Every year, either at the conference or on the evaluation forms filled out by the attendees, there are some recurring questions or remarks. We’re attempting to provide answers here, and we hope that you will find this information helpful.

Q: Why isn’t the conference held in DuPage County? Or, similarly,

A: The Hilton Garden Inn (HGI), St. Charles, actually is in DuPage County. We found the location with the help of the DuPage Convention Bureau when we felt we needed to move from our previous venue because of complaints from attendees and rising costs. Members of the conference committee visited just about every facility in the county that held any hope of providing the requisite space and amenities at a reasonable price. Yes, there were some lovely ones that would have held us, but the conference fee would have had to have been raised so much that it was not workable. HGI responded through the Convention Bureau, and was willing to work with us. We were able to keep the costs within reason.

Q: Why was the change made to a hotel?

A: The committee was getting exhausted. We had used hotels in the past, but had gone to other venues (such as the old DuPage County courthouse) to try to reduce costs. We finally realized it was move to a facility with some amenities, or have an uprising and mass committee resignation on our hands, and no more conferences.

Q: I would like to stay at the hotel the night before/after but the price is way too high.

A: If you are interested in a room at HGI either the night before or after the conference, call the hotel directly and ask for the catering office. Explain that you are coming for the conference and they will try to get you a good rate.

Q: Why is the conference so expensive? You must make a lot of money!

A: We usually are lucky to break even. The main purpose of the conference is to provide an educational opportunity for genealogists, not to raise money.

Q: Why do you always schedule more than one lecture I want to attend, at the same time?

A: We really work hard at it! No, really, we’d love to accommodate everyone but it s impossible to know, when planning, who wants to go where. This is one reason we strive to have good notes from each speaker in the syllabus. Then, if you can’t get to all the lectures you can at least get information about the topic.

Q: It is always too hot/cold in the rooms. Can’t you control this?

A: As in most large facilities, the temperature is difficult to control, and is much affected by the number of people in the room. Every effort is made to take care of problems, but the best advice we can give is layer, layer, layer.

Q: I have repeatedly asked you to have a lecture on the hometown of my ancestors. Why haven’t you done it?

A: We have to try to reach a broad audience. We vary the geographic coverage from year to year, and really make an effort. Some topics that are requested are hard to find available speakers for, or ones that we can afford.

Q: I can’t or won’t eat (fill in the blank). Please don’t serve it!

A: For everyone who can’t (won’t) eat something, there is at least one person who can’t (won’t) eat what the other one can. We try not to have strong flavors, and to vary the luncheon from year to year, so that the same people don’t get upset every year. If you really have an allergy, with advance notice we can accommodate some needs.

Q: Wouldn’t a box lunch, or simple sandwich, be cheaper?

A: Perhaps. One of the things we like about serving a sit-down luncheon is having a chance to meet new people and sharing information. Also, the lunch is the main way for the facility to earn money because our conference does not attract a lot of people wanting a room at the hotel.

Vendors:

Q: Why doesn’t my favorite vendor come?

A: All we can do is invite the vendors. We can’t make them come. Some choose not to come because we insist on offering a variety rather than just having one vendor. We are always open to suggestions. If your favorite is not there, perhaps you could ask them to contact us.

FYI: Ye Olde Genealoge Shoppe is returning this year.