FOR GROUPS AND MEMBERS 2010 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions
The 2010 International Convention will celebrate A.A.’s 75th Anniversary, July 1-4, in San Antonio, Texas. Members of the Fellowship, as always, are now gearing up for this wonderful event and the General Service Office is beginning to receive inquiries. So here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding the Convention.
Registration
Q How much will registration cost?
A Preregistration ended on May 17. Registration will continue online until the week of June 21. Click here to go to the online registration site. The registration fee is $110.00 (USD).
Q What about on-site registration?
A On-site registration will be set up in the Convention Center. Registration will open on Wednesday morning, June 30, 2010.
Q Must everyone register? I thought I didn’t have to pay to go to an A.A. event.
A Yes. Everyone must register. Attendance at this special celebration is voluntary and, as responsible A.A. members, “we pay our own way.” The International Convention is paid for by those A.A.s who participate in it.
Q Can travel agents register groups or individuals?
A Payments from travel agencies to register groups will not be accepted. Individuals must register themselves.
Weather
Q Isn’t it hot in San Antonio?
A With 300 days of sunshine a year, San Antonio is a warm destination year round. On average, July is the warmest month, with average highs around 96º degrees Fahrenheit and evening lows around 74º Fahrenheit. Be prepared for hot temperatures outdoors. But as hot as it is outdoors, be prepared for cool temperatures indoors—the air conditioning will be on!
Transportation
Q Will there be a shuttle system?
A Yes. Detailed flyers will be available onsite with shuttle bus route information and daily schedules.
In the downtown core, shuttle service will be provided from pickup points near downtown hotels, but plan on walking the short distance to the Convention Center and the Alamodome. The wait for the bus may be longer than the walk to the Convention Center!
In the outlying areas, we will be providing shuttle service to specific hotels. All of the hotels coordinated through the Convention Housing Bureau will be included in the shuttle system. All housing blocked for this event is less than a 30-minute shuttle bus ride from the Convention Center and Stadium. Click here to view shuttle routes.
Q What about special airline rates?
A As at other International Conventions, there will be special fares available. Discounts are also available on car rentals and train fares. Information about airfare and car rental discounts are available in the Registration Brochure. For specifics about train fare discounts, Click here.
International Travelers
Q Where can I find information about crossing the border into the U.S. for this event?
A If you are coming from abroad you may need a visa. For specific, accurate and up-to-date information about visas and travel to the U.S., visit the United States Department of State Web site http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html. The site shares that most Canadian citizens and many citizens of countries in the United States Visa Waiver Program (VWP) do not need a visa. However, you will need a machine readable passport valid for at least 90 days past your date of departure.
The VWP countries are: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
If you do not come from a VWP country you must obtain a nonimmigrant visa. Plan ahead; it may take six months to receive a nonimmigrant visa, depending on the demand in your country.
We hope to see you in San Antonio to celebrate
75 years of carrying the message of Alcoholics Anonymous!