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Q: If I enter my data early on September 14th, do I increase the chance my congregational group will be accepted into the Gathering and receive our top hotel choice?
A: No. The Gathering Registration Office has a "priority window" for receiving mailed completed Pastoral Affirmation Forms, Registration Account Forms, and payments. This priority window is (postmarked) October 21 - November 4. Congregations that mail their registration information during the priority window will be given equal opportunity to be accepted and receive preferred hotel choices.

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Q: What is the estimated cost of the Gathering per person?
A: You can use this chart to get an estimate:
Gathering Registration $325.00
Gathering Housing $223.00 Estimated on $125/night +tax/night , 5 nights, 3 per room
Travel to NOLA $275.00 Depends on Mode, etc
Travel in NOLA $50.00 Depends on Mode of Transportation
Food in NOLA $150.00 Minimum $30 per day
Gathering Offering $10.00
Group Special Event $50.00
District Event $50.00
Total (Estimate)

Please note that we are NOT tax exempt in Louisiana as we were in Florida.

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Q:I heard that there is no free parking in New Orleans. What will it cost to park my vehicle(s) at our hotel?
A: Each hotel has different parking rates. You can visit your hotel’s website or call them directly to find out.

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Q: Is the hotel rooming list I submitted in April set in stone?
A: No. Should you need to rearrange who is staying with whom in your hotel rooms, just bring an updated rooming list with you to New Orleans. Please do not contact the Gathering Office with updated lists.

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Q: Our group is traveling with another congregation and we want to maximize space by having our participants share some rooms. How do we fill out the hotel rooming list?
A: The hotels want to know the names of the people that will be staying in each room. If you are traveling with another congregation, it is ok if you include the name of someone on your rooming list that is from the other congregation.

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Q: What will my hotel balance be with all the taxes?
A: The Gathering Office does not have tax rates for the hotels in New Orleans. You can contact your hotel directly and ask them for all the applicable tax rates.

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Q: When and how can I pay my hotel bill?
A: You can pay your hotel bill when you are in New Orleans. The Gathering Office does not recommend paying your full hotel bill ahead of time. Should something happen and all or part of you group needs to leave a day early or come a day later, it can be very difficult to get a refund.
The hotels will take a check, a credit card, or both. If paying by credit card, it does not have to be the same one you used for your hotel deposit.

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Q: I just now realized that our arrival/departure date is incorrect. How do I take care of this?
A: You can contact your hotel directly to make those changes. Have your congregation ID number and any confirmation numbers from the hotel available when you call. There is no need to contact the Gathering Office.

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Q: How do I change the number of rooms we need at our hotel?
A: Contact the Gathering Office at 800-248-1930 x1155 before July 9th. The hotels will only accept those kinds of changes from the Gathering Office. If you have a last minute change (after July 9th), you can do contact your hotel directly, but be prepared for additional charges.