Hey Y’all!

We are now two weeks and counting til Softwashapolooza East 2014. Here are some important points that we wanted to go over with you, for your preparation for arrival to the event.

Confirming your Registration for the Event

Below please find a link to the online community where we are displaying a copy of the registration list. Please check the list to confirm that all of your information is correct, including the spelling of your name, company name, E-mail address, etc.

http://softwashsystems.activeboard.com/t56193269/registration-confirmation-list/

Late Registrations

We may still have one or two spaces available for late registrations with housing. This will be on a first come, first serve basis and the opportunity may come and go as final registrations settle into place. We will be starting a waiting list for overflow registrations which may or may not include housing. Please contact Whitney White at whitney@probizguide.com to get on this waiting list.

Arriving to Canterbury Retreat Center

Check in will begin at 3pm on Wednesday the 22^nd.  Please make arrangements to check-in in a timely fashion, as our BBQ and awards ceremony will begin at 5:30pm in the main dining hall. You will receive informational packets, ID badges, room assignments when you check-in. If you would like to room with someone in particular, you can request it at the link below and we will do our best to accommodate your requests. (This is ONLY for people staying at the Canterbury Retreat Center.)

http://softwashsystems.activeboard.com/t56193973/roomies/

Flying into Orlando MCO Airport

This year we will not be providing airport shuttle service. You will need to arrange for either a rental car, or a taxi service to get to the Canterbury Retreat Center. The Retreat center address is, 1601 Alafaya Trail, Oviedo Fl 32765.  It is located right next to the Race Trac gas station.

If you would like to coordinate a ride from the airport to the event we have started a discussion thread at the link below.

http://softwashsystems.activeboard.com/t56172768/share-a-ride-from-airport-mco-to-event-center/

Housing for Softwashapolooza

If you are already registered for the event, you should be staying at the Canterbury Retreat Center or the Hampton Inn and your housing arrangements should be shown in the confirming registration link (see above). Registration for the event came with housing included at the Canterbury Retreat Center, but was limited to 80 beds. Overflow was directed to the Hampton Inn University, however that block of rooms is now also sold out. There is no overflow housing available through the event organizers, you will need to make your own housing arrangements from this point forward. If you have not made housing arrangements as of yet, we have started a thread at the online community, listing local hotel options at the below link. If you are staying offsite and would like to split a room with someone, you can also post that desire at this same thread.

http://softwashsystems.activeboard.com/t56193196/overflow-housing-for-late-registrations/

Weather Conditions

Weather should be the upper 60’s to lower 70’s as highs during the day. Evenings and overnight can drop into the upper 40’s to lower 50’s. Florida is generally a 20 degree temperature swing so plan for warm days and cool nights but not cold nights. Traditionally, this weekend weather- wise is one of the best weekends of our entire year. So the weather may be brisk but it will be enjoyable.

Clothing Options can include blue jeans and polo shirts during the day. Evenings a light jacket, hoodie or sweatshirt is recommended. Some of you Yankee’s may even venture out in shorts. Florida’s weather can sometimes become bi-polar especially factoring in our humidity and wind. Our “feel like” temperature can make a 55 degree day feel like a 35 degree day if the humidity and wind are high. Therefore is highly recommended that you bring one stout winter jacket with you.

We will be participating in various hands on training labs, which you will be provided with basic personal protective equipment including disposable coveralls, gloves and respirators. You will NOT be provided with any rubber boots, hats, or eye protection so we highly recommend that you bring your own. In addition, we recommend that you bring at least two sets of clothing to wear under your disposable coveralls that you do not mind being damaged by bleach.

Cradle Skid Deliveries

If you have purchased a SoftWash Systems Cradle Skid that is being delivered to you at the event; those systems will be available to be loaded into your truck Wednesday the 22^nd after 12pm. Please follow the link below to find out what you may or may not need to bring with you to be prepared to install this system into your truck. Be advised this is a great opportunity for you to receive direct hands on training out of your truck with your system at this event. We will be posting a starting inventory of items that you should have on your SoftWash truck. It would be advisable to come with these items so you can maximize your training experience.

http://softwashsystems.activeboard.com/t56193559/cradle-skid-deliveries-at-softwashapolooza-east-2014/

Evening Meals and Activities

Though your breakfast and lunch as well as beverages during the day are included in your event fee, evening meals and entertainment are not. Each evening we will be leaving the conference center and having a group meal at a local restaurant. The meals generally average in the $15 range not including beverages or gratuity. You will need to come prepared to pay for your own evening meals. Other activities in the evening are also at your own expense. Please be aware EVERYTHING is within walking distance of the Retreat Center, and once you get to the retreat center, you won’t need transportation.

Ropes Course Training

For those interested in a more challenging rope safety and leadership experience we have engaged again this year Ties that Bind to oversee Canterbury’s High Ropes Course. This is included in your registration and is available at no extra cost to you. However, we are limited to 15 spots per day so these will go at a first come, first serve basis at check in on Wednesday the 22^nd the 3pm.

Leaving the Event

This event is 3 full days and the scheduled activities do not end until after 5pm every evening. In the past it has become very distracting having to accommodate people who have made flight plans or travel arrangements out of Orlando on Saturday. We highly recommend that you make your travel arrangements for Sunday, January 26^th so as not to distract the rest of the group and so that you get the most out of the event. If you choose to stay over Saturday night at the Canterbury Retreat Center, you can make that arrangement on Wednesday at 3pm during check-in for the event. The price to stay overnight at Canterbury for that extra evening is $50.

 Please understand that no special arrangements, rides or special consideration will be given to those leaving early on Saturday due to the distraction it poses for the event.

For those who do stay over on Saturday night and wish to worship with us, Church Services are at 9:30am and 11:15am at Real Life Christian Church on the grounds of University of Central Florida.

-- Edited by AC Lockyer on Wednesday 8th of January 2014 11:53:38 AM