Have you ever wondered....
Every year these issues are brought up at the convention. The Convention Committee hopes that these answers will help you understand the concerns in putting together a convention of this size.
Why isn't XYZ Exhibitor attending the convention?
OCHEC mails out over 700 exhibitor invitations. The convention committee accepts 97% of
the exhibitor applications. The few that are not accepted as exhibitors are usually due to
lack of space, or the exhibitor does not directly relate to home education. If your
favorite exhibitor does not attend the OCHEC convention, we recommend that you write to
them and ask them to attend. Also, many exhibitors do not attend a convention unless they
are speaking. The convention committee would be happy to consider these workshops, but the
committee cannot track down every exhibitor who gives workshops.
The Cox Convention Center prices for food are too expensive. Can you change that?
OCHEC has no control over the prices charged by the convention center vendors. Prices are
set by a contract between vendors and the city. Concerns of this nature need to be
directed to SMG Management Company and the city of Oklahoma City.
Isn't there anywhere else to have the convention?
OCHEC has considered other places to have the convention. Not many facilities in our area,
however, are designed to handle the number of people and exhibitors who attend the
convention over two days. A convention such as ours mandates that a facility have a great
number of support staff, both paid and volunteer, parking facilities, and restroom
facilities. The OCHEC convention also requires adequate space for: four to six workshops,
each drawing 50 to 200 people; a keynote session that seats at least 800; a roomy exhibit
hall; a lunchroom; and a children's program. Even though the convention itself is only
open for two days, set-up for the convention begins Wednesday night, and clean-up takes
over 12 hours-with the help of a full staff. Most churches do not want to have 3000 people
in their buildings the day before their services. If you have suggestions for another
place to hold the convention, please contact the OCHEC office.
The parking is awful.
Parking is indeed limited in downtown Oklahoma City. It is important to realize that the
parking system is used by many other organizations, as well as by people who regularly
park downtown. Our convention is one of a very few that is able to offer coupons for
reduced-price parking, so we have to contend with the situation. If you are from out-of
town, one way to avoid parking difficulties is to stay in a hotel off I-40 that offers
trolley service to the convention center. For local attendees, please check the
bus/trolley schedule for more convenient parking (235-RIDE).
How can I be effective in making changes to the convention?
Send in your evaluation form and/or join the convention committee. Major decisions for the
convention are always discussed within the committee, and the more voices that we hear,
the better we can meet the needs of everyone-attendees, exhibitors, and volunteers.
Why are you charging for children this year?
We assure you that the decision to charge admission prices for a wider age range of
children was not made rashly. Included in this decision was concern for the safety and
security of children attending the convention and the desire to help children avoid the
trauma of becoming separated from their families in a large, unfamiliar place, a scenario
that unfortunately happened several times last year. It is not our intent to separate
family members; rather, we want to strengthen families by encouraging the opportunity for
parents to attend the convention without responsibility, allowing them to be more informed
and focused in their desire to home educate.
This convention will focus on equipping parents to do their best in training their
children spiritually, academically, socially, and emotionally. Please plan to come with
the expectation of being blessed and encouraged as you perform your primary ministry in
this stage of life-that of raising godly children for the Lord.
Parents, make the Home Educators' Convention a get-away weekend for the two of you.
Several hotels are offering special discounted rates for our attendees.
I want to hear a certain speaker. Can you get him to come to the convention?
Again, turn in your evaluation form with those ideas. It helps the committee to have a
point of reference, either a company or the phone number. We cannot track down every
speaker who is available, but we do try to invite those who are of interest to our
attendees. Please remember that there are approximately five homeschool conventions across
the nation on any given weekend, so if we don't book early enough, it can take two to
three years to secure a particular speaker/exhibitor.
Why can't my mother come in place of my spouse?
OCHEC believes that with parents rests the sole responsibility for the care, training, and
education of children (Deuteronomy 6: 4-9). Authority for such training can be delegated
to other forms of education; however, the ultimate responsibility for this education
remains with the parent.
Why aren't there more exhibitors?
As stated previously, OCHEC does accept 97% of the exhibitors that apply for booth space
at our convention. In order to grow, however, we need to be able to fill one complete row
with exhibitors, recognizing that adding just four to five booth spaces will not cover the
additional charges that come with placing booths on the floor plan. As more people attend
the convention in Oklahoma City and as those people support our exhibitors with their
purchases, more exhibitors will want to attend.
If you have comments or wish to be involved in the convention planning, please email staff@ochec.com