Making the Session Happen: A Look Behind the Scenes

Toronto 2000. What a contrast it will be to previous General Conference Sessions, especially the last one in Utrecht where we provided housing for about 5,000 attendees. This was done by installing 8 miles (or 14 kilometers) of one-meter panels divide a large warehouse space into dormitories. For the dormitories area, we purchased 2,605 air mattresses, rented 782 single beds, manufactured 868 clothes racks, along with installing 11 yellow cabins or portable bathrooms with showers. This time, however, we are not planning to provide dormitory- type housing in Toronto.

To set up our satellite offices in Utrecht, we rented 153 desks, 38 copiers and fax machines, 301 secretarial chairs, 108 executive chairs, and shipped over 66 desktop computers.

In comparison, our setup in Toronto will include 94 desks, 15 copiers and fax machines, 164 secretarial chairs, 22 executive chairs and 65 desktop computers.

In Toronto, we have obtained the services of Xerox Business Systems to handle our copying needs. With an estimated two million copies to be printed, they will have their hands full. This service will keep us from having to rent the 26 copiers that have been requested. We will only have to provide some convenience copiers from our own inventory.

We have also arranged donations from Baldwin for two grand pianos and a concert organ for the SkyDome stage.

A General Conference National Accounts Partner, National Church Furnishings, will be donating the use of ten platform chairs and the main podium.

The food service in Toronto will be provided by the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. They have made arrangements with Worthington Foods to supply 50 truck loads of frozen vegetarian analog meats for the Session. Should we be taking suggestions on what to do with the leftovers? [Wayne Calbi]