Strength to Stand

FAQ

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What is the cost?

We will be providing some of the most enjoyable, entertaining, and inspiring activities possible during a two-night, three-day event. The conference is priced according to occupancy:

Southeastern Housing:
# per Room Cost per Person
5 $109
4 $109
3 $119
2 $139

Smoky Mountain Standard Housing:
# per Room Cost per Person
5 $109
4 $109
3 $119
2 $139

Deluxe Housing (Smoky Mountain Conference only):
# per Room Cost per Person
4 $139
3 $169
2 $209

*Wilderness Lodge is our deluxe housing package. Please see special prices on the Summary Registration Form. This property is connected to the Sevierville Events Center. Price includes conference, passes to the hotel indoor water-park, free parking and all other hotel amenities (does NOT include continental breakfast).

For persons not staying at a conference hotel, there is a $75 per person conference fee. This rate is not subject to the early-bird discount.

Remember: You may reserve spots at the conference by paying a non-refundable deposit of $50 per person. However, you must be paid in full by October 17, 2011 (SE) or October 31, 2011 (SM) to receive the $20 per person discount.

Southeastern Student Bible Conference registrations postmarked on or before October 17, 2011 will receive a $20 per person discount. Any registrations postmarked after December 6, 2011 will incur a $5 per person late fee. All fees are transferable. Changes must be made known to SDEA no later than 24 hours prior to arrival.

Smoky Mountain Student Bible Conference registrations postmarked on or before October 31, 2011, will receive a $20 per person discount. Registrations postmarked after December 23, 2011 will incur a $5 late fee per person. All fees are transferable. Changes must be made known to SDEA no later than 24 hours prior to arrival.

What are the Alpha and Omega Sessions?

The Smoky Mountain Conference will be divided into two groups, Alpha and Omega. We are using two individual schedules in order to maximize our meeting space. We will try and meet your request for a specific group; however, it is important to remember that everything we do is based on first come, first serve.

What about Snow?

As you know, the conferences will be held in resort cities in the Smoky Mountain regions. As such, snow is not unusual for these areas. The conference will only be canceled in the unlikely event that the roads inside Pigeon Forge are closed for the entire three days of the conference. If an event is hosted as scheduled and your group cancels or reduces numbers due to weather conditions, all payments are non-refundable. If we are unable to host an event due to weather conditions, the $70 registration fee cannot be refunded. Refunds of final balance payments will be made only if properties and/or locations refund SDEA for these costs. For your peace of mind, please know we have never had to cancel an event due to snow.

What is the refund policy?

90-365 days out

SDEA will offer a full refund minus a $40 per person administration fee. No questions asked.

46-89 days out

SDEA will offer a half refund minus $40 per person administration fee.

45 days out

No refunds unless approved by SDEA. The following are acceptable reasons for a refund: (1) A person is unable to attend due to medical conditions. A signed statement from a medical doctor advising the person not to attend the conference must be presented with a letter of request. The letter from the doctor must be written for the sole purpose of requesting the refund and/or the dates of the conference must be mentioned in the time period forbidding travel by the person registered for the conference. If the person is hospitalized on any day of the conference, a letter from the hospital showing the dates of hospitalization shall serve in place of a letter from a medical doctor. (2) Death of an immediate family member. The immediate family shall be defined as parents, step-parents, grandparents, children, step-children, grandchildren, sisters, step-sisters, brothers, step-brothers, aunts or uncles. This policy does not apply to cousins. A copy of the obituary showing the date must be attached to the refund request. In cases where the obituary does not show the family relationship, a letter from a pastor or funeral director handling the services must be attached to the refund request. (3) A person is married to an individual who meets the criteria of (1) or (2) above. (4) The requirement of a governing school body of a registered individual to attend classes. (5) Service on jury duty or active military duty by a registered individual. Documentation of proof of the above situations may be required before a refund will be issued. (6) A pastor or paid church staff member is required to participate in a funeral service during the conference. An obituary, or a letter from a funeral director of officiating minister stating the person's involvement in the funeral must be attached to the refund request. The refund will be minus a $40 per person administration fee.

• Each refund date is counted back from the opening day of each conference.
• The person making the original registration or the designated group leader must make all refund requests.
• The refund check or certificate will be made payable to the party upon whom the original registration check was drawn. No refund can be issued until at least fifteen (15) days after the deposit of the original check.
• All group accounts must be paid in full before refunds can be made to any person in the group. Such refunds shall be credited to the account of the group.
• Rules and regulations are subject to change without notice.
• The conference office must receive any required documentation before the end of thirty (30) days after the close of the conference.
• All refunds will be paid within 30 days after the event.
• All requests for refunds must be in writing and sent to:
  SDEA
  PO BOX 59405
  Birmingham, AL 35259
  info@strengthtostand.com
  205.833.9163

national disaster cancellation policy…

Since SDEA began, we have always followed through with hosting planned events. We are committed to continuing to do so. However, in these uncertain times post-9/11, a national disaster or act of terror could render us both unable to host a planned event and unable to return your deposits. We hire staff, purchase equipment, and rent non-refundable facilities based on your reservations. Please be advised that if a SDEA event is cancelled due to such extraordinary circumstances, we cannot refund the $70 registration fee regardless of other published cancellation dates and deadlines.

How do I register?

Thank you for taking the first step in registering for the Strength to Stand Student Bible Conferences. Due to insurance and safety regulations, special identification badges will be given to all attendees. Have each person attending fill out the proper registration form included on the DVD. They are marked differently for students and counselors. Fill out the summary sheet and group leader agreement for the entire group. Make sure that you include your group’s rooming list with your check. The hotel will not recognize your group as “registered guests” without a completed rooming list. Send all forms, along with one check for your deposit or total amount payable to the Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association, Inc., to:

SDEA
c/o Strength to Stand Student Bible Conference
PO BOX 59405
Birmingham, AL 35259

We will receive confirmations until we reach our maximum capacity of meeting space. You may fax your reservation, including your American Express, Discover, Visa or MasterCard number, to 205.833.9138, or online at www.strengthtostand.com. Please note that credit card charges have a 1.5% surcharge. Any payments received within 30 days of the Conference are ONLY payable by church check, money order, cash, Discover/Visa/MasterCard or American Express.

What about meals?

After the conference fee is paid, the only expense your group will have is meals. You have two options for mealtime:

1. Many fine and fast food restaurants are located within a seven mile radius of the conference center. During designated times for meals, your church will be responsible for your group's transportation to and from the eating establishment.

To see dining options check out the Pigeon Forge Visitor’s website.

The Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association has no involvement with any meal plan.