Frequently asked questions about the convention.
General information
Q. When and where is the annual convention this year?
Air Force Communicators and Air Traffic Controllers Association will hold its annual convention this year in Knoxville, Tennessee, from Wednesday, September 18, 2013 through Sunday, September 22, 2013. Wednesday is early check-in and Sunday is the farewell breakfast.
Q. How do I make my hotel reservations?
You can call the Holiday Inn Downtown World's Fair Park directly at 1-865-522-2800. Be sure to tell them you're with the AF Comm Group or use Group code "ATC". You can register by visiting the hotel web site: http://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/knoxville/tysec/hoteldetail?groupCode=ATC . Enter your arrival and departure dates and number of guests on the left side of the screen, click on "view rates" and follow the prompts on the next screen.
Register early!
Q. How do I register for the convention?
You can register by printing the registration form online (see link under "2013 Convention") or from the April Communicator, complete it and return via mail to convention host, Richard Sauer, 111 Carson Lane, Oak Ridge, TN 37830-7626, but not later than Sept 2, 2013. Register early!
Q. Can my partner, child, or family member accompany me at convention?
Absolutely! Our annual convention, for many members, is a family affair. Our convention has many social aspects. Your family members or friends do not need to pay the registration fee if they do not plan on attending breakfasts, the banquet or visiting the hospitality room. If a family member wants to attend the banquet and have access to the hospitality room, a Banquet-Only-Fee of $45 per person has been set to include the cost of the banquet meal and access to the Hospitality Room.
Q. Where can I find more information regarding transportation, restaurants and activities in Knoxville?
There are many great Web sites for visitors to Knoxville. A couple of recommended sites are below:
http://www.downtownknoxville.org/
http://www.knoxville.org/about-visitknoxville/
http://www.knoxville.org/play/
Q. What is the best way to get from the airport to the convention hotel?
A. Driving directions: Northbound on I-75 (from Atlanta): Take I-75 North to junction with I-40 East; take I-40 East to Exit 388 (Downtown) and follow signs to Henley Street (US 441). After exiting the tunnel onto Henley Street, turn right at first traffic light (Clinch Avenue). Parking lot entrance gate is immediately on the right Southbound on I-75 (from Lexington): Take I-75 South to I-275 South; take I-40/US 441 Exit and follow signs to Henley Street (US 441). After exiting the tunnel onto Henley Street, turn right at first traffic light (Clinch Avenue). Parking lot entrance gate is immediately on the right Eastbound on I-40 (from Nashville): Take I-40 East to Exit 388 (Downtown) and follow signs to Henley Street (US 441). After exiting the tunnel onto Henley Street, turn right at first traffic light (Clinch Avenue). Parking lot entrance gate is immediately on the right. Westbound on I-40 (from Asheville): Merge onto TN-158 W/James White Parkway via exit 388A toward US -441S/Downtown/University of Tennessee. Take Summit Hill Drive exit. Turn right onto Summit Hill Drive SE. Turn left onto Henley Street. SW/US-441S/TN-33/TN-71S.
B. By rental car:
From McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
More detailed directions:
Leaving airport to Knoxville (for Holiday Inn Downtown)
Merge right onto Alcoa Highway US 129N
Continue straight onto TN-115N/US-129N Alcoa Hwy
Keep right at the fork; follow signs for I-40 East/I-275 North/Ashville/Lexington
Keep left at the fork and merge onto I-40 East (use caution as lanes for off-ramps are on right)
Take exit 388 for US-441S/HENLEY ST, Downtown
Keep left at fork. Merge to right lane. Hotel will be first light on the right. Parking is hard right at light.
Hote Registration parking is along the right. If full, you can go under the hotel canopy and park.
After registration, your room key is used for entrance and exiting the Hotel
Parking area (there is no charge for parking. Be sure to tell clerk we have a parking charge exemption.
Exiting I-40 going West, exit on 388A.
C. Transportation Costs:
There are NO hotel courtesy/shuttle vans to Knoxville hotels.
Taxi cabs are approximately $30-$35 one way.
Q. Is parking available at the hotel?
Yes. Our contract exempts our guests from paying the parking fee. When checking in make sure that the parking fee is NOT to be included on your final bill.
Q. What if I want to drive my RV?
Hotel parking fees have been deleted, including the $25 for motor coaches. Smaller RVs can park on the street level parking area. There are no hook-ups. There are no RV camps close to the downtown area. Suggest members use their traditional methods of booking an RV camp.
Convention Check-in
Q. What should I do when I arrive at the hotel?
When you arrive, check in at the hotel desk, and then look for the Association’s convention registration tables in the hotel lobby. Sign in and pick up your “welcome packet.”
Q. What is your refund policy?
In the event a registered member/guest is unable to attend the Convention, all paid fees will be refunded without penalty. Last-minute cancellations of tours may not be refunded since the tour bus/company will not issue refunds.
At the Convention
Q. What should I wear?
The dress code is casual for all events except the banquet, where men are encouraged to wear coats and ties and the ladies to dress accordingly.
Depending on your evening plans, you might want to pack casual wear or a more formal outfit. Also, be sure to check the weather forecast in Knoxville before you leave. The average high temperature in Knoxville in September is 70-80 degrees, and the average low is 60-65 degrees.
Q. Where is the hospitality room?
This is where we gather to talk about the good 'ol days, share stories, have cocktails or other beverages, and have a great time. The AF Comm & ATC Hospitality Room will be in the hotel's Dogwood & Mountain Laurel Rooms, 2nd Floor (one room is overflow) and will be officially opened at Noon (or shortly thereafter) on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013.
Q. This is my first convention. Are there any special events for newcomers?
You are central to the growth of the Air Force Communicators and Air Traffic Controllers Association, and we extend ourselves to you. There will be a newcomers’ introduction in the hospitality room on Thursday and Friday evenings and at the Saturday morning business meeting. Your name tag will reflect your newcomer status and you should expect members to welcome you to our group.
Q. Should I attend the business meeting listed in the program?
The Business Meeting is mandatory for members and optional for guests. However, if the full registration fee ($85) was paid, it includes the buffet breakfast at the business meeting. Our meeting offers many advantages. It covers information on what our Association has been doing and will do in the coming year and information on the 2014 reunion. It is a good place to meet new people.
Q. How is banquet seating managed?
All Banquet Seating will be assigned ahead of time. Seating assignments will be designated by Table # (maximum of 8 per table). If you want to sit with someone (or a couple), make sure they are coming. Then E-mail Hank at DirAACS@comcast.net and he will try to make it happen.
Q. How should I organize my time at the convention?
Q. Where are churches located in case I want to attend Sunday services?
For information on churches, visit http://www.downtownknoxville.org/visitors/churches
General information
Q. When and where is the annual convention this year?
Air Force Communicators and Air Traffic Controllers Association will hold its annual convention this year in Knoxville, Tennessee, from Wednesday, September 18, 2013 through Sunday, September 22, 2013. Wednesday is early check-in and Sunday is the farewell breakfast.
Q. How do I make my hotel reservations?
You can call the Holiday Inn Downtown World's Fair Park directly at 1-865-522-2800. Be sure to tell them you're with the AF Comm Group or use Group code "ATC". You can register by visiting the hotel web site: http://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/knoxville/tysec/hoteldetail?groupCode=ATC . Enter your arrival and departure dates and number of guests on the left side of the screen, click on "view rates" and follow the prompts on the next screen.
Register early!
Q. How do I register for the convention?
You can register by printing the registration form online (see link under "2013 Convention") or from the April Communicator, complete it and return via mail to convention host, Richard Sauer, 111 Carson Lane, Oak Ridge, TN 37830-7626, but not later than Sept 2, 2013. Register early!
Q. Can my partner, child, or family member accompany me at convention?
Absolutely! Our annual convention, for many members, is a family affair. Our convention has many social aspects. Your family members or friends do not need to pay the registration fee if they do not plan on attending breakfasts, the banquet or visiting the hospitality room. If a family member wants to attend the banquet and have access to the hospitality room, a Banquet-Only-Fee of $45 per person has been set to include the cost of the banquet meal and access to the Hospitality Room.
Q. Where can I find more information regarding transportation, restaurants and activities in Knoxville?
There are many great Web sites for visitors to Knoxville. A couple of recommended sites are below:
http://www.downtownknoxville.org/
http://www.knoxville.org/about-visitknoxville/
http://www.knoxville.org/play/
Q. What is the best way to get from the airport to the convention hotel?
A. Driving directions: Northbound on I-75 (from Atlanta): Take I-75 North to junction with I-40 East; take I-40 East to Exit 388 (Downtown) and follow signs to Henley Street (US 441). After exiting the tunnel onto Henley Street, turn right at first traffic light (Clinch Avenue). Parking lot entrance gate is immediately on the right Southbound on I-75 (from Lexington): Take I-75 South to I-275 South; take I-40/US 441 Exit and follow signs to Henley Street (US 441). After exiting the tunnel onto Henley Street, turn right at first traffic light (Clinch Avenue). Parking lot entrance gate is immediately on the right Eastbound on I-40 (from Nashville): Take I-40 East to Exit 388 (Downtown) and follow signs to Henley Street (US 441). After exiting the tunnel onto Henley Street, turn right at first traffic light (Clinch Avenue). Parking lot entrance gate is immediately on the right. Westbound on I-40 (from Asheville): Merge onto TN-158 W/James White Parkway via exit 388A toward US -441S/Downtown/University of Tennessee. Take Summit Hill Drive exit. Turn right onto Summit Hill Drive SE. Turn left onto Henley Street. SW/US-441S/TN-33/TN-71S.
B. By rental car:
From McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
- Distance: 13.7 mi SOUTH WEST to Hotel
- Taxi Charge (one way): $35
- Take US Hwy 129N toward Knoxville, approx 12 miles; Exit right to I40 E toward Asheville/Lexington, approx 1 mile; Take exit 388 for US Hwy 441 S, Henley St. Hotel is at the first traffic signal on the right.
More detailed directions:
Leaving airport to Knoxville (for Holiday Inn Downtown)
Merge right onto Alcoa Highway US 129N
Continue straight onto TN-115N/US-129N Alcoa Hwy
Keep right at the fork; follow signs for I-40 East/I-275 North/Ashville/Lexington
Keep left at the fork and merge onto I-40 East (use caution as lanes for off-ramps are on right)
Take exit 388 for US-441S/HENLEY ST, Downtown
Keep left at fork. Merge to right lane. Hotel will be first light on the right. Parking is hard right at light.
Hote Registration parking is along the right. If full, you can go under the hotel canopy and park.
After registration, your room key is used for entrance and exiting the Hotel
Parking area (there is no charge for parking. Be sure to tell clerk we have a parking charge exemption.
Exiting I-40 going West, exit on 388A.
C. Transportation Costs:
There are NO hotel courtesy/shuttle vans to Knoxville hotels.
Taxi cabs are approximately $30-$35 one way.
Q. Is parking available at the hotel?
Yes. Our contract exempts our guests from paying the parking fee. When checking in make sure that the parking fee is NOT to be included on your final bill.
Q. What if I want to drive my RV?
Hotel parking fees have been deleted, including the $25 for motor coaches. Smaller RVs can park on the street level parking area. There are no hook-ups. There are no RV camps close to the downtown area. Suggest members use their traditional methods of booking an RV camp.
Convention Check-in
Q. What should I do when I arrive at the hotel?
When you arrive, check in at the hotel desk, and then look for the Association’s convention registration tables in the hotel lobby. Sign in and pick up your “welcome packet.”
Q. What is your refund policy?
In the event a registered member/guest is unable to attend the Convention, all paid fees will be refunded without penalty. Last-minute cancellations of tours may not be refunded since the tour bus/company will not issue refunds.
At the Convention
Q. What should I wear?
The dress code is casual for all events except the banquet, where men are encouraged to wear coats and ties and the ladies to dress accordingly.
Depending on your evening plans, you might want to pack casual wear or a more formal outfit. Also, be sure to check the weather forecast in Knoxville before you leave. The average high temperature in Knoxville in September is 70-80 degrees, and the average low is 60-65 degrees.
Q. Where is the hospitality room?
This is where we gather to talk about the good 'ol days, share stories, have cocktails or other beverages, and have a great time. The AF Comm & ATC Hospitality Room will be in the hotel's Dogwood & Mountain Laurel Rooms, 2nd Floor (one room is overflow) and will be officially opened at Noon (or shortly thereafter) on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013.
Q. This is my first convention. Are there any special events for newcomers?
You are central to the growth of the Air Force Communicators and Air Traffic Controllers Association, and we extend ourselves to you. There will be a newcomers’ introduction in the hospitality room on Thursday and Friday evenings and at the Saturday morning business meeting. Your name tag will reflect your newcomer status and you should expect members to welcome you to our group.
Q. Should I attend the business meeting listed in the program?
The Business Meeting is mandatory for members and optional for guests. However, if the full registration fee ($85) was paid, it includes the buffet breakfast at the business meeting. Our meeting offers many advantages. It covers information on what our Association has been doing and will do in the coming year and information on the 2014 reunion. It is a good place to meet new people.
Q. How is banquet seating managed?
All Banquet Seating will be assigned ahead of time. Seating assignments will be designated by Table # (maximum of 8 per table). If you want to sit with someone (or a couple), make sure they are coming. Then E-mail Hank at DirAACS@comcast.net and he will try to make it happen.
Q. How should I organize my time at the convention?
- First priority: Visit the hospitality room often and get to know other members of the Association.
- Review the Schedule of Events. These programs will appeal to a large cross-section of convention attendees. These are great social opportunities.
- Don’t forget to have fun! The host has arranged several social events/tours as part of the overall convention experience. Each tour offers a good place to meet with friends or to make new ones.
- Have fun! Set aside some time to explore Knoxville’s many attractions. Knoxville’s cuisine, historical tours, shopping, and other events will compete for your time.
Q. Where are churches located in case I want to attend Sunday services?
For information on churches, visit http://www.downtownknoxville.org/visitors/churches