By HERB STUTZ
Convention Coordinator

Trying to answer the last of the last-minute Convention questions:

Q: With the change in convention format and the climate, this looks like an event I can leave my suit, sports coat and tie at home. Am I reading it right?

A: You've got it dead right! The Awards Banquet, normally a dress-up event, this year will be an Awards Brunch, so our hosts, the sports editors of Florida, are advertising this as a "No Tie" convention. In addition, temperatures in Orlando will be in the 90s, with accompanying high humidity, so casual dress will be the order of the week.

Q: I noticed on my room confirmation from the Ritz-Carlton something about a charge for parking. What's up?

A: If you're driving to the convention or renting a car, when you pull under the hotel portico to unload your bags, ask the attendant to be directed to the APSE parking area, for which their will be no charge. If you leave your car with the attendant, you will be charged for valet parking.

Q: I know the area offers a lot for kids, but suppose my wife and I want to go out for a quiet dinner by ourselves. Is baby sitting available?

A: The Ritz-Carlton offers a baby-sitting service, with bonded, insured attendants, at $10 an hour. Contact the hotel's concierge for details.

Q: I read somewhere that the Ritz-Carlton offers a program for kids with all kinds of neat things to do. Am I right?

A: You sure are. The Ritz Kids program is offered at the Grande Lakes Resort with all of the details of the program, including cost, available from the concierge.

Q: I see by the convention schedule there is no session on the Olympics. I have a few questions concerning credentialing, etc. Who do I turn to?

A: Both Darryl Seibel, the USOC's chief communication officer, and Bob Condron, the director of communications for the USOC, will be at Thursday's general membership meeting and will be available the rest of the day to answer your questions.

Q: If my paper, or one of my writers was a contest winner, how can I pick up our plaques?

A: First-place plaques will be presented at Saturday morning's Award Brunch. Runner-up plaques should be picked up after the brunch from a table at the rear of the ballroom.

Plaques won by member papers not attending the convention, will be mailed in July.

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