ORLANDO, Fla. (BP)–Transportation services are in place for messengers attending the Southern Baptist Convention’s June 13-14 annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.
Meanwhile, an emergency telephone number for the message center at the SBC annual meeting has been secured — at (407) 685-5000 — to be operational Sunday, June 11.
And, in final arrangements for the annual meeting, convention planners announced that Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood will bring the “welcome,” replacing Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who is unable to be present.
Transportation services will be available to and from the Orlando airport and between various hotels and the Orange County Convention Center where the SBC annual meeting and related meetings will be held.
Airport shuttles will be available through Mears Motor Shuttle for a discount price of $19 roundtrip. The discount coupon can be printed from the SBC Internet site, www.sbc.net. The coupon also was printed in the April issue of SBC Life, journal of the SBC Executive Committee.
Limited hotel shuttles to the convention center will run on Sunday afternoon and evening as a courtesy to transport messengers to the SBC registration center and the information area where shuttle tickets for the duration of the convention will be available for $10. Children under 12 will ride free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Monday through Wednesday, a ticket will be required to board a shuttle.
No shuttle service will be available for the Omni and Peabody hotels, which are within walking distance to the convention center.
In addition to hotel shuttles, an “I-Ride Trolley” will be operational at a $1 charge along International Drive during the meeting, although its service and availability may be limited.
Messengers driving to the convention will be able to park in the main parking area directly behind the convention center. Parking lot shuttles will transport messengers from the parking area to the convention center. Parking rates are $7 daily for cars and $10 for larger vehicles. There are no in/out privileges for the parking lot. Vehicles may be parked all day but cannot be left overnight.
In other arrangements for the SBC annual meeting, planners have noted that Billy Kim, president of the Baptist World Alliance, will not be able to present the BWA’s report to the convention and will be replaced by the group’s general secretary, Denton Lotz.
