Pilgrims Inn at the Cove – It currently looks as though we will be staying in Pilgrims Inn on campus. Pilgrims Inn is the first hotel coming up the mountain. You’ll go through the security gate, continue up the mountain and the entrance is on your left, marked by a sign. Please park your car in the lot. You may arrive as early as 11 a.m. and thanks to some spiffy work at the Cove YOU WILL BE ABLE TO GET CHECKED INTO YOUR ROOM. Proceed to the Pilgrims Inn lobby and meet our conference care representatives who will give you your conference materials and have you sign the liability release. All conferees, including off-campus conferees, will come here first to get your name badge which gains you access to the Training Center building. Then you can go to the desk in the lobby and get your room key.
Rooms will be assigned when you check-in at Pilgrims Inn. REMEMBER, even if you have a key, you CANNOT enter the room until 11:00 a.m. Your key will NOT OPEN THE DOOR until 11 a.m. You will check-in when you arrive with our staff, then get your room key. SAY THANKS TO THE LADIES AT THE COVE FOR PUSHING THIS TO THE FOREFRONT FOR YOU.
There is a bus that runs every 6 minutes or so and it will pick you up and take you to the training center, one building away.
Parking – If you are staying at Pilgrims Inn, you will park in that parking lot. If you are off-campus and driving up, you may go to the parking area across from the Training Center building.
Transportation to the main building – REPEAT HERE – The Cove provides a bus to transport us the two blocks up the mountain to the Training Center building. The bus runs all day about every 6-10 minutes. Make your plans accordingly so you are not late. All meals and our conference is held at the Training Center, so you’ll want to adjust your time to be sure you aren’t late. The buses are wonderful, the drivers are amazing. And it’s really only a quick 2-minute ride to the main building. (If you walk – take an inhaler :) – it’s a steep grade) lol.
*Arrival time is noon, Friday, February 26 at 11:00 a.m. Please DO NOT arrive any earlier. You will not be allowed onto the property or you will be directed to the Chapel until 11:00 a.m. YOU WILL NOT be able to get into your room. We’ve worked in ample time for you to check into your hotel later in the day if you need it, after the early bird classes. If you are being dropped off, you may leave your bags in the Pilgrims Lobby.
Our staff will arrive early to set up. I appreciate all those who want to help us, but our faculty and staff have things under control. We got it covered. You enjoy the conference. AGAIN, DO NOT ARRIVE BEFORE 11 a.m.
*ALL CONFEREES (Including Off-Campus) Go to Pilgrims Inn check in with our staff and then to the hotel after 11 a.m. – there’s time after the early bird classes for you to get into your room physically. (Have you read this once before...yep, you have.) The Cove is cleaning and preparing your rooms early. Be patient. You’ll get your name badge from our Conference Care Representatives. AGAIN, if you are being dropped off, you may leave your suitcase inside the hotel in a corner. It will be safe. BUT ONLY IF YOU ARE BEING DROPPED OFF.
*REPEAT: EVERYONE receives your name badge Pilgrims Inn. (You must wear your badge at all times while at the Cove. This is your security pass and your meal pass.) Pin on your badge and head directly to the Training Center via bus. Without your name badge you will not be able to enter the Training Building which is where our conference is.
*Dress is casual – Jeans and sweaters are fine. Dress modestly and warm. We want you comfortable and we want to be comfortable when we look at you. But do keep in mind you are at the Cove and though they don’t require you to be dressed to the hilt, they do require you be presentable. So be modest. Dress comfortably and not slouchy. Shoes are required (it will more than likely be chilly…doubt you want to freeze your toes.)
*Let’s be neat – In this world of “easy”, it’s very EASY to leave your trash behind. I encourage you to be kind. We are at the Cove under the name of Christian Devotions. Take time to clean up after yourself. The Cove is wonderful to provide, what we lovingly call, the eternal feeding trough. You can get soft drinks, water, and coffee, not to mention ice cream, anytime at no additional charge to you. Thank them by cleaning up your cups and spoons.
You will find the staff at the Cove is wonderful. They are kind and more than willing to help you in anyway. Be kind in return.
*Print before you arrive – Please print anything you will need prior to arriving at the Cove. We do NOT have printing services at the Cove. If you think you may need something printed – print it at home and bring it with you. In fact, bring two of everything. Be professional and prepared. Print any writing work you will use for appointments.
*FOR EARLY BIRD CLASSES – Go to the main auditorium –Once inside the main building, pass the beautiful fireplace and make a right. You must have your badge to go in.
*Welcome to the Asheville Christian Writers Conference! You’ll be greeted by the lovely and loving, staff. Kevin Spencer, Bennie and Eddie Jones, Scott McCausey, Wendy Leech, and Cindy Sproles.
*Be sure you receive your conference name tag, mask, pen, and schedule from Pilgrims Inn. Our staff will have you sign the liability and covid release. They are there to welcome you in, talk with you, pray with you, and make your stay at the conference glitch-free. Scott McCausey will provide our recording services this weekend. Wendy Leech will be helping you make a deposit for 2020, and help you purchase MP3s. Bennie Jones and Kevin Spencer will be in charge of the bookstore. Sarah Thomas has managed our book contest (AND AMAZINGLY, I MIGHT ADD). They’ll help you with those purchases. Eddie Jones and I will be there to welcome you into the ministry of Christian Devotions and our faculty will be wandering around. They will be spread out through our tables at mealtimes, so join them and enjoy a meal. They are eager to meet you and chat.
Our worship will be different this year. We ask that when you enter the main auditorium you will enter quietly. Spend some time in prayer preparing your heart for the weekend, enjoy the beautiful music of Rich Mullins and Andrew Petersen.
*Early Bird classes begin at 1:00 – But our teachers understand folks are arriving at various times. So quietly go in and become a part of the class.
*Please be sure to sign a liability/covid release form. We will have these at check-in and you arrive for early bird classes. Below is the release so you can read it in advance. We must have this signed per the Cove. If you do not agree, you cannot attend the conference. It’s an insurance thing!
Liability Release Form
To: Christian Devotion Ministries
From: [Participant’s Name] _____________________________ Date: February 26,2021
Dates of Event(s): February 26-28, 2021
Event Name: Asheville Christian Writers Conference
In exchange for receiving permission to participate in the event organized by Christian Devotion Ministries, I, for myself and my family, heirs, executors, and representatives agree to the following:
*I assume the risk of any harm or injury that may occur as a result of, or in connection with, my participation in the Event(s).
*I accept full responsibility for myself, my actions, and my possessions while participating in the Event(s).
*I release Christian Devotion Ministries, The Cove, The Billy Graham Training Center, their members, officers, employees, agents, staff, faculty, and volunteers from any and all liability, costs, damages, or other claims that may occur as a result of, or in connection with, my participation in the Event(s).
*I give my consent for Christian Devotion Ministries, its members, officers, employees, agents, staff, faculty, and volunteers to assist me in the event of an emergency, including seeking emergency medical treatment on my behalf and I agree to accept financial responsibility for the costs related to any medical treatment.
*I agree to conduct myself and behave in a Christian manner, treating all individuals with respect, consideration, and charity, at all times during my participation in the Event(s). I agree to refrain from any behavior that is threatening, violent, aggressive, or sexually or morally improper.
*I agree to report to Christian Devotion Ministries any behavior by others that I witness that does not meet this standard.
*I understand that if I engage in inappropriate behavior or fail to report inappropriate behavior that I witness, I may be asked to end my participation in the Event, and if asked, I agree to abide by the decision.
By signing below, I represent that I understand and agree to the foregoing statements:
Participant’s Signature Date
*After things wind down in the evening, many of our conferees meet in the lobby of the hotel and chat. In fact, we encourage you to spend time with one another. We also ask that small groups meet in the lobby of the hotel rather than in one person’s room. This is a safety issue as well as a noise issue. We love for you to enjoy your writing peers. We simply ask you keep the noise down for those who choose to rest. Off-campus folks are welcome to stop by Pilgrims Inn and visit.
*Please clean up after yourself – If you use a cup or napkin, please dispose of them. Don’t leave them in the cup holders inside the meeting room.
*APPOINTMENT SIGN UP – Please, please, do not forget you are human and turn into a trampling stampede. There will be plenty of space for you to make an appointment with the faculty member you wish to speak with. If you miss one, share a meal table and chat there. Terri Kelly will explain the process to you after Friday Supper. WHICH TELLS YOU – Signups are after our main session Friday night.
QUESTION CENTER – If you have questions ask Wendy Leech or Andrea Merrell. They have a radio to contact me if they cannot answer your questions. Please do not bog down our bookstore staff with questions. They have their hands full just consigning books and setting up the bookstore so you can glean and shop Friday night, Saturday, and early Sunday morning. Actually, if you’re patient, we’ll answer all your questions on Friday night. I promise.
WHERE ARE CLASSES HELD? – We inhabit the main auditorium. Our bookstore, appointments, and mentoring are on level one. Take the elevator down one level or take the big staircase. Easy to find. There is only one way to the meeting rooms.
PRINT BEFORE YOU ARRIVE – We do not have the ability for you to print documents at the Cove. We are not paying for that service. Please print all you need to print PRIOR to your arrival at the Cove. WE CANNOT PRINT DOCUMENTS FOR YOU.
PROPER ETIQUETTE FOR APPOINTMENTS – We practice the hummingbird hover. 15 minutes will pass quickly, and we want everyone to get their time fairly. If you arrive at your appointment and it is TIME for your appointment, just nicely walk up behind the person seated with the faculty member so you can make eye contact with the faculty member. This gives them the cue it’s time for your appointment. Our faculty tries their best to stay on time with their phones, but occasionally we get one of those people who refuses to stop talking. Your hummingbird hover allows the faculty member an “out”. And if you’re the one in the seat, be polite and end your appointment time. Chat with the faculty member during a meal or in line at the dining hall, or in the lobby.
GIVE US GRACE – We have no control over the speed of the internet at the Cove. Rest assured we have tested our computers and our charge card machines. But we cannot control the bandwidth at the Cove. Sometimes it grinds down to a snail’s pace. Give us grace. We’re doing the best we can. If you want to jot your card number, expiration, code on the back, and zip code down on a sheet of paper and give it to the staff along with your purchase, they will return that paper to you in your bag with your purchase. Otherwise, know we are working hard to move as quickly as possible.
WORSHIP IS NOT RECORDED – This is a copyright issue.
All you really have to do – is enjoy! Purchase the mp3s and get ALL THE CLASSES. The website will house all the handouts if there is one for a class. You will have all you need once you get home to continue your learning. Be sure to print your handouts.
