You may register by printing out a registration form off of our web site, fill it in and mail it to the registrar (the address on the registration form) with your payment in the form of a cheque or money order. Sorry but we do not take credit cards.

You may also register at the door as we don’t turn any one away, however it will cost you a bit more.

When can I register for the convention?

You may register for the convention any time after the registration forms are mailed out in October or available on our web site, right up to the day of the event.

What are the advantages of pre-registering?

You will save at least $20 by pre-registering, and if you register before the cut off date your registration package will be mailed to you and you will not have to wait in the long line-ups to get in.

What is the deadline for pre-registering for the convention?

The deadline for pre-registering by mail is March 16^th, however, if you want your package mailed to you will have to mail it before March 10^th.

May I bring my children with me to the convention?

We do not allow children under thirteen into the convention unless they are nursing infants (not toddlers). However, there is a children’s program for 5-12 year olds. See Children’s Program below.

May I bring my children into the exhibit hall to shop?

TBA. Regarding a shopping time for children registered in the Children’s Program

How much does it cost to register for the convention?

Check the registration form on our website at http://www.aheaonline.com/_06_schedule.html

My spouse cannot come, or I am not married. May I bring someone else along?

Of course you may bring friends along but they must register separately as a single. The couples rate is a family rate for husband and wife only.

May I get a discount on my registration by volunteering at the convention?

We do give discounts to people who volunteer for 8 hours or more before or during the convention. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator for more information at volunteers@aheaonline.com

My child is 12 years old—should I register him for the children's program or as a teen?

Please register him/her for the children’s program.

My teen wants to volunteer, but not attend workshops. Must I pay to register him?

If he/she is coming to the convention with a parent and is coming to just volunteer then you do not need to pay for his/her registration. However, speak to our volunteer coordinator for details on this volunteers@aheaonline.com

Can I come just to shop in the exhibit hall?

Sorry, but we do not have a shopping only pass as the exhibit hall is for attendees of the convention only. You may register normally and just shop if you like, but there are no discounts.

How do I register for particular workshops that I would like to attend?

At this time you do not need to pre-register for specific workshops. If there is a particular workshop you really want to attend, be sure to go early for good seating.

I registered for the convention, but am now unable to come. How can I get a refund?

You may get a refund, less $15, up to March 16^th. After that your registration is processed and there will be no refunds.

I have decided to attend the convention at the last minute, may I still register?
Yes, you may register at the door. Please go to the Walk-In line-up.

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SCHEDULE

For a full schedule of events and descriptions of all workshops and biographies of all speakers, visit our web site at: http://www.aheaonline.com/conventions.html

Please note that the schedule is subject to change without notice.

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EXHIBIT HALL

How do I find out who is exhibiting in the exhibit hall this year?

All exhibitors are listed on our web site as the information becomes available, along with a floor plan of the exhibit hall. Go to http://www.aheaonline.com/_06_exhibitors.html

Are bags allowed in the Exhibit Hall?

Yes, bags are allowed. We also have a coat/bag check run by volunteers of a home school band for your convenience.

How do I become an Exhibitor?

Exhibitors are by invitation only. Please contact our exhibit hall coordinator to find out if your company qualifies

Exhibithall@aheaonline.com

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CHILDREN & CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

What do I do with my children during convention?

Nursing infants are welcome, and so are strollers. Children from 5-12 years of age may attend the Children’s Program (details to be posted on the website).

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FOOD & MEALS

Can we bring food with us for meals?

As per our contract with the Westerner you may NOT bring any food or beverages into the facility. If you have food allergies and must bring your own food, contact a board member from AHEA for special permission. Please honour this rule as it makes it difficult for us to secure a facility if we don’t honour our contract.

Why can’t we bring our own food or coffee into the Westerner?

As with any facility that runs a concession or food service, when renting their facility we must sign a contract agreeing to not bring in outside food. This is common practice and not unique to the Westerner (for example movie theaters)

Where can we get something to eat?

A concession is available throughout the day right on site and there are many sit down and fast food restaurants within minutes of the facility. We try to provide long enough meal breaks to allow time to go out for lunch.

Are there healthy food choices at the concession?

Yes, each year we request that they provide sandwiches, salads and veggie trays. However, these items are not on their main menu and you must ask for them.

Will coffee be available all the times?

We do try to keep coffee available at a cost at all times but there will be times when it won’t be available for short periods. Water is always available.

Why do you not provide free coffee for attendees?

We are obligated by contract to use the concession or the caterers so we cannot bring in our own refreshments. In order to contract these people to provide the coffee we would have to pass the cost on to all attendees, whether or not they wanted the coffee, because it is quite costly for us to use this service.

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ACCOMMODATIONS

How do I make a hotel reservation?

Simply call one of the hotels below:

Black Knight Inn 1-800-661-8793

Service Plus Inns 1-888-875-4667

Sandman Hotel 1-866-343-7263

Holiday Inn Express 1-800-223-1993

Travelodge 1-888-383-2344

Western Budget 1-403-358-5755

Red Deer Lodge 1-800-661-1657

Day's Inn 1-403-340-3297

All hotels are located within 5 minutes of the convention site. When you book your hotel, be sure to book before March 5th/07 and mention that you are coming to the AHEA convention in order to receive the convention rates. Book early as space is limited.

How far are the hotels from the convention center?

All of these hotels are within a 5-10 minute drive from the Westerner.

Are any RV Sites available?

Yes, you may bring your RV and camp right on site. Please contact the Westerner first to book a space and find out the rates.

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INFORMATION & SECURITY

In the event of an emergency, how can I be reached while at convention?

There is no phone line available at the Westerner but we do provide an emergency cell phone number which you will receive when you arrive. We will do our best to contact you should someone call for you, however please check at the message board at the registration area frequently if you are leaving children at home and suspect you will be called. Please honour our request to turn off cell phone ringers while in workshops as they are VERY annoying to other attendees and are easily picked up on tape – and we tape all sessions for resale. Please turn them off or put them on vibrate and leave the room to answer them.

Where is a good place to connect with a friend who is coming to convention?

The best place would be at the registration desk in the front entrance. We provide a white board for messages.

Where do I go if I need more information about the convention or home education in general?

A good place to start would be at the AHEA Booth in the exhibit hall. You will see it as soon as you enter the exhibit hall and it will also be listed on the map you will receive when you arrive.

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AHEA MEMBERSHIP

How can I join AHEA?

When you register for the AHEA convention we include a membership with your registration fee. If you do not attend the convention and would like to be a member, simply send your name, address, phone # and email address to the following address, along with a cheque for $15 and we’ll give you a membership. You must be actively home schooling your own children to be a member. If you are not actively home educating, you may wish to become an associate member with all the privileges of full membership except voting rights.

AHEA

Box 84

Hughenden, AB T0B 2E0

What are the benefits of membership?

You support all the activities that AHEA sponsors. You give AHEA a stronger voice when we represent home schoolers before the government. You get discounts with HSLDA on their membership. You receive our magazine three times per year.

Where can I learn more about the work of AHEA while I’m at convention?

Come and visit us in our AHEA booth in the exhibit hall.

Where is the AHEA booth?

Booth numbers 305 and 405 in the Exhibit hall. You will see it as soon as you enter the hall.

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SINGLE PARENTS

Is there anything at convention that will speak to me as a single, homeschooling parent?

TBA.

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SUPPORT GROUP LEADERS

Is there a special event for support group leaders?

TBA

Contact Bev at supportgroups@aheaonline.com

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USED CURRICULUM SALE
Will there be a used curriculum sale in the exhibit hall?

Yes, there are usually several exhibitors that sell used curriculum. Please note that these are private companies and not sponsored by AHEA.

May I bring my used curriculum to sell?

Do not bring any used curriculum with you to sell unless you have first contacted the vendor to make the arrangements. Please see the exhibit hall information as it becomes available for contacting these vendors.

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VOLUNTEERS

I want to give something back to AHEA—may I volunteer during convention?

We are always looking for willing volunteers.

What do I have to know to volunteer?

We will train you for whatever we need you to do but if you have any previous experience or preferences we can probably accommodate that.

Who may volunteer?

Anyone with a volunteer heart who is over 13.

My teen wants to volunteer, do I have to pay to register him?

Not if he/she attends with you and is there to volunteer only.

When should I offer to volunteer?

You may offer at any time throughout the year or at least one month before the convention.

How many volunteers do you really need?

We have used as many as 50 or 60 volunteers at each convention.

Can I get a discount on my registration by volunteering at the convention?

We give a discount for anyone who volunteers over 8 hours either before or during the convention.

Do I have to miss a session to volunteer?

That depends on what position you are volunteering for. Some of our volunteers come just to volunteer and others are able to serve between sessions.

How do I apply to volunteer?

Contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteers@aheaonline.com

What positions do you need to fill with volunteers?

We are always looking for people to help with registrations, room monitors, exhibit hall loading and unloading, runners and speaker hosts as well as many other positions.

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