Dateline: 10-21-2005

ConSsuite Changes

CONvergence 2006 will see the first major turnover in ConSuite personnel since our convention began. Thaadd Powell and her crew did a great job and they will be missed but with a new staff we have the opportunity to look at the way things have been done and make some major changes.

We recognize the challenge with ConSuite. ConSuite is the one convention department that will never be able to satisfy everyone. Our goal is to ensure that we excel at certain basic priorities this year.

Organization

We want to ensure that the consuite staff is well trained and easy to find. We also want to streamline the food distribution process so we can make sure there is always a good variety of food available.

We have four individuals signed to act as co-heads for the department and are looking to fill eight sub-head spots as well. During the convention, our goal will be to have one head and two sub-heads on duty at all times.

In addition to these twelve people, we are going to need lots of help! Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering for ConSuite. We will need help with set-up on Thursday, with food distribution, food prep and cleaning throughout the weekend and with tear down on Monday. Remember, if you volunteer for consuite, you get first crack at the special food!

We are also looking at a new method of food distribution. Most con-goers will not notice a major difference. What we hope they notice is the fact there is fresher food available and a greater variety of options.

Cleanliness

A frequent complaint about consuite is the cleanliness of the rooms. Our new staff is focused on this problem and we have come up with several ideas to ensure the hospitality rooms stay clean and inviting. One area we have looked at is Smoking ConSuite and changes to that room are outlined below.

The new plan for food distribution should also help. But there is no substitute for having people on the floor. With three dedicated heads at all times, we feel we will have a strong focus on keeping consuite clean and inviting.

Decor

We want consuite to reflect the theme of the convention. We also want the interior rooms to be interesting and inviting. Room decor is a big part of that. Look to see a lot more time and thought going into room decor at the convention.

We have a lot of other ideas and would love to hear your suggestions. Feel free to contact us at consuite@convergence-con.org.

Smoking ConSuite / Smoking Lounge

Over the past several years, we have had difficulty maintaining a clean environment in the CONvergence Smoking ConSuite. This problem combined with the fact that we have been using one of our largest meeting rooms to meet the needs of a comparatively small number of convention members prompted us to take a look at our Smoking ConSuite policy.

After careful consideration, we decided to keep a Smoking Lounge but to move it to a different room so our entire membership would have access to more space in ConSuite.

We will no longer have a room designated “Smoking ConSuite.” Instead, Room 222, which is one of the whirlpool suites located on the end of the consuite function space, has been re-designated the CONvergence Smoking Lounge. The lounge will be open 24 hours a day with the exception of two 1/2 hour “airing out” periods per day. Due to the smaller size of the room, we are asking all members to refrain from smoking cigars or pipes in the room. We hope this new plan for accomodation of our smoking and non-smoking members will work out well for everyone.