Conference FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s Here! Immediate Questions

How do I avoid all that traffic around downtown Winston? I hear lots of roads and bridges are closed.
Visit the Travel & Accommodations page and scroll down to Directions. There, you get plenty of information about the road closures and how you can avoid them. It’s not too bad!

What about Parking?
Keep scrolling. You’ll find lots of info about parking near the hotel under “Navigating the Conference” below. This handy location map can help you figure out where to park too.

I’m going to be late and want to catch up to everyone. How do I know where to go?
Download this quick Conference At-A-Glance PDF file to see what is happening when. Then pull up this Location Map, which shows where all of the conference and worship locations are in relationship to each other, as well as parking information. We hope you join us soon!

 

General Questions

What are the official dates of the 13th Moravian Women’s Conference?
Conference attendees may check in beginning at 2:00pm on Thursday, June 20, 2019. The last event scheduled for the conference is Closing Worship beginning at 10:00am on Sunday, June 23, 2019. There is a pre-conference Southern Moravian History Tour scheduled for Wednesday, June 19. Details are available on registration.

Where is the 13th Moravian Women’s Conference located?
The Embassy Suites by Hilton in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the location for the 2019 Conference. The Embassy Suites are part of the Twin City Quarter, located in the heart of downtown Winston-Salem and a complex that includes accommodations, restaurants, and meeting rooms. The street address for the Embassy Suites is 425 North Cherry Street, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27101.

Can I come early or stay late? 
Your conference registration fee does NOT include lodging, though special conference rates are available at the Embassy Suites. Attendees may certainly book additional days at the Embassy Suites should they desire to arrive early or leave late. Note that attendees are responsible for their own lodging costs.

How do I join the conference Facebook page? 
Stay updated about all of the Women’s Conference news and announcements at http://www.facebook.com/MoravianWC. Another way to stay updated is to follow any new posts to this website. Simply click the “Follow” box that appears in the right column of this page. You may also follow us on Instagram by searching for @MoravianWomen and clicking the “Follow” button.

Attendance & Registration

When does registration open? When do early bird discounts end?
Registration opens on July 1, 2018. Early bird discounts end on February 6, 2019 (note this is an extended deadline!). Advance conference registration ends June 9, 2019. If you want to register after this date, please email [email protected] to find out if space is still available.

How can I register to attend?
You may register (and pay your registration fee) online. There is also a mail-in (printable) version that you can complete and mail to us along with your check.

I’ve heard the registration fee is lower than 2015. How can that be? 
The 2015 registration fee included three nights lodging at an all-inclusive conference center in northeast Maryland. The 2019 conference will take place in an urban environment that is basically the epicenter of the Moravian Church Southern Province. We anticipate many Southern Province women will choose to commute so have altered our pricing structure to reflect a registration fee with separate lodging arrangements. Attendees register for the conference and then, if needed, make their own hotel arrangements at discounted rates at the Embassy Suites/Marriott in downtown Winston-Salem.

Can I fill out the registration form and pay later?
No, we ask that all attendees register and pay at the same time. You may register online and pay using a credit card, or you may mail your payment with your paper registration form to our conference registrar. The address for mailing appears on the printable form.

Can I change my workshops after I’ve already registered?
Please email us at [email protected] to make any changes to your registration information. No changes are possible once advance registration ends.

I’ve had problems registering online. What do I do? 
If you have any problems during your online registration process, please call our registrar, Janice Wilson, at 336-945-3641. She will return your call as soon as she can.

I’ve got a group of four coming together and we want to room together also. How do we make sure we can room together?
Only one of you needs to make the reservation with the Embassy Suites. Be sure to tell them that there will be four of you in the room to receive the “quad” rate. You’ll need a credit card to reserve the room, but no charges should appear on your statement until you come to the conference and check in. Just be sure to let them know when you check in that you’ll need to separate your hotel bill. The hotel should be able to split your bill four ways (or two, or three) upon checkout.

I don’t have a roommate, but will need one. How can I arrange for this? 
As part of the registration process, you’ll have the opportunity to let us know should you need us to help you find a roommate with which to split hotel costs.  We’ll ask some questions to facilitate compatibility and then connect you with your prospective roommate(s) so that you all can make hotel reservations.

Is there any financial assistance available?
A limited number of partial scholarships are available for U.S. and Canadian attendees on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Scholarships help defray the cost of the conference for those who might not otherwise be able to attend.  No more than two scholarships are given per congregation. Scholarship funds apply to the conference registration fee only. Attendees are responsible for their own lodging, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. You will be able to view, download, and print scholarship applications here once registration opens.  An online version of the scholarship form will also be available.  You’ll want to apply in a timely manner, as scholarships will be awarded on a rolling, first-come, first-serve basis.  You’ll need to apply for a scholarship prior to registering for conference.

Can I get a refund if I’m unable to attend?
Full payment must be received with your registration. No refunds are given. Registrations may be transferred to another attendee, using the following guidelines: The substituting attendee must provide a letter or email from the person whose place they are taking authorizing the substitution. The substituting attendee should pay the original attendee directly, since payment will have already been made to the Moravian Women’s Conference.

May I bring my family with me to the conference?
Sure! If they will be attending the conference and eating meals, they will need to register for the conference and pay the appropriate registration fees. If they are simply accompanying you to Winston-Salem, but will not be attending conference events, they are welcome to stay with you at the Embassy Suites. There are a couple of a la carte options – a Friday night banquet and gala ticket as well as a ticket to see Rachel Held Evans speak on Saturday morning are available for purchase when you register. There are plenty of restaurants in the hotel and lots of great restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. There are a wide variety of attractions and activities in the greater Winston-Salem area.

Will there be childcare?
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide childcare during the conference. Infants are of course welcome to join their mothers at the conference, though we ask that you remove unhappy babies from sessions so that all our attendees will be able to hear and focus on the program.

I’d just like to come and see Sarah Bessey speak. Is that possible?
Yes! Sarah’s Saturday morning keynote address, scheduled for 9:00am, is open to anyone. To purchase a ticket, select the “Keynote by Sarah Bessey ONLY” registration option. You may also choose to purchase a “Saturday Only” registration, which provides access to all events on Saturday. Sarah will be leading a workshop late morning and preaching during our service that evening. We’d love to have others from our community join us! After advance registration closes (June 9), please email us to see if there is space available.

Our women’s fellowship has some wonderful craft items we’d like to sell to conference attendees. How can we do that? The Share & Sell Market is THE place to show off your crafts and unique products to the Moravian Women’s Conference attendees during the conference. Registration for the Share and Sell Market is now closed.

Getting to the Conference

Is shuttle service available from nearby airports?
Conference organizers have contracted with an airport shuttle service to provide transportation from Greensboro, Charlotte, and Raleigh airports at specific pick-up times for an additional per person fee, which will be payable DIRECTLY to the shuttle service. More information about shuttle service is available on the Travel & Accommodations page.

What if I have to fly in to another airport?
The Greensboro (Piedmont Triad International) Airport is a short, 30-minute drive from downtown Winston-Salem and most national airlines fly in and out from that location. Charlotte and Raleigh are also possibilities, but are further away.  Though we offer you information about airport shuttles, you are responsible for your own ground transportation to and from Winston-Salem regardless of which airport you choose. Additional ground transportation options from various airports, including ride share such as Lyft and Uber, rental cars, and limo rental are also available, but again, you are responsible for making those arrangements. Groups traveling together may want to consider sharing transportation from airports.

I can’t afford to fly, but do not feel comfortable driving. Are there any other options?
You may want to check with other Moravians in your area about possible carpool or charter bus opportunities.

Navigating the Conference

What do I need to bring to the conference? 
Conference attendees from outside the local area will receive discounted lodging rates at the Embassy Suites and Marriott hotels. These are full-service hotels, and one night’s lodging at The Embassy Suites includes a substantial complimentary breakfast. Those staying at the Marriott are on their own for breakfast (note their room rate is lower.) The rooms include normal hotel amenities, with daily housekeeping service, if desired. There is a pool too! Bring whatever items you might normally bring on a trip away from home. Most of the meeting rooms can be easily accessed from the sleeping rooms without needing to go outside. Some events will be at local churches, and attendees will be able to ride shuttle buses, drive with locals, or walk to those events, so you may need a light jacket should the weather be unseasonably cool. Temperatures in June average from a low of 66°F to a high of 85°F.

What is the charge for parking at the Embassy Suites?
On-street and surface lot parking is limited. There are several parking decks connected to or within easy walking distance to the conference hotel.  The Travel & Accommodations page has more information about parking rates. We don’t recommend trying to reserve parking through the private company that operates the Cherry-Marshall Deck. Average costs to park in the Cherry-Marshall deck are $9.90 for a full day. The 6th/Cherry-Trade Street deck is owned by the city, more affordable (only $2/day on Saturday/Sunday!), and within two blocks of the Embassy Suites. Please visit the Winston-Salem Public Parking website for additional information: City Of W-S Off Street Parking Information.

I have special dietary needs. Who can I talk to about that?
The hotel banquet staff is happy to provide food necessary for most common dietary concerns. If you indicated this on your registration, we will communicate with them about your special needs. You are also welcome to call the hotel directly to speak with hotel staff about your needs.

Is the conference facility handicapped-accessible?
Yes, there are elevators and ramps located throughout.  Handicapped parking is located adjacent to the hotel.

How do I become a conference volunteer?
It takes many hearts and hands working together to pull off an event the size of the 13th Moravian Women’s Conference.  While we are using local Moravians as dieners for our lovefeast, we do still need greeters and ushers for registration and our general sessions, and general conference volunteers. You may sign up to volunteer when you register to attend the conference.

What is the dress code?
Attire is casual. Feel free to be comfortable in slacks, shorts, t-shirts, sweaters, blouses, skirts, and, most importantly, comfortable shoes. We do recommend you dress in layers as temperatures in meeting rooms can vary. Bring a bathing suit to enjoy the pool!

What is this Friday evening gala I keep hearing about?
The gala, also called the Celebration of Our Unity, celebrates our worldwide church.  After a delicious banquet, conference attendees (and their guests – see gala ticket option on registration form) will have a chance to enjoy dessert, dance, and fellowship. Attendees are encouraged to wear their national attire or native wear. Wear your dancing shoes!

Can I use my mobile phone during the conference?
As a courtesy to presenters and other attendees, we ask that you kindly turn off your mobile phones during sessions and keynote presentations. Please quietly exit the room to attend to important phone calls.

Will my photo be taken during conference?
We take photographs during our conference for use in newsletters and promotional materials (to include the Moravian Magazine), whether in print, electronic, or other media, including the conference website. By participating in this conference you grant the Interprovincial Women’s Board the right to use your name and photograph for such purposes.

Do you still have questions? Don’t worry, just email us at [email protected].