by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

The 2017 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference is almost here. We expect this to be a banner year and know that having each of you with us will make it extra special.

We want to make certain you know what to expect, so this is an overview of the week-long schedule and information. Even if you’ve been with us in the past, please read through for this year’s changes.

Upon Arrival

Sunday afternoon starts off strong as you enter Pritchell Hall and check in. You’ll see well-known faculty, old friends, and new ones that you’ve met online. Standing in line it’s expected that you’ll get to know those around you. Ask questions and help those who seem nervous feel welcome, even if it’s your first time.

When you check in, you’ll receive your name badge and lanyard, your meal card, and your room key. And you’ll also receive … a really cool tri-fold version of the schedule that will tuck neatly into your name badge! I’ve seen the proof, and it looks great.

At 3:30, in the Jim Henry Auditorium faculty member Michelle Cox will be conducting an orientation session. This is a MUST DO for those who’ve never attended. She’ll give you all the information you need and help you feel at home immediately.

After that you’re free until supper. That begins at 5:30. When you enter the cafeteria you’ll notice that all the tables have names on them. These are our faculty and each day—beginning Monday at lunch—faculty will host a table for lunch and supper. You are welcome to sit with any faculty member who has room at his/her table.

When supper is over we’ll move to the large group opening session. DiAnn and I will introduce the conference team, go over some announcements and then introduce our first keynote speaker, author Davis Bunn.

At the close of this session, we’ll call up the faculty and introduce them as they’re dismissed to go to the appointment room. There you’ll be able to sign up for two (2) fifteen-minute appointments. These guaranteed appointments are in addition to any paid critiques you may have arranged.

General Schedule

Each morning we’ll begin with a large group session. We’ll have announcements, giveaways, a devotion, praise and worship and wonderful keynote. We’ll end the day with another large group session with the same schedule. These large group sessions are critical. Please work hard not to miss them. Not just because the keynotes are stellar, but because you’ll find out any additional changes or information you may need—like where to order conference recordings.

Special Events

Tuesday: Genre & Book Signing Night

Tuesday is the night of our book signing. It’s also our genre night, so expect a festive atmosphere. Because of those events, the schedule is a little different, so here’s how it will work:

• 4:30 – Classes end and this is when everyone who chooses to participate will dress in their costumes.
• 5:30 – Everyone will go to supper in costume.
• 6:45 – We will gather for large group worship and the keynote.
• After the keynote, we’ll have a parade across the stage with those who participate in the costumes of Genre Night.
• Directly following the parade, we’ll begin the book signing. There will not be time to return to your room between the costume parade and book signing.

The bookstore will remain open during the book signing for attendees to purchase books.

Wednesday: Award Night

Many of us are dressing up for this event. This is NOT mandatory. You’ll see everything from business casual to floor-length formals. But there will be lots of photography and some live shots shared during the event.

We are NOT having a sit-down banquet in conjunction with this event. Our attendance has outgrown our ability to do this—a good thing. Instead, we will be holding the awards ceremony in Spillman Hall and return to Johnson Spring Azalea room for a beautiful dessert buffet and reception. There will also be a venue set up in the room to continue with any pictures you wish to take.

Faculty members do not have assigned tables for this event. You are welcome to sit anywhere you wish.

Here is the detailed schedule for the Awards evening:

5:30-6:30 – supper (faculty members are welcome to leave a little early from supper to get ready)

7:15 – awards ceremony in Spillman

8:45 – Johnson Spring Azalea for the dessert buffet

General Notes:

Lobby Time: this has become a Blue Ridge tradition. After the evening events, faculty and attendees gather in the upper and lower lobbies of Mountain Laurel. It’s a magical time to hang out with the faculty and socialize with other writers.

Clouds Coffee Shop: This wonderful gathering place will be open every day and into the evening. They serve Starbucks coffee, tea, and all kinds of snacks. (Hours will be published  closer to the event)

Meal Time Etiquette: When going through the cafeteria line keep an eye out for faculty. We ask that you let them (sometimes you have to force them) to cut in line. Otherwise they’ll have a table-full of hopeful conferees with no one talk to.

Also remember that there are seven other people at the table who want to talk to that particular faculty member. As exciting as it may be to get to talk, don’t hog the conversation.

15 Minute Appointment Etiquette: We don’t have a regimented feel in our appointment room. We assume we’re all adults and we’ll be respectful of others’ time. This means beginning and ending your 15 minutes on time. If for some reason you’re late for an appointment, you will only have the time remaining. You won’t be allowed to stay longer to make up for lost time.

If someone is lingering beyond their allotted time, move into the sight line of the faculty member and step closer to the appointment table. In this context, this behavior is NOT considered rude, this is the way to make sure you get the time you signed up for.

Chasing Down Faculty: Yes, that does happen. It’s fine to walk to and from class/meals/etc with a faculty member to have some time to talk with them. However it is not acceptable to interrupt phone calls or follow them into the personal facilities.

Book Store: The LifeWay store from Asheville, NC will have an onsite storefront just outside of the appointment room. This is their store. Please do not ask to leave anything there as a giveaway or without talking to one of the conference staff.

Freebie Table: In the back of the large meeting room there will be several tables with free items. These range from magazines to pamphlets to brochures and business cards. You are welcome to take what you need from these tables. You may also add your business cards to the table if you wish.

Conference Recordings: We will again be recording the majority of classes and keynotes. The price of these will be $70. This includes all sessions that are being recorded (a very few have copyright issues and cannot be recorded) and all keynotes. We will ONLY be selling these recordings during the conference TO ATTENDEES. You will not be able to order them later. There will be a table where you can purchase these recordings before and after the large group sessions.

We will accept cash or check—NO credit cards will be accepted.

Conference App: Yes we do have an app. Search for Ridgecrest Events and download it to your smart phone for free. Closer to the conference we’ll have an entire post dedicated to explaining all the cool aspects of this valuable addition to the conference. ADDED NOTE: The conference app is available for download, but won’t go live until closer to the event. Right now they’re working on adding all the massive amounts of info for this year. I’ll publish the blog post about how to use it after it’s up and running.

Be ready for an amazing week. At times you’ll feel like you’re drinking out of a fire hydrant, but the experience—and the friends you’ll make—will be with you for a lifetime!

To make reservations for BRMCWC 2017 please call 1.800.588.7222