by Alycia W. Morales @AlyciaMorales

As we count down the final days until we gather at the Ridgecrest Conference Center for the 2020 BRMCWC, many have had questions about what to expect and how things will work. Not only are there many of you who are new to the conference, there are many of you who feel like newbies because you will be virtual conferencing instead of attending in person this year. And that’s new for all of us.

In this post, I hope to answer some of the recurring questions we’ve been receiving and try to relieve some of the anxieties and pre-conference jitters we’re experiencing. Which, by the way, are natural. You are not alone in them!

Can I still register for the conference?

Yes! If you would like to attend the in-person conference, please be sure to CALL RIDGECREST AT 800.588.7222 BEFORE FRIDAY. If you try to register online, you will likely be sent to Zoom. Please contact the conference center to register.

I registered for the virtual conference but have nothing except a confirmation email. Am I missing something? Where are all the details?

First, if you registered for the virtual conference, you should have received a confirmation email for your reservation. Within that email is a link to a digital pass account that you must create a login for. That is how you will access the live streams throughout the conference.

Second, once you have created your digital pass account, you should receive another email. This will have instructions on how to register for your one virtual appointment with a faculty member.

Third, expect a final email from me on or before this Friday that will include the information you need about your virtual faculty appointment. Please note that these appointments will take place AFTER the in-person conference. Faculty are not required to meet with you before then, as they will be focused on in-person meetings throughout the upcoming conference week. 

Please do not be offended. Consider this an opportunity to better prepare for that appointment. Fine tune your pitch. Look over your one sheet one more time. Come up with three more questions you’d love to have answered. And please work with the faculty member’s schedule when solidifying your appointment time with them. 

Fourth, the schedule for the virtual conference can be found here. There are links at the top so that you can print out a Word document or PDF. You may also scroll down to read it on the site page.

Fifth, all information concerning the virtual conference should be available in your digital pass account. If you experience any technical difficulties over the week, please refer to the information in your digital pass account for tech support.

I’m attending the conference in person. What should I pack to bring with me?

Click here for a downloadable PDF packing list made just for you! ☺

What about in-person conference appointments with faculty?

We are still having our faculty appointments at the in-person conference. Sunday night we will fill you in on all the details on how to sign up for those. There is no pre-conference registration for in-person conference appointments. That was only for the virtual attendees. I promise you are not missing out.

Will I be able to watch the Awards Ceremony on Wednesday night if I am not in attendance?

Yes! We will be live streaming The Selah Awards via YouTube this year. Here is your shareable link to watch with friends and family: https://youtu.be/dQeaEeC1VxY

What precautions is Ridgecrest taking concerning the virus?

There are a few things to expect when arriving at the conference center this year:

One, they will be taking your temperature upon arrival.

Two, you will be required to sign a waiver form stating that you have not had symptoms of the virus, just as you would at the doctor’s office and other places.

Three, you will be required to wear a mask at all times on campus with the exceptions of when seated for class, when at your cafeteria table and eating, and when alone in your private room.

Four, Ridgecrest, like many other establishments, has cleaning and disinfecting protocols in place.

We ask that you social distance and respect others’ space throughout the week.

We greatly appreciate your consideration and are praying we can provide you with the best conference experience in the midst of all the craziness we’ve faced this year. If you are joining us virtually, thank you for opting for our online conference experience! If you are joining us in person on Sunday, we look forward to seeing you there!

Alycia W. Morales is an award-winning freelance editor and author. Her clients have won the Selah Award, BRMCWC Director’s Choice Award, and many others. Her writing has been published in Thriving Family magazine, Splickety Love, and several compilation books. She is a member of ACFW, the president of Cross n’ Pens critique group, and a BRMCWC Conference Assistant.

When she isn’t busy writing, editing, and reading, Alycia enjoys spending time with her husband and four children taking hikes in Upstate SC and NC, creating various crafts, coloring in adult coloring books, and watching TV.

Alycia blogs at The Write Editing and Life. Inspired. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.