I am headed out the door to the International Festival and wanted to pass along a few hints to those wanting to attend events this weekend.

• There is a Wachovia ATM just inside the main entrance (Salisbury Street) to the Convention Center (turn right)
• Try parking in the base of the Marriott. The easiest approach is to head downtown on Capital Blvd, which magically becomes Dawson St. Proceed onward and notice the shimmer wall on the left (That’s the rear of the convention center). Just after the best shimmer wall view, turn left onto poorly-labeled Lenoir Street (just before the RR overpass). Proceed 1.5 blocks, and turn left into the Parking entrance for the Marriott. (map it)  Get the first space you can find. Just after passing through the deck’s ticketing area, you’ll see the desired convention center/hotel entrance. Once inside, turn left to go to the convention center and right to ascend into the Marriott. Here’s a hint: ride the elevator up to the Marriott. The very urban view is dramatic! The subterranean access straight into the convention center is an enormous benefit on rainy days. (returned – coast is clear. This deck is the way to go)
• Parking is $7 “for the event” – cash up front …or… $3/hr up to $12 – pay as you leave with cash or credit card.
• Food selection is very impressive. I like the Egyptian food most.
• Convention Exhibition hall is probably 60% 63% the size of Atlanta’s World Congress Center room #1 when it is configured for a dental convention that draws 25,000 people, but is much more convenient. Not as much walking and better bathroom placement.
• No signage exists to get you back to the parking deck. Drop popcorn from your car into the convention center. In fact, signage is extremely poor throughout the Convention Center, parking deck, and Marriott.
• Be sure to ascend the lobby escalators to see the 33,000 square foot ballroom. Excellent space!
• The convention center has free WiFi.
• Admission to the International Festival is free.
• Programs are available at the base of the escalator, but they do not really map out where the countries’ booths are.
• Where is that giant Sir Walter that the man carved in North Hills Mall in 1976? It would be a perfect addition to the convention center.

Follow future hints on my Twitter feed. Have any hints? Feel free to add them in the Comments section.