Special Events
Important Information
Registration will begin September 2017.
The registration fee is $130.00 U.S. if received by December 31, 2017; $165.00 U.S. if received between January 1 and May 31, 2018; and $195.00 U.S. June 1 through the event.
There are Al-Anon meetings in the Baltimore area that are open to everyone. However, the International Convention is a paid event. The registration fee helps to cover the expenses of the event, so that the Convention will be self-supporting.
Travel agency checks for multiple registrations will not be accepted. When groups of people using two or more rooms wish to be housed in the same hotel, they must return a separate Housing Form for each room (for groups registering online, reserve rooms online). Please note your party’s name on the Housing Form. Send all Housing forms in the same envelope. The housing company will do its best to accommodate you. There are no guarantees. Make your reservations early.
All registration cancellations must be made in writing. Refunds will be made only upon receipt of your written request enclosing your badge(s), and if received by May 31, 2018. No exceptions. There is a $25.00 U.S. administrative processing fee for cancellations, which will be deducted from the refund. Allow six weeks for processing. Written requests and badges should be mailed to:
2018 Al-Anon/Alateen International Convention
RCS
1833 Portola Rd, Suite D
Ventura, CA 93003
- Registration payment must accompany all mailed or faxed registration forms.
- Mailed pre-registration forms must be received by December 31, 2017, in order to receive the registration rate of $130.00 U.S.; and must be received by May 31, 2018 in order to receive the registration rate of $165.00 U.S. The registration fee June 1, 2018 through Convention is $195.00 U.S.
- Any changes to registration information already processed must be made in writing before May 31, 2018, or on-site. All changes must be made by the current registration on file. No charges will be assessed for corrections to badge information excluding Transfers (see below).
- Transfers made will be subject to a $25.00 U.S. administrative processing fee. You must have the original attendee’s badge to make on-site transfers
- Replacement of lost or forgotten badges will be subject to a $60.00 U.S. reprint fee. Your badge will be mailed to you if you register by (need date)—remember to bring it to Baltimore.
- Registration questions? Call 757-563-1600.
- Convention related questions? Visit al-anon.org/international, e-mail al-anoninternationalconvention@al-anon.org, or call 757-563-1600.
No. You will need to register first in order to make your housing reservations.
Attendees will receive information regarding hotel rooms after registering for the Convention and may also click this link to view the hotel block. If you register online, you will be directed to the Housing Site once you complete your registration. If you register via postal mail, you will receive housing information in the mail with your registration confirmation information.
Please note: the Baltimore Hilton and the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor are connected to the Baltimore Convention Center. The Baltimore Hilton is connected by a covered sky bridge and is handicap accessible.
Receiving credit for the room block will lower overall costs and make Al-Anon Family Groups more credible for future International Conventions. In order for Al-Anon Family Groups to receive credit toward the room block, we ask that you use the Housing Reservation system—online or when you receive it in the mail.
Hotel rates range from $129.00 U.S. per night to $189.00 U.S. per night plus applicable taxes. Hotel rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are registering via surface mail or fax, once your registration form and payment have been received, you will receive housing information by the same method that you used to register. If you register online, a link to the Housing Reservation Web site will be available after you complete the registration process. You will be then be able to complete your hotel reservation online. Check the Housing Form/Reservation Web site for details on hotel cancellations.
The Planning Committee is working to secure low cost dormitory housing. Please check back for an update soon.
Yes, Alateen has scheduled a variety of daytime workshops on Friday and Saturday that Alateens 12 through 19 wearing Convention badges may attend. Children ages 9 through 11 may also attend Alateen workshops. Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service (AMIAS) who are currently certified by their Area will serve as Sponsors for the Alateen workshops. A special identification for the Convention Badge will be given out at the workshops indicating this service position.
Alateens age 12 and over must register. Alateens 12 through 19 wearing Convention badges may attend Alateen workshops. Children ages 9 through 11 may also attend Alateen workshops (you do not need to pay the registration fee for children ages 9 through 11).
There will be two “open” Alateen workshops, which may be attended by anyone with a Convention Badge. The remaining Alateen workshops are “closed,” and only registered Alateens and the WSO-assigned Alateen Group Sponsors may attend.
Children ages 9 through 11 may attend Alateen workshops.
A.A. meetings will be held during the day at the Sheraton Inner Harbor on Friday and Saturday at the same time as the Al-Anon and Alateen workshops.
Members of A.A., as well as all International Convention attendees, are welcome to attend the Big Meetings on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday morning.
Al-Anon workshops, Alateen workshops, and A.A. meetings will be held during the day on Friday and Saturday.
The Big Meetings—all International Convention attendees are welcome—will be held on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday morning.
All workshops and Big Meetings will be held at the Baltimore Convention Center.
Volunteers to chair workshops and to share during the workshops will be selected from those who register for the International Convention and who fill out the Volunteer form, which will be included with the registration confirmation information.
Speakers will be selected from those who register for the International Convention and who fill out the Volunteer form, which will be included with the registration confirmation information.
Al-Anon, Alateen, and A.A. sessions will be recorded. Audio recordings of the workshops and Big Meetings will be available for purchase in Baltimore during the Convention.
It is an opportunity to connect with staff members and volunteers from the World Service Office in a variety of Al-Anon workshops and meetings. The “Day of Connecting” is a separate event taking place during the day on Thursday, July 5th, before the Convention starts.
Yes, however, please note that there is a separate registration fee for this separate event.
No. There is a separate registration fee of US $ 40.00 if received before May 31, 2018 and US $ 45.00 if received between June 1 and the day of the event.
The parade is a celebration of joy and gratitude reflecting our worldwide fellowship of Al-Anon Family Groups.
The parade will take place on Friday evening at the beginning of the Big Meeting.
Information regarding the Language of Love Parade will be available in the spring of 2018. Please note that in order to march in the parade, you must sign up to march. Participation is limited and will be based on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Pioneer Luncheon is a special, ticketed-event luncheon to celebrate our history.
Everyone who registers for the Convention—whether they have been in the program for one day or for 60 years—is invited to purchase a ticket for the Pioneer Luncheon.
When you register for the International Convention, there will be an opportunity to purchase a ticket. Please note that seating is limited. The deadline for purchasing a Pioneer Luncheon ticket is May 31, 2018. No tickets will be sold at the door.