eileenkny wrote:
I don't think you will be disappointed, Eileen! When you get to the convention center, just ride the escalator up to the second floor. There will be a check-in booth there where you will pick up your totes and lanyards. Be sure to have your name tags and confirmation letters with you when you go to that booth or there will be an extra ($15??) fee.

I always like to take the show booklet and go through the list of vendors and circle the ones that I definitely want to visit. Then I circle their booth numbers on the map of the vendor area so that I can be sure to visit them. That will also help you get a feel for the lay-out of the vendor area and see where the TQS booth is so you can get to it every afternoon at 1:00!! The isles are marked with GREAT BIG NUMBERS hanging overhead so it's easy to follow the map, but their are so many vendors that it's real easy to forget where you saw something you liked. So....if you see something that you might want to come back to, make a note of the booth number!! Experience speaking here! DUH!

I also like to use the show booklet to get a feel for the layout of the quilts. The big winners are usually along the front isle, but there are always lots of special exhibits that are well worth the time to check them out. Be aware that in some of the special exhibit areas they do NOT allow photographs, so just be aware and look for signs restricting photos.

Also, some vendors will allow photos in their booths, and some do not. It's always a good idea to ask first!

You are going to have such a good time!!

Second floor in the Convention Center. About the middle of the long mezzanine/hall. Just follow the crowd! And, there are these huge portholes that look down on the first floor which is the market/vender area. Sneek peek! Way cool!

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

I bought our tickets as enrollments since Ricky's concert is listed as a class. We got our confirmation letters and name tags. Where do we have to go to pick up our totes, lanyards, etc.?
Can you tell I'm excited? I'm getting to the point where it's just about all I think about.

This is for all of you lucky people going to Houston this year. I received an email from the Alliance for American Quilts, and they're looking for volunteers during Houston. Here's the website for the email: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=e65cc5bab&v=001T4YSeKItteWNZyQZj8oDTN2k9M_sl3H32k95O56G-tYTPiu1TbKRnRY-KegxAGIqBhaR3HR2DT3J-VC9borjejBBTx6Iso8DTtGD9uEgXrrLKPDXqnbtWadUfmVzKQDxOZhl1QsK8ATg4KC7gVw4w6E5VMBkFzaHGgKtwLRMt7mNWvL7QiFKnIed_F1L_ox1ShQLzqvf3F6DSCSbBmiIt2V0Og8BkYRZ6RbqNRr_Z7WzSRg4d4KxpU4ZFWXz5HjDqE-amHtPMFFBJDM5SyT0CxBp6MO2c8g6dvW9RWONcGZ4jWO7Y7ndlZj78vaIXh-LBmUe23PMvqAvdMTKh9As3Jta4hevjCbwfmHjBCGycmdnFnMTyUWRyg%3D%3D

Eileen, I looked into that hotel after your email. Grat rates. But I don't have a car and they no longer have a shuttle, so no way to get back and forth. Bummer.
--elizabeth

Margo wrote:
Margo,
I bought our tickets online; I'm not taking any classes, I just want to experience as much of the show as I can. I included Ricky's concert so we'll definitely be there!

We're staying at the Baymont Inn & Suites Hotel on Mercury Blvd. Anyone else staying there?

Hi,

The temperature in the GRB varies from room to room - the hall is comfortable - if you take classes, the rooms upstairs can be chilly so layer. Our weather at that time is beautiful - it can vary from the mid 60's to 75. There is underground parking directly across from the GRB, at the Hilton hotel garage and some metered parking on nearby streets. I live very close. Feel free to email me with any other questions. Be prepared to have a GREAT time.

Good for you, Eileen!! The temperature varies all over the convention center. I like to always have a light sweater in my tote for the chilly areas!
Bring Mike by for at least one of the TQS Meet & Greets at 1:00 at the TQS booth! My husband really enjoyed seeing the excitement as we gathered last year!
If you will be there Saturday night, you and Mike might enjoy Ricky's concert. I think it's a great way to wind down a bizzy week, quietly listening to Ricky's music and his great stories!

There is public parking all around the convention center, but if you get there early in the day the most convenient place to park is right across the street from the main entrance in the lot that is UNDER the "Discovery Green". It's a little more per day, but I think that the convenience is worth it.

If you don't have a show catalog, you can download the entire booklet from: http://www.quilts.com/newHome/shows/viewer.php?page=../../fqf11/catalogue

It's full of really useful info, and you can sign up for admission and classes on-line at the same link.

Looks like we'll be taking over the whole place! They won't soon forget us quilters, will they?

DH Mike and I will be pulling into Houston late on the 1st; we want a day to relax before hitting the convention center. I am very, very excited!! We're looking at this as a once in a lifetime experience; if we get a second, all the better.

Other than comfy shoes, does anyone have advice about what to wear or bring? How's the temperature in the hall? What about parking? I heard about the husbands' room and I told Mike that he'll have to spend some time in there so I can get together with my TQS friends.

Can't wait to see the finished quilt Margo! We still have plenty of room for anyone who would like to attend the dinner, just send me an e-mail to get on the list!

Can't wait to see your Friendship Bouquet and all of you in Houston. I think I might need to create a paper count down chain like we used as kids waiting for Christmas to help me be patient for this big day!

Am I interested in seeing your quilt Margo? You bet, I am. So glad you will be there. We are going to have quite a crowd for dinner, aren't we?

Since I'll be driving, I will be able to bring my "Friendship Bouquet" if anyone is interested in seeing the finished project.

I'm so looking forward to this get-together!

That is great. Hope all will wear TQS nametags so we can recognize sign in names!!!