Let me say at the outset how thankful I am to the BGCT for providing the scholarship funds for staying at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Houston. It was a spectacular place and one of the nicest I have ever stayed in. Having said that, I was disappointed with it on several counts.
When I got there was only one elevator was working so that was a pain–alas not the conventions fault.
Was disappointed to find out the hotel was just a tad over 1 mile away from the convention center complex. I thought it would be much closer and within walking distance. Hotel did not provide any shuttle to the convention center. One of the local churches took care of that. But it was, at least for me, infrequent in pickup and drop off times.
Was also disappointed that the Hyatt Regency charges you to park in thier garage!! One would think that was part of staying there. They charged $25 a day. You could park elsewhere but it was $15 a day and they charged you to come and go.
Got into Houston tired and hungry, so thought about having room service. The cheapest item on the menu would have cost me $15.00, which included room delivery of $3.50 plus 19% gratuity. Because of the elevator issue mentioned earlier it would take an hour and a half to deliver. So I just went to bed hungry.
Was afraid to “use” anything in the room, for fear they were gonna charge me for that. Thankfully they didn’t charge for using thier beautiful bathroom!
The convention attendence itself was down from the past. As mentioned before in earlier posts, none from my Association came. Several said they didn’t want to make the drive into Houston, or that it was too expensive. I understand that completely.
I did run into several friends from past conventions, but did notice it was poorly attended. High cost of gas, food and lodging may have played a big factor.
The two workshops I attended were full. One was Evangelism in the Small Church, with Cecil Deadman and the other was Care with Dr. Joel Gregory. Both were excellent and I enjoyed and gained much from each.
Opening session on Monday was great. The worship and preaching was excellent. The business portion went smoothly and were actually ahead of schedule. Afternoon session gets the same praise.
I ate at some one of provided vendors at the convention center. Didn’t want to hassle with going all the way back to the hotel and getting my car and driving to a place to eat. The vendors were overpriced and not much to eat. Had a coke and hotdog, and it cost almost ten dollars!! Was still hungry after but just couldn’t afford much more than that.
By evening on Monday,I was bushed and didn’t return for the evening session. Didn’t trust that the shuttle would be on time and frequent enough. So just walked to Subway and crashed for the evening.
Debated on attending the Tuesday morning session. Honestly my only draw to attending the morning sesssion was to hear Dr. George Mason. Again was skeptical about the transportation to and from the convention. Not only that I had to be checked out of hotel by noon. Plus I was to drive to Ft. Worth for a hospital visit. So I choose not to attend the morning session and instead take my time and drive up to Ft. Worth.
The “goody” displays were nice,but honestly, they are after attending the convention at least seven times, starting to look the same. I enjoy meeting people there more than anything else. Seeing old friends is what makes the exhibit hall nice.
So here is my complaint, it was all too expensive for this poor preacher. I had the budgeted money for it, but gee wiz, can we do this thing cheaper!! Most don’t come because of the expense. Or they just don’t care for the drive to far away places.
Understand that next year it will be in McAllen. I am debating on that trip. Talked to a pastor friend and we might car pool there. It is a good ten hour trip for us, but we can swap out the driving and that would be nice.
So BGCT you gotta find better places to meet that don’t eat us alive financially!! Hotel bills are ridiculous, dang I sound just like my dad. I might bring a camper next year. Depends on gas prices. I just hate paying so much for a room that you only use to sleep in.
Why not keep the convention in more central locations within the state? Less driving and more accomodating for the whole state.
Could the convention be streamlined to allow for more preaching and worship? Let’s be honest, by the time Tuesday rolls around for the annual sermon, attendance usually is pitiful. People that drove a long way, have to hit the road to get home in a reasonable hour.
I realize businees portions are a part of it, but can we place it differently? What about having a Preaching conference before or after? Just a thought.
In the ABC/USA, they meet biannually. And attendance at this events are greatly attended. Just wondering if that is feasible. Could have strictly business meetings in the alternating years, and have them at smaller venues.
Anyway those are my thoughts. I enjoy going to convention, just don’t like the drive to far away places and the high cost of the venues.