Table Host Information
Of critical importance to the convention are the dedicated individuals who volunteer to serve as table hosts. At each of the four “seated” meal functions (London Luncheon, Paris Breakfast, St. Petersburg Dinner and Rome Dinner), conventioneers will be seated at tables of ten. You will stay with that same group of diners throughout the convention. The principle role of the table host is to create a friendly environment for all, to introduce tablemates, encourage conversation (the easiest conversation starters, bar none, are “What did you buy today?”, or “What do you collect?”). The host is an Honorary Ambassador for the convention, and it is often his/her thoughtfulness, friendliness and sense of camaraderie that make convention memorable to attendees.
We encourage people who are friendly, outgoing and positive to consider acting as a table host. As a table host, you are required to arrive early at every meal function to assist the convention planners with table and gift preparations. Hosts are responsible for the distribution of convention gifts, and as such, must ensure that all of their conventioneer tablemates are in attendance at each function in order for them to receive the gifts. If any conventioneer is not present at a function, or if there are any extra convention gifts at your table, it is the host’s responsibility to return extra gifts to the Host Chair and/or the Gift Distribution Chair at the end of each function.
You may opt to sign up for your table and tablemates in advance of the convention. You may choose to wait until you arrive and sign up for a table then. Either way, you’ll have a great time.
A word (or two) about TABLE GIFTS. You’re going to hear a lot about this topic. First, you should know that at every meal function, the convention planners have created wonderful gifts for each conventioneer. Those gifts from the convention are the only ones anyone should “expect”. If a table host, or a table guest should decide to give gifts to their tablemates, that’s entirely each individual’s choice.
The 2012 Convention organizers are aware that a lot of time and energy is often spent on table gifts, and we want you to know that this creativity and generosity is welcome! Please feel free to present any table gifts in any manner you wish (including displaying them on the table – they are, after all, table gifts!). We only ask that you refrain from interfering with the table settings by the hotel, in order to allow efficient food service, and that the integrity and view of the convention centerpiece not be affected; otherwise, go for it! We love to see what you’ll come up with.
Since gifts for tablemates are strictly at your discretion, please do not let this affect your decision to become a table host. Again, the real duties of the host are to make everyone comfortable and happy at convention.
Only one person per table is considered the official Convention Host. Should you decide to ask another person or persons at your table to share your duties, only the officially designated person will be acknowledged as the Host by convention.
Thank you for considering this vital convention function.
