TMEA For Newbies!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1a. Where is the Convention Center?
A: 200
East Market Street, San Antonio, Texas
Click Here for a map
Top Back
Home
Q1b. Where do I go when I get there?
A: Go to an
entrance for Exhibit Hall C which will be full of vendors. Each
entrance should have a Taft Raider Band Booster (identifiable by a Taft band
booster shirt or a red shirt). They will direct you to the Hospitality
Room where you will Sign-In and receive your assignment!
Top Back
Home
Q2: What is the "Hospitality Room"?
A: This room is
just for us. It is the room in the convention center from which we will orchestrate our
operations during the convention.
NOTE: All volunteers should SIGN IN
when arriving for your tour of duty and SIGN OUT when
you depart for the day.
Snacks and drinks for us will also be found in the hospitality room.
Top Back
Home
Q3: Where do I park?
A: There are
parking garages around the convention center, but cost several dollars. Note:
The Rivercenter Mall parking garage is close but is one of the most expensive so
it isn't recommended. There will also be FREE parking at one of the
Alamodome lots and TMEA will run a shuttle bus during the most of the day, but
it's just a short walk if you prefer not to wait for the shuttle. The
location of this lot and shuttle hours will be posted here soon.
Click
HERE for a map of parking garages near the Convention Center
Top Back
Home
Q4: Where do I enter the Convention Center?
A: The easiest and
most popular entry is from Market Street. Walk through the Lila Cockrell
Theatre to get tot he Convention Center. NOTE: There is no access to
the convention center from Bowie Street (in fact, one of our duties is usually
to monitor these doors to make sure people don't "slip in" through
that door :-) The hospitality room is usually located in
Exhibit Hall C, but find another Taft Band
Booster at the entrance to Hall B or Hall C when you arrive for directions.
Top Back
Home
Q5: What should I wear?
A: Your Taft Band
Booster Shirt! Or a red shirt if you haven't bought one from the Spirit
group yet Also, you should wear your NISD Band ID. The Taft Band Boosters
have been helping with TMEA for several years and you will find their
members know to look for our shirts!
Top Back
Home
Q6: I understand one of our functions is to monitor access. How will I know who is allowed into the convention?
A: Convention
attendees will wear TMEA badges. There are several levels and colors of
badges. These will be explained in the Hospitality room when you arrive.
Top Back
Home
Q7: Will I be asked questions about the convention and if so, where do I find answers?
A: Yes, attendees
might ask you questions, but they're easy to answer (nothing about music theory
:-). Several copies of the convention program will be
provided to us. One of the most useful pages is the map that shows
locations of vendors. That will answer many questions. We'll
also have radios you can use to call a veteran Taft band booster to ask for
help. Taft Band Boosters tend to be fast learners!
Top Back
Home
Q8: Are we allowed into the vendor area to look around or purchase items?
Q:
Yes! You
are welcome to arrive early for your shift or stay afterward to investigate the
various vendors. There are several hundred, selling everything from
instruments, to music, to fund raising info, instrument cases, T-shirts,
buttons, flags, posters, etc. If it's music related, there's a vendor for
it!
Top Back
Home
Q9: Why do we do this?
A: This is a major fund raiser for
the Taft Band Boosters and it's easy. But it is also an opportunity
to help support the music educators in Texas and the terrific music students
that made it to the All-State groups. You will find a fun atmosphere
during the convention (although parents waiting in line to see their child
perform in an All-State concert Saturday can be a little impatient waiting to
get into the theater :-). Also, did we mention this a MAJOR
fund raiser for the band?!
Top Back
Home
Q10: I have question not answered in Q1-Q9 above. What should I do?