“A Picture is Worth…”

Our next few posts will be dedicated to the task of finding the perfect artwork or graphic for your event…not the easiest task, but important, none the less.  The artwork or graphics used for your event or retreat can be the thread that ties everything to your theme.  The image you select will not only be used on booklets, name tags, and other handouts at the retreat.  It can also used on flyers, signage and other promotional material.  Often, your graphic will be the inspiration of your decorations.  The image speaks volumes on its own and helps to develop the theme of the event.

Choosing a graphic is usually something that happens after prayerful consideration of the event theme.  Sometimes the Lord will put a picture on your heart, or the theme itself suggests a picture.  For instance, the theme for our retreat based on James 1:17 was “Every Good and Perfect Gift” and we found a graphic picturing a single box wrapped with a bow.  The graphic was used on our name tags, booklets, the registration form and other promotional material.  Decorations for the retreat were large wrapped presents all around the room.  No one left that retreat without the visual memory of a beautifully wrapped present symbolizing that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of Lights.

The Advantages of Group Check-In

For some reason, no matter how carefully we check for accuracy, there always seem to be some rooming issues that come up when women arrive at the retreat.  When we hold our retreat at a hotel (as opposed to a retreat center), our preference is “group check-in”.  Group check in is when the hotel gives us all the keys, and then we distribute them to the women.  This gives us the opportunity to check the accuracy of the rooming before the keys are given to the ladies.  The goal is to have all rooming issues resolved before any of the women get their keys.

Once we have the keys, we carefully check each room.  This check may require that we run up to the room and make sure that is is correct.  What do we check?

• We make sure the room assignments are correct, regarding room size, bed size, etc.  Two women who have requested two separate beds will not be happy to see a room with one king-sized bed;
• If there is supposed to be a rollaway in the room, we make sure it is there (since only rooms of a certain size can accommodate a rollaway, due to fire code, a room change may be required);
• If a suite has been paid for, we make sure that the room assigned is a suite;
• If ladies have requested adjoining rooms, we check that the room are truly adjoining;
• We check that any other special requests (disability, etc.) have been met.