August News

There are just over 2 weeks to go till this years' Fair at Claudelands. Have you booked your accommodation? any tours?

Our new followers might like to check the seminar and presenters listings on our website to help plan their attendance at the Fair.

EXHIBITORS

While we are still getting enquiries from those wishing to exhibit, we have a current listing for you, showing all the stand holders confirmed to date, all of whom you can expect to see over the 2 days of the 2011 Fair.

http://bit.ly/nzexh

OTHER NEWS

Many thanks to The Southern Trust for their financial support of a donation of $5,000 towards the cost of the seminar audio visual equipment. 

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT AT THE FAIR

• There will be a printed programme with a plan of the Exhibition Hall (52 Stand holders at the time of writing this newsletter) and Seminar ticket sales area available on the day at the Fair.
• A goodies bag for the first 2,000 ticket holders arriving each day, along with information about various special offers from Stand holders.
• Door prizes of subscriptions to various genealogy services will be drawn each afternoon around 3:30pm for those present in the Hall at the time of the draw, there will also be an overall prize to all those entering the door prize over the two days of the Fair.
• Complimentary introductory presentations will be in the NZSG Theatre, located next to the Cafe at the rear of the Exhibition Hall.
• Food  the Cafe area and a coffee cart - tea, coffee and food available throughout the day, you are also welcome to BYO.
• Net Cafe various pay for view or member only, online sites are providing complimentary access for visitors to the Fair. 12 computers are being provided thanks to PB Tech of Hamilton.
• Parking - on Friday and Saturday entry is via Gate 4. Exhibitors please note that prior to the Fair on Thursday your entry is via Gate 3, see the bottom of this page on the Claudelands site for a map.
• Igovt are back again this year with their identity verification service, please book ahead to make a time to do this.
• Items FOR SALE, many stand holders will have things for sale ranging from books and cd's, through to magazine and online subscriptions and computers and technical accessories. Many but not all will take credit cards.
• Fair Information, volunteers will be at our Information booth if you need help finding your way around
• Internet access, if you wish to bring a laptop or netbook with you and would like net access, you can buy an Internet access card for $10 per computer per day from our Information Booth.

WHO TO BRING

How many of us first became interested in our family history when we were at Intermediate School? Do you have any Young Genies in your family? This year children 15 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. The Young Genies stand has plenty of activities so if you've got children who are interested then bring them along.

and also......

Wondering what the venue looks like? Check out the floor plan. Hall A is the exhibition area, food cafe, Net Cafe and NZSG Theatre. Access to all this area and services is covered by your entry ticket. The Heaphy Pre-function area is where the day seminar tickets are being sold and where the pre-paid evening seminar tickets can be picked up.

Heaphy 1 & 2 are the two big seminar rooms. Brooklyn 1 & 2, the smaller rooms, are upstairs. igovt is also upstairs. There is a lift as well as stair access. There will be a printed floor plan in the Fair programme available at the door.

We have had some queries about purchasing tickets to the daytime seminars. In fairness to everyone, these can only be purchased at the Fair itself.

Although the Exhibition Hall does not open until 9am the Seminar Sales area will be open from 8.30am each day. Volunteers will be selling the tickets, via cash and eftpos. (please note credit card facilities are not available for buying these tickets)

Those who have pre-purchased their entry tickets and who arrive before 9am, have the advantage of being fast tracked into the Heaphy pre-function area where they can buy their day seminar tickets. So do think about pre-purchasing your entry tickets so you can have plenty of time to select and buy your day seminars before the Exhibition Hall doors open at 9am!

For those going to be at the Fair for both days, you will be able to buy all your seminar tickets at once. Remember you can check out the seminars prior to coming to the Fair, on our website http://bit.ly/nzfhfsp

The Fair Ticketing Office in the concourse area outside the Exhibition Hall will be open from 8:30am for those who prefer to buy their entry tickets on the day. Payment at the Fair Ticketing Office by cash or eftpos only. Please note: your credit card can be used only for purchasing online tickets through Ticketek. Those who purchase their entry tickets before 9am will also be able to enter the Seminar Sales area before the Exhibition Hall doors open.
    
That covers all our latest news, do pass the word on to those family, friends and co-workers who you think might be interested.

This week Sandra is being interviewed by Jim Sullivan for his Sounds Historical show on Radio National, hear her this Sunday night, 14th August sometime between 8 and 10pm

If you prefer to see us in the flesh, both Sandra and I will be speaking in Auckland at the FRC from 1pm on Sunday 14th August at the Irish Interest Group meeting in Panmure.

Keep an eye out for our advertisements in the latest issues of The NZ Genealogist, NZ Memories, Australian Family Tree Connection and Inside History.

Do drop us an email if you have any questions.

See you in a couple of weeks...

Michelle aka patientgenie
for NZ's Family History Fair