By HERB STUTZ
Convention Coordinator

Deadlines, deadlines If you are planning to stay at the Ritz-Carlton while attending the convention, it is important that you meet the May 29 deadline for reserving a room. Room rates are $159 for a single or double until May 29. If you miss the deadline, the hotel is under no obligation meet that rate and, in fact, will release the rooms to the open market starting on May 30. Call the Ritz-Carlton at (407) 206-2400 for reservations. Getting Marriott points Marriott Rewards club members who plan on attending the Orlando convention are reminded to e-mail Convention Coordinator Herb Stutz with your rewards number and the date of your arrival and date of departure from The Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes. A stay at The Ritz Carlton doesn't normally earn Marriott Rewards points, but since the convention was originally contracted at the JW Marriott but moved to benefit the hotels, Marriott points will be awarded. Points will not, however, be awarded in the usual fashion. A list of all Marriott Rewards program members, with their number and arrival and departure dates, must be submitted by Stutz no later than June 1.

Q: What are the convention dates?

A: Wednesday, June 22 through Saturday, June 25.

Q: How can I register?

A: You should have received, or are about to receive, a mailing from Ed Storin, APSE's secretary/treasurer, which included three important convention items. The first was a convention registration form, which should be mailed back to him, along with a check covering the registration fee. The second was a reservation form for The Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes Hotel. You can either mail or fax the form to the hotel. Third was an activities form, which must be mailed back with your check to Orlando Sentinel executive sports editor Lynn Hoppes.

Q: What is the convention registration fee?

A: $200 if sent to Storin by June 1. The late fee is $250. The fee includes the cost of the opening night reception at Walt DisneyWorld's Epcot Resort, breakfast buffets Thursday and Saturday, the Red Smith luncheon Friday and the Saturday night gala carnival. The $200 registration represents the "best buy" by far of any affiliated newspaper organization.

Q: What is the room rate at The Ritz-Carlton?

A: $159 for a single or double. Additional guests will be charged $20 per night. The Ritz-Carlton, which was named as the top choice among deluxe hotel brands by corporate travel managers for the sixth straight year, also has connecting rooms, which can be secured by calling (407) 206-2400. Be sure when you call you say you're registering for the APSE convention at the $159 rate and ask for an e-mail confirmation.

Q: What is the deadline for room reservations?

A: May 29, but we have a limited number of rooms at that rate so EARLY reservations are STRONGLY recommended. When making your reservation, ask that an e-mailed confirmation be sent to you.

Q: Suppose I'm on a limited budget and plan on attending the convention by myself. Can I share a room with a buddy, or can a roommate be arranged?

A: Certainly! If you have a friend who plans on attending the convention by himself, simply book a room with two beds at the $159 rate and split the cost. If you want to share a room, call APSE third vice president Greg Brownell at 1-800-724-2543.

Q: What can you tell me about The Ritz-Carlton at Grande Lakes?

A: A five-star hotel, The Ritz-Carlton shares 500 acres with its sister property, the JW Marriott, and has 428 guest rooms, 64 suites and 92 club level rooms, all with balconies.

In addition, it has a 4,000 square foot lap pool, a water river ride, an 18-hole Greg Norman designed golf course, a 40,000 square foot spa, a complete fitness facility and much more.

Q: Should I bring my family?

A: It's a no brainer. With SeaWorld and Discovery Cove five minutes away, Universal Orlando 10 minutes away and Walt DisneyWorld 15 minutes away, it's a parent's dream vacation. Reduced tickets for all of these theme parks are available through Hoppes' activity registration form. The costs for a family, however, will run higher than what one would spend on a normal vacation. Chalk it up as a once in a lifetime experience.

Q: Should I rent a car?

A: Yes, particularly if you are bringing your family. That way you can come and go from the hotel at your convenience. Restaurants, including the fast-food variety, are further than a walk away.

Q: Does the hotel charging a parking fee?

A: Normally, the hotel has valet parking only. However, when driving up to the hotel portico to drop off passengers and luggage, ask the attendant to be directed to the APSE parking area. It is a park it yourself arrangement. If you leave the car and have the attendant park your car, it will be put in a valet area and you will be charged.

Q: What kind of weather should I expect?

A: Temperature highs in the low 90s with the ever-present prospect of showers. So plan on dressing very casually.

Q: What kind of extra-convention activities are planned?

A: Look for a list in this newsletter, but suffice it to say that our hosts, the sports editors of our Florida newspapers, have planned a memorable time for the whole family.

Q: What about the convention sessions themselves?

A: Again, the tentative schedule is printed in the newsletter with four general sessions, 10 workshops and regional meetings planned. The format is substantially different from that of the past in that there will be a keynote breakfast buffet, rather than a luncheon, and the contest awards will be presented at the breakfast buffet, rather then at a banquet. The latter change opened the way for a Saturday night carnival to be held, featuring lots of excellent food, drink and circus-type games. The carnival will be open to the whole family, with the cost included in your registration.

Q: I'll be attending my first convention. Will it be easy to meet people?

A: APSE president Jerry Micco will team you up with a "buddy," an APSE convention veteran who will meet you at Wednesday afternoon's AP-sponsored Newcomers Reception and squire you around so you won't feel in the least out of place. You will quickly find that many of the problems and challenges you face day to day are the same shared by most attendees, be they from very large or very small papers.

Q: It's important that I take something home from the convention such as ideas I can implement. Can I be assured of that?

A: Absolutely. In fact, both the "Best Ideas of 2004" and the "Best Prep Ideas of 2004" will be distributed in paper and disc handouts and many of the other sessions will feature handouts, as well.

Q: I have additional questions. Who can I contact for answers?

A: On registration, call or e-mail Ed Storin at (843) 363-2044, storapse@aol.com; on the program, call or e-mail Jerry Micco at (412) 263-3052, jmicco@post-gazette.com; on Orlando, including the theme parks, call or e-mail Lynn Hoppes at (407) 420-5122, lhoppes@orlandosentinel.com; on the hotel call or e-mail me at 928-717-2271, herbstutz@commspeed.net.

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