Helpful Information

Hotel Accommodations: The Holiday Inn Airport Conference Center in Little Rock will be providing a discounted rate of $99.23 per night (tax included), and will honor this rate for 2010 National Gathering guests from July 5 -14, 2010.  Please, make your reservation early and directly with the hotel at 501-490-1000 or 800-HOLIDAY.  June 17 is the deadline to book hotel reservations at the discounted rate.   Check out their website details at www.hilittlerockairport.com.

The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle to and from the Little Rock National Airport and to several downtown attractions.  If you need any assistance with your hotel reservations, please contact your Gathering hosts.

Meals: Total Meal Plan (Fri-Sun) is $132.00.  Prices include gratuity. Individual meals will be offered, as well as a children’s menu for $78.00 - see the registration form for the details.  Please advise us of any special dietary needs.  We are going to have some outstanding speakers at the conclusion of each meal.  All attendees are invited to join us right after the meals, to hear the special speakers.  Admission to the Kittyhawk Ballroom will be opened after the meals are served.

Workshops: A large variety of workshops are offered, in a structured setting designed to address specific topics by a presenter, and is also a time of learning and sharing.  If you are interested in presenting a workshop click here.

A Special Workshop / Book Discussion: This year, we will be having a book discussion / workshop addressing the book “The Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold.  Please read this book before the Gathering and join in this interesting workshop discussion.

Bookstore: The Centering Corporation will provide a complete bookstore with a vast variety of material including books, CD’s and DVD’s, many authored by our speakers, workshop presenters and entertainers who will be available to autograph them for you at a designated time.

The Hospitality Area serves as a social gathering spot for snacks and beverages, a place to take a break from the busy schedule and catch your breath while you visit with other bereaved families from across the USA.

Reflection Room is a peaceful and serene room to reflect while you listen to music.  Paper will be provided to write your
thoughts and messages to your loved one. Special plans are being made for those messages to our children.

The Butterfly Boutique will offer many lovely items for sale with butterflies, angels motifs and other themes, and also items with a local flair. There will be a terrific Silent Auction and Raffle held on Saturday.  Please send any items you wish to donate to the Butterfly Boutique in memory of your child, to:   Kathy Irwin, 128 Delight Lane, Royal, AR 71968. If you have any questions, contact the boutique chairperson, Toni Holohan at 479-474-9773 or hoopihan@aol.com

Table Favors: If you or your chapter would like to donate small table favor gifts in memory of your child(ren), we need approximately 300 pieces per meal. Anything is much appreciated.  Please send them to Jerri Miller, 1925 E. Lee Ave., Sherwood, AR 72120, or call her at 501-835-6044 to discuss what they are and bring them with you.

Picture Buttons:  We will have a picture button maker at the Gathering.  You can pre-order a picture button by sending a 3" picture and $3.00 with your Registration Form.  If ordered at the Gathering, the price will be $4.00. Bring or send as many copies of 3" pictures as you want to be made into buttons. If you want 3 buttons, send or bring 3 pictures.

Memorial Templates: Enclosed in your packet is our DIAMOND template to decorate.  Be creative!!! Bring it with you to sparkle up our display area with our beloved children, our precious gems!! Put your child’s name and dates on the front.  Please include your name, address, telephone, and e-mail on the back if you want to exchange them at the end of the Gathering to create a pen pal in another state.  The DIAMOND template is also available to download and print. Everyone can send in a Diamond to the Gathering for your child(ren), sibling, or grandchild(ren).

Attention Chapter Leaders: Our annual leadership luncheon and training sessions will take place on Thursday, July 8th, the day before the start of the annual Gathering.  The luncheon and training is open to anyone who is active in a BP/USA chapter leadership role but you MUST PRE-REGISTER for the luncheon and training classes.  Please see the BP/USA website www.bereavedparentsusa.org for all the details, schedule and specific information on how to register online for the Thursday activities.