Where to Stay
Staying at the Headquarter Hotel is the only way to go to enjoy all the benefits of being in the middle of the action. When you stay at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, you’ll be able to:

• Network with other delegates
• Get to and from classes easily
• Make new friends and business contacts
• Get more rest! No commute means more time to relax.
• Qualify to help sculpture competitors build their entries.
• Avoid long commutes! Even if you live within a 50-mile radius of Dallas, you’ll face long drive times each day and potentially miss out on some of the fun!

Along with several dining options and other amenities within the hotel, you also have easy access to the Plaza of the Americas, an extensive shopping complex that includes many other dining options, including:

Plus, if you’re a Full-package Delegate, you must have proof of registration at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel (minimum four nights stay required including Saturday night stay) to receive your WBC Grand Gala ticket and admission to the Qualatex Plant Tour.

How to Get There  Back to Top
The Sheraton Dallas Hotel is approximately 5.5 miles from Dallas Love Field and 19.7 miles from Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) airports. Although the hotel does not provide airport shuttles, the following transportation options are available:

Airport Shuttle
The following shuttle services are available at Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and Dallas Love Field airports.

GO Yellow Checker Shuttle

• Airport Shuttle Ride Share Web Tickets
This is a shared ride service, which means that the driver has 25 minutes on airport property from the time the first passenger is placed in the vehicle. There may be other passengers going to various locations.
Cost: $12 per person one way or $24 per person roundtrip with online reservation and pre-payment only

• Exclusive (private, non-stop) Van Service (for up to 10 passengers)
This shuttle leaves as soon as you or your party boards.
Cost: $85 each way (Saves you $35 one way or $70 roundtrip with your online booking.)

• Airport Lincoln Town Car Service Web Tickets
Cost: $74 each way
Discount transportation to and from the Sheraton Dallas Hotel is available for $12 per person, per way fee when you register and prepay at yellowcheckershuttle.com/twbc.

Super Shuttle

DFW - $15.00 one way or $28.00 roundtrip
DAL (Love Field) - $12.00 one way or $22.00 roundtrip
This discount is valid April 10-21, 2010 to/from both airports and the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.
To receive these special WBC rates, please reserve by calling 1-800-258-3826 or booking online at supershuttle.com.
Please reference group code ZLALZ.

Taxi Service
Taxi service at DFW is available on the upper level of Terminals A, B, C, and E, and on the lower level of Terminal D. An Airport Guest Assistant will be available at the taxi stands between 8:00 a.m. and midnight. During these hours, dial 972-574-5878 to request a taxi.

At Dallas Love Field, taxi service is provided on the upper level across the street from the baggage claim wing of the main terminal building.

Rental Cars  
Most major rental car services are available at DFW and Dallas Love Field.

Public Transportation
The hotel is situated on the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) Light Rail Line—light rail services and a fleet of 1,000 buses and vans servicing the Dallas area—making all of Dallas’ most exciting attractions and tourist destinations quick and easy to access. DART is the public transit authority for Addison, Carrollton, Cockrell Hill, Dallas, Farmers Branch, Garland, Glenn Heights, Highland Park, Irving, Richardson, Rowlett, Plano, and University Park. For customer information, contact DART at (214) 979-1111, or visit dart.org.

Parking  Back to Top
Standard parking in the hotel parking garage is $7 per day for delegates staying at the host hotel. Valet parking is also available at both day and overnight rates. Self-pay parking is also available on the streets surrounding the hotel.

Roommate Request  Back to Top
If you’re interested in sharing hotel room costs, the WBC can help. Register for the WBC by March 15, 2010, and fill out the WBC Roommate Request form. Your name will be added to a list of other delegates seeking roommates, and a WBC representative will put prospective roommates in contact with each other. By submitting the WBC Roommate Request form, you automatically consent to having your name and phone number shared with others for the purpose of locating a WBC 2010 roommate.

What to Wear  Back to Top
Enjoy the mild Texas weather! In mid-April, Dallas-area temperatures range from 55ºF/13ºC to 76ºF/24ºC.

Hands-on Workshops: Comfortable work clothes

Classes: Casual, business clothes

Thursday—Costume Party: ‘60s-themed costumes encouraged, but not required.

Saturday—Grand Gala: Semi-formal attire/dress clothes (See Tuxedo Rental below.)

Sunday—Festival of Balloons: Casual, business clothes

What to Bring  Back to Top

• Scissors/pocket knife for hands-on classes
• Camera to record all the great ideas and techniques you’ll learn
• Portfolio and business cards

Note: No video or audio recording is permitted in the classrooms or special events unless authorized by the class instructor and/or WBC on an individual basis.

How to Get Into Classes and Events  Back to Top

• Remember your WBC badge and personal class schedule. You won’t be allowed into any classes, workshops, or special events without it.
• Full-package Delegates will need to present a ticket for entrance into the WBC Grand Gala and the Qualatex Plant Tour.
• Your badge, personal schedule, and ticket(s) will be in your WBC Welcome Packet, which you’ll receive when you register at the WBC registration desk at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.
• There will be a $20 replacement fee for each lost badge and personal schedule.

Keep Business Running Back Home  Back to Top
The Sheraton Dallas Hotel has a full-service business center, 32 complimentary Internet stations, and wireless Internet available in all guest rooms for your convenience. Typical hours for the business center are listed below, however, hours are subject to change. If the business center is closed, please see the front desk for any administrative needs.

Business Center Hours:
Monday-Friday                        7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday                    8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

How to Volunteer  Back to Top
On site, the day-to-day operations of the WBC will be handled by a group of WBC staff members who are there to ensure a positive experience for you. But, there’s always more to do.

We invite you, as a registered WBC delegate, to enhance your convention experience by volunteering in any of the following areas:

• Arrive early and help build the lobby decor on Tuesday, April 13, or one of the crews building an entry for the Large Sculpture competition* on Wednesday, April 14. It’s extremely rewarding, educational, and a great way to make friends before the convention officially starts.
• Get more great hands-on experience when you help build a Signature Sculpture—designed by industry legend Jim Skistimas—on Wednesday and Thursday.
• If you’re interested in working alongside the best in the industry and learning by getting hands-on experience, join us to help construct the decor for the special events anytime on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, as well as Sunday morning.
• What goes up must come down. And after each event, the WBC staff is for grateful to those who will help “strike” the parties.
• Help promote the industry! The Festival of Balloons on Sunday is a large-scale event that’s open to the public, and volunteers are always welcome. Help make fun balloon creations to sell, assist with crowd control, sell tickets, or tear down. Please indicate your interest by selecting the “Festival of Balloons” option in the volunteer section when registering for the event.

Stop by the WBC Registration Desk anytime to see what volunteer opportunities are available.

*Volunteers interested in helping with Large Sculpture competition entries must be fully paid, Full-package Delegates and must be registered at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.

Educational Handbooks  Back to Top
Benefit from all of the WBC classes – even those you can’t attend – with the Educational Handbook. The Educational Handbook is a comprehensive notebook of all WBC instructors’ handouts and notes. (Handouts and class notes will not be distributed in classes and are not included in the basic registration fees.) Be sure to request your copy of the handbook when you register for the WBC. We cannot guarantee availability of extra handbooks on site.

Welcome Packets  Back to Top
You’ll receive your convention welcome packet at the WBC Registration Desk. Your packet will include your WBC badge, personal class schedule, any special event tickets you’ve purchased, and, if you purchased one, your Educational Handbook and polo or t-shirt. You’ll need to wear your badge at all times during the convention and show your personal schedule to gain access to all classes and events. There will be a $20 replacement fee for each lost badge and personal schedule.

Children  Back to Top
Children under the age of 14 will not be allowed in any WBC classes, workshops, or events.

Cancellations
If you must cancel your WBC registration, you will receive a refund minus a $50 service charge before March 31, 2010. Any cancellations after March 31 will be considered on an individual basis and may not qualify for a refund. To cancel your WBC registration, use the "Modify Your Registration" link in your confirmation e-mail, or contact us at info@worldballoonconvention.com or 800-743-9879 (316-685-2266 outside the USA). Competition entry fees are non-refundable.

Note: The WBC reserves the right to refuse admission to any area of the convention at its discretion, including classes, events, and/or competitions.

Where to Stay

How to Get There

Parking

Roommate Referral

What to Wear

What to Bring

Get Into Classes & Events

Keep Business Running Back Home

How to Volunteer

Educational Handbooks

Welcome Packets

Children

Cancellations