Frequently-asked questions.
Why is there so little mention of the hotel on the mail-in conference registration form … and none at all in on-line registration?
Reserving a room at the hotel is separate from Conference registration. You must make your own reservation, but do not use the chain’s (800) number. Instead, please call the Clarion Inn directly at its local number, (937) 832-1234. Mention HD&F when making your reservation to receive the special discount rate, unchanged since 2016, of $89 per night plus tax (unfortunately). One improvement this year is that the Clarion Inn has guaranteed our rates from 29 through 31 March. This was in response to several requests from attendees who wanted to stay over the Sunday after HD&F for sightseeing or to visit friends in the region.
I went to the hotel's Web site and noticed that rooms are sometimes available at a lower price than HD&F's guaranteed rates. Why?
At times because of special promotions, you may indeed reserve rooms at lower rates. However, such reservations often are nonrefundable. If you reserve a room at the HD&F rate and later find you cannot attend, you may cancel your reservation.
Exactly what does my registration fee include?
- All registrations include: the Friday evening Welcome Reception with wine, beer, soft drinks, and hors d’œuvres (you can make a light meal from them); Saturday coffee and tea service until noon; and Saturday luncheon. (Attendees who lodge at the Clarion will also have complimentary breakfast.)
- The Conference Banquet is extra. If you are coming with a spouse or friend who will not go to the Conference, he or she is welcome to attend the Banquet on Saturday evening upon purchase of a second Banquet admission. The event will be held at Company 7 BBQ, an award-winning restaurant an easy walk from the hotel. (There will be a shuttle, however.) Company 7’s most recent award (in early 2017) was being named one of the 37 best BBQ eateries in the USA … and the only one in Ohio! There will be a cash bar. Company 7 prides itself on a wide selection of craft beers, some locally brewed. (“Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your BBQ.” —BLUE [slightly modified])
Why is there an “early bird” discount?
People who register early help both us and the hotel better to plan for HD&F. We return the favor with an “early bird” discount. That discount will expire on 15 March 2019. The price of the Banquet, however, will remain the same.
I have never purchased anything on line. Will you guide me through the process?
- First and foremost, read the directions further up on this page.
- HD&F uses a secure service called “Pay Pal” for on-line registration. If you look carefully (as Sherlock Holmes would do), you will observe that registration and payment take place at Pay Pal’s Web site, not ours.
- Have a credit or debit card at hand. Pay Pal accepts all major cards. When paying, click on the “Pay Without a Pay Pal Account” option. (You wouldn’t be reading this if you have a Pay Pal account.) Pay Pal does all the arithmetic for you.
- Your registration takes the form of an imaginary “shopping cart.” After making a selection, you may either click the “Continue Shopping” button at the top right (for example, to register someone else or buy another Banquet admission) or proceed to the checkout.
- You can inspect the contents of your “cart” at any time by scrolling to the bottom of the on-line registration form and clicking the “View Cart” button. (It may appear in a different position if you use a small tablet or smart phone, especially if you’re holding it in the so-called “portrait” [short side up] position.) If you have made a mistake or changed your mind about something, you may add or remove items from your “cart.”
Speaker or Presenter Registration—Please consult Mr. Andriacco.
For 2019, we’ve instituted a new procedure. First and foremost, Dan Andriacco, the Program Chairman, must accept your presentation. Click on the blue button below to bring up the Speakers’ Guide. This will have information on how to contact Mr. Andriacco and submit a précis (summary) of your talk. Also let Mr. Andriacco know if you’ll need Power Point. (For more detailed audiovisual technical information, see the Speakers’ Guide.) If your proposal is accepted, Mr. Andriacco will handle registration and your luncheon (please let him know what your menu choice is). One exception: if you plan to be both a Speaker and a Vendor, register and pay as a Vendor. Among other things, this tells us how many tables to reserve. If Mr. Andriacco accepts your talk but Vendor space sells out, don’t worry — your Vendor’s fee will be refunded but you’ll remain on the Program. Register for the hotel and the Saturday Evening Banquet (if you plan to attend the Banquet) on your own.
New for 2019 …
For 2019, the traditional Friday evening Welcome Reception will be held at the Airport Clarion Inn, not a nearby hotel. This brings us closer to our ultimate goal of holding HD&F in one location. Also, the special HD&F hotel rate is now guaranteed through the 31st because of several attendees’ requests to stay over the Sunday following the event for sightseeing or to visit friends in the region.
Vendor Registration: $50—includes an “early bird” discount that will expire on 15 March 2019.
If you have merchandise to sell, select this option, which includes one 6-foot display table. Vendors requiring more than one table for their merchandise may rent an extra one (see the next option). This registration fee includes the Friday evening Welcome Reception and a box lunch with several menu choices. Click anywhere on the first selection (“Croissant Club Sandwich”) and the others will appear. Select the one you prefer. If you plan to be both a Vendor and a Presenter (Speaker), there is no need for a second registration. One fee takes care of both, but register as a Vendor, since that tells us how many tables we shall need. Please also read the Speakers’ Guide (see above). Since Vendor space sold out the last two years, try to register early.
Extra Table: $25
The one table included in your Vendor Registration Fee should suffice for most Vendors. However, if you have an extraordinary variety of merchandise, click on the “Add to Cart” button just below to rent another 6' table. Because Vendor space sold out in 2017 and ’18, we cannot rent more than one extra table (for a total of two) per Vendor.
Saturday Evening Banquet: $20 Per Person
Saturday luncheon is included in your Registration fee, but the Saturday evening Banquet is an optional extra. If you come with someone who (heaven forbid!) will not attend the Conference, he or she is welcome to attend the buffet Banquet. If you are buying admission for more than one person, for example, yourself and your spouse, click on the “Quantity” window (next to the price), then specify how many Banquet admissions you need. There will be a cash bar at the Banquet.
General Registration: $60 Per Person—Includes an “early bird” discount that will expire on 15 March 2019.
This is the option most attendees will choose. Do not take it if you are a Presenter (Speaker) or a Vendor. Your registration includes the Friday evening Welcome Reception and a box lunch on Saturday, for which you have several menu choices. Click anywhere on the first selection (“Croissant Club Sandwich”) and the others will appear. Select the one you prefer, then click on the “Add to Cart” button. If you are registering for more than one person (a spouse or a friend), please go through the process again unless your companion has the same luncheon menu choice as you. If so, merely check the proper number in the “Quantity” box. Continue to scroll down if you are a Speaker (Presenter) or Vendor.
… or register and pay on line!
Follow instructions below. All major credit cards accepted. If you are not familiar with the on-line registration process, please read the instructions at the very bottom of this page.
2019 Registration is Now OPEN.
The 2018 HD&F had a record attendance of over fifty!
The “Helpful Details” document covers such things as the airport shuttle, driving directions, nearby churches and restaurants, local weather, and sightseeing. It has been updated for 2019.