General Assembly Venue Offers Advantages
The 77th Church of God International General Assembly (GA18) is set for July 30 – August 3, 2018. The new location of the West Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) will offer some distinct advantages over the South Concourse, the location of the previous General Assemblies of 2010, 2012 and 2014.
As delegates arrive this year the tendency will be to migrate toward the familiar seashell architecture of the South Concourse, but across International Drive is the expansive and versatile, three-level West Concourse of the OCCC. This is the site of GA18.
A portion of the OCCC West Concourse as seen from International Drive (click photo to enlarge)
Delegates walking from nearby hotels can use one of three covered walkways which enter the West Hall from International Drive on the second level, the location of the Chapin Theater, site of the LEAD Conference on Monday, July 30. Commuters and those choosing to drive to the OCCC will arrive on the opposite side. Upon entering West, escalators will take delegates to the second level where they will get a bird’s eye view of the GA18 exhibit hall to the right.
Most of the activities of GA18 will take place on the lower (street) level of the West Concourse. The experience begins on that lower level with registration set to open at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, July 29 for early arrivers. It will be staged in the main entrance lobby and will be open each succeeding day at 8:00 a.m.
Just a few steps down the corridor from registration is the exhibit hall, with over 100 ministries, businesses, and resources for the local church. The exhibit hall opens Monday, July 30 at 9:00 a.m. and runs each day through Friday, August 3, closing at 7:00 p.m. each night in time for the worship services. It will also contain a café at the rear of the hall. Other dining establishments will be located near the registration area and on the second level near the Chapin Theater.
Next door to the exhibit hall is the entrance to the General Council and worship venue. The first activity in this hall begins with the pounding of the gavel by General Overseer Tim Hill on the morning of Tuesday, July 31. General Council sessions, nightly worship services, and the Friday afternoon General Assembly will all be held in this hall. A few steps further down the corridor is the location of a daily prayer meeting.
Virtually all other activities and events will be held in the OCCC as well. The Chapin Theater on the second level is the site for the Monday afternoon LEAD conference and the Junior Talent Competition which begins Wednesday. On the third level is the beautiful Valencia Ballroom, set to host the Women’s event on Wednesday morning and the Lee University Centennial Alumni Celebration on Wednesday night following service. Other events, including reunions, meetings, luncheons, and fellowship gatherings will be listed on the schedule tab at www.ga18.org early next week.
