Which airports are close to the Crystal Gateway Marriott?
• Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) – 1 mile W
• Dulles International Airport: (IAD) – 25 miles SW
• Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) – 55 miles SE
Transportation to and from the airports?
• From Reagan Washington National Airport: 1 – The Crystal Gateway Marriott has a complimentary shuttle to and from Reagan Washington National Airport from 6:05 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Pickup locations are the A Gates and Doors 5 and 9, in the B and C Concourse Lower Level, 2 – about $11 US cab fare one-way, or 3 – one stop on the subway
• From Dulles International Airport: about $60 US cab fare one-way. No shuttle service.
• From Baltimore/Washington International Airport: about $65 US cab fare one-way and is a slightly less busy airport than Dulles. No shuttle service.
When does the conference begin and what time should I arrive?
The Opening Ceremony of Light begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug 14th. Hotel check-in time is 4:00 p.m. It is a good idea to arrive at the hotel the afternoon of the 14th so you can get your registration materials and settle into your room.
What is a good time to schedule my departing flight?
Thursday has a morning session only followed by lunch. Past experience has shown us that a 4:00 p.m. or later flight departure on Thursday, Aug 19th, will allow you to fully enjoy the closing ceremonies and the farewell luncheon.
When does registration start at the hotel?
• Registration for the World Congress will be August 14th from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom. The front desk will direct you to that location.
• There will be two more registration times in the evening for those arriving later. They will be next door to the meeting room, from 6:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. and for 30 minutes following the closing of the Opening Ceremony of Light.
• The registration table will also be open each morning for additional registrations. You will receive your program, name tag and meal tickets at registration.
What is the general format of the conference?
• Breakfast buffet is from 7:00 – 8:30 a.m. Our program runs each morning from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by a 2-hour lunch break.
• The afternoon session is from 2:00 p.m. to approximately 5:00 p.m. A half-hour break is scheduled each morning and afternoon. We have many wonderful speakers and musicians to enjoy throughout the week.
Is there any free time scheduled during the conference?
This year, since there are so many wonderful sites to enjoy in Washington D.C. we have arranged for the hotel to provide us with a box lunch on Tuesday following the “Morning Activity of Light" so we can go out, explore, and weave our energies into this powerful area.
Can I stay at a different hotel and still attend the conference?
By having all our attendees stay at the hotel with the room and meal package, we are able to pay for the large conference room needed for this important event. For this reason, in order to be fair to the people who are covering the expenses by staying at the resort, attendees are not allowed to stay at other hotels.
Can I get a schedule of the speakers and events that will be at the World Congress?
We do not promote the presenters at the World Congress on Illumination because this particular conference is not about the presenters. It is about fulfilling the mission. We do, however, always have very enlightened and dedicated presenters and musicians. This is a life-transforming event for everyone involved.
How can I arrange to stay at the Crystal Gateway Marriott hotel before or after the dates of the conference?
We will make all arrival and departure reservations with the hotel on your behalf. To contact us: phone - (520) 885-7909, email – pattcr1111@aol.com. PLEASE DO NOT call the hotel directly to change arrival and departure dates.
Can you tell me more about the meals?
As part of the package price of the World Congress on Illumination breakfast is included each day and either lunch or dinner, depending on our planned activities. All meals are vegetarian, but not vegan. Eggs and dairy are included. Please let us know in advance if you have special dietary requirements.
Are handicapped rooms available?
Yes, please contact The New Age Study of Humanity’s Purpose and we can arrange for special room requirements.
Other Hotel Information
• The hotel has a smoke-free policy
• Pets not allowed
• Iron and Ironing Board in-room
• Hair dryer in-room
• Coffee/tea in-room
• Laundry service or on-site coin operated
• High-speed Internet access ~ available for a daily rate of $12.95 US
• On-site parking, fee: $10.00 US hourly, $21.00 US daily
• Car Rental onsite: Hertz, 1-703-413-7142
Is there a dress code?
We suggest resort casual attire. The temperatures outside may be fairly warm. All indoor venues will be air-conditioned, and a sweater is sometimes desired since what is comfortable to one may be chilly to another. Wednesday evening will include music and dancing.
Do you accept all credit cards?
Yes, we accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.
What is your cancellation policy?
We accept cancellations up through Aug 4, 2010. There is a $200.00 nonrefundable processing fee for each cancelled registration and the rest of your payment will be refunded.
