2009 ILC – Important Tips and Information

Dear Brothers and Sisters, On behalf of the Colorado Family of Churches (Denver, Colorado Springs and Fort Collins), we are so excited to be welcoming you in just a few short days to Denver and the 2009 International Leadership Conference. Many, many hours of time have gone into the planning and we are now in the final stages or preparation, and are excited to see you soon!

The ILC Venue:

The entire ILC program was originally planned at the Sheraton Denver downtown. Due to construction in the Sheraton Hotel’s garage, the hotel event center is not available. The Sheraton has arranged for our entire program to be moved to the Colorado Convention Center just 5 blocks away: this includes all Main Sessions, Classes, Kid’s Program and the Sunday Service. The Sheraton Hotel is still open for guests and your room reservations have not been affected.

COLORADO CONVENTION CENTER: www.denverconvention.com
700 14th St., Denver, CO 80202 • Phone: 303-228-8000

If you are Traveling by Air, you will arrive at DIA:

If you are flying into Denver, you will land at the Denver International Airport (DIA), which has several services designed to make each passenger’s arrival easier to maneuver. When you fly in you will have arrived in concourse A, B or C. From your gate you will need to follow the signs to the main Terminal and Baggage Claim. These signs will lead you to the free train running between the terminal and concourses. Those traveling with children will enjoy the fact that Concourse B has a children’s play area. International passengers can exchange their money at the World Wide Money Exchange, which is located on Concourses A and B level 2 (which is the same level as your gate.)

If you need to check for a last minute email or other electronic communication, all three concourses have convenient Internet Kiosks for this purpose. Those needing extra help while they travel can visit the Traveler’s Assistance booth on Concourse B or Terminal Level 5. All three concourses and the terminal building have information booths for those passengers with questions about the airport, Denver, or the surrounding areas. Also, guests can visit the courtesy telephones throughout the airport and dial 2000 to link directly to the Guest Services department to get help with their needs. Airport Ambassadors, which are not disciples but airport staff and volunteers, will also be available to provide assistance and information. They can be found throughout the airport wearing white cowboy hats to help you identify them.

When your train arrives into the main terminal, follow the crowd up the escalators and look for a friendly brother or sister holding a sign that says “Welcome: As I Have Loved You” and wearing red shirts. These ILC Greeters will also be available to provide assistance and information to guests.

Please don’t forget to arrange your transportation from DIA to the Sheraton. Please visit the website www.icocconference.org for options. If you’ve already arranged for transportation, please confirm your plans.

Sheraton Hotel:

International travelers are almost always required to fill out information on your local stay and contact information. You are attending:

The International Leadership Conference, hosted by the Denver Church of Christ.

Sheraton Denver
1550 Court Place, Denver, Colorado 80202 United States
Phone: (303) 893-3333 Fax: (303) 626-2543

Internet Connection – Each participant staying in the hotel will enjoy free internet access in their rooms and wireless access in the lobby and exhibition space. There is limited wireless access at the Convention Center. Please consult the ‘General Information’ booklet which will be found in your registration packet, for more details.

International Call Center – We keenly understand the need to be in contact with family and the ministry while traveling. So the ILC is providing a free, long distance system at our International Call Center. Again, please consult your ‘General Information’ booklet, which will be found in your registration packet, for complete information.

Transportation and Parking in Denver:

For Transportation from DIA: Please visit the conference website for information.

For those staying at the Sheraton Hotel: The Colorado Convention Center is just 5 blocks from the Sheraton Denver. For our convenience, the hotel is running a shuttle bus to transport ILC participants back and forth as needed. At Registration you will be asked if you have any special needs with regards to your transportation so we may help to accommodate those needs.

For those Commuting into Downtown Denver:

Parking:
The garage at the Sheraton is under construction and no parking will be available during your stay. There is parking available all around downtown and the hotel has prepared some suggestions which are available on the www.icocconference.org website. Please keep in mind, most downtown parking is expensive. The Convention Center has a garage, but it is pricey as well. “A Taste of Colorado” festival will be held on Friday through Monday within two blocks of the Sheraton, which will also make parking difficult and more expensive.

The Colorado Convention Center parking structure can be accessed from two directions:

Vehicle Entrance: Enter the parking garage via North-bound Speer Boulevard (right turn) just after Stout Street and before Champa Street. Or, enter via West-bound Champa Street (left turn), just before Speer Blvd. www.denverconvention.com/center-services-parking.htm

Park 0 to 8 hours – $12
Park up to 12 hours – $15
Park up to 18 hours – $17
Park up to 24 hours – $25

There are several other parking lots that surround the Colorado Convention Center. The prices vary. Please visit the Announcements page at www.icocconferences.org for some additional options.

Public Transportation:
The Convention Center is also right on the D, F & H lines of Denver’s Light Rail System for anyone staying South of Downtown. Please visit www.rtd-denver.com for maps, times and pricing.

Conference Registration:

Although the Conference has been moved to the Colorado Convention Center the ILC Registration will take place at the Sheraton Denver Hotel. Please plan your time accordingly to go to the Sheraton first before going to the Colorado Convention Center. Conference Registration will be available on Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:00 am until 10:00 pm, Thursday from 7:00 am until 10:00 pm, Friday from 8:00 am until 7:00 pm and on Saturday morning from 8:00 am until 11:00 am.

Money – Foreign Currency Exchange:

In downtown Denver, there is one local Bank, Wells Fargo (1740 Broadway) that can exchange many foreign currencies.

Those currencies are:

Countries denoted with (*) in the above list have limited availability of currencies and may need to be ordered ahead. Notable countries missing from this availability list are Africa, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Turkey, most of South America, Russia and so on. Guests from these countries, and others not included in the first list above cannot exchange money without a Wells Fargo account, or a Wells Fargo account holder with them to provide account information. In addition, Wells Fargo is NOT open on weekends, just 9-5 M-F (Note: Monday, September 7, 2009 is a holiday and the banks will be closed). Anyone needing to exchange money for flights back home needs to be prepared to exchange money at a first point of entry airport like Washington’s Dulles Airport or LAX. Again, there is a Money Exchanger at the Denver airport on Concourses A & B.

Denver’s Altitude and Weather:

The biggest surprise for visitors to Denver is the climate. The arid conditions bring only 8 to 15 inches of annual precipitation and more than 300 days of sunshine a year. That’s more annual hours of sun than Miami or San Diego. Thanks to Denver’s 300 days of blue skies and sunshine each year, the forecast is almost always a good one though the chance of rain always exists. The mild weather is due in part to the city’s altitude: 5,280 feet above sea level, or exactly a mile high.

Denver enjoys low relative humidity, making for beautiful, sun-filled days and cool, comfortable evenings. The average daily high in September is a mild 79 with an average low of 44 degrees Fahrenheit. Because Denver is closer to the sun, it can feel much warmer than the actual temperature during the daytime, but then become very chilly after sundown, particularly in the spring and fall. It is best to layer your clothing.

Denver is also extremely dry and with less water vapor in the air at this altitude, the sky really is bluer in Colorado. But there’s 25 percent less protection from the sun, so sunscreen is a must. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen lotion and lip balm for your general comfort.

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER both before your trip to Denver and during your stay. Drinking water is the number one way to help your body adjust easily to our higher altitude. The low humidity in Colorado keeps the air dry, like the desert, so you need to drink about twice the amount of water here as you would drink at home. The effects of exercise are more intense here as well. If you normally run 10 miles a day at home, you might try 6 miles in Denver. Something to consider would be to eat foods high in potassium, such as; broccoli, bananas, avocado, cantaloupe, celery, greens, bran, chocolate, granola, dates, dried fruit, potatoes, and tomatoes.

Now, don’t let everything you hear about the mile-high altitude scare you. The air is just thinner and dryer. In fact, many people with respiratory problems move to Denver for the benefits of the dry air. Just follow these simple tips and you will very likely not even notice the difference.

Food:

The conference is located in the heart of Downtown Denver so there are plenty of places to eat. Your meals could average $8 to $30 dollars per meal. We will supply you with a map and food ideas upon check in. There is also a FREE 16th Street Mall Shuttle Bus that makes getting up and down the mall fast and convenient.

What to Wear:

We suggest casual wear during the conference. You will want to bring comfortable walking shoes if you plan to walk much around downtown and to the Convention Center where the event will be held. We also suggest jackets or sweaters for the cooler evenings and you might also find a travel-sized umbrella helpful in case of rain showers.

The Conference Program:

If you should have any questions that are not addressed here, please be in touch with us via the icocconference.org website or bring your questions along with you to our registration and our volunteers will be more than happy to assist you.

Again, we look forward to seeing you very soon!
The ILC Host Committee